Respiratory Exam Flashcards
When taking a history consider…
Age Smoker? Chronic disease Wheeze Stridor Cyanosis
What does finger clubbing indicate?
Bronchiectasis COPD Cystic fibrosis Lung cancer Abscess
What does a positive test for flapping tremor indicate?
Carbon dioxide retention
What does fine tremor indicate?
Use of salbutamol
What does central cyanosis indicate?
Hypoxaemia
What does oral candidiasis indicate?
Fungal infection : steroid inhaler usage (asthma)
Median sternotomy scar indicates
Cardiac valve replacement and artery bypass grafts
What does axillary thoracotomy scar indicate? (Between 4th and 5th intercostal)
Chest drains
Posterolateral thoracotomy scar indicates
Lobectomy, pneumonectomy and oesophageal surgery
What does an infraclavicuar scar indicate?
Pacemaker insertion
Name radiotherapy associated skin changes
Xerosis
Hyperkeratosis
Depigmentation
What does dullness upon percus indicate?
Increased tissue density Cardiac dullness Consolidation Tumour Lobar collapse
What does stony dullness indicate?
Pleural effusion
What does hyper resonance indicate?
Pneumothorax
What does increased volume of tactile fremitus indicate?
Increased tissue density
What does decreased volume in tactile fremitus indicate?
Presence of fluid or air outside of the lung
Respiratory causes of lymphadenopathy
Lung cancer with metastases
Tuberculosis
Sarcoidosis
Give 9 further investigations after a respiratory exam
Oxygen sats Temperature blood pressure Sputum sample Peak flow CXR Arterial blood gas Supplemental oxygen CVS exam
What does wheeze indicate?
COPD
Asthma
What does stridor indicate?
Subglottic stenosis (narrowing of the airway below vocal cords)
