Respiratory chest examination

Question 1

look

Answer 1

short of breath
work of breathing
accessory muscle use, able to converse.
Respiratory rate.
Shape and symmetry of chest.
Movement of chest upon inspiration and expiration.
Scars – anterior, posterior, lateral, axillae.

Question 2

palpate

Answer 2

Feel trachea for signs of deviation.
Assess chest expansion with hands positioned symmetrically – anterior and posterior.

Question 3

percuss

Answer 3

Percuss both lung fields, starting at apices, then moving inferiorly. Compare sides by percussing the left side of the chest and the right side of the chest at the same levels.
Percuss all areas – anterior, posterior, lateral.
Note any dullness or hyper-resonance of lung fields.

Question 4

auscultate

Answer 4

Auscultate both lungs, starting at apices, then moving inferiorly.
Compare sides by auscultating the left side of the chest and the right side of the chest at the same levels.
Listen to the full inspiration-expiration cycle at each level, noting air entry, breath sounds, character, and any added sounds.
Auscultate all areas – anterior, posterior, lateral.

Question 5

tests

Answer 5

vocal resonance
tactile vocal remits