Respiratory Examination - Clinical Skills
Oxford Medical Education・2 minutes read
The respiratory system examination involves patient introduction, positioning, and inspection for signs like clubbing and cyanosis, checking chest wall and listening to breath sounds, concluding with neck palpation, lateral expansion measurement, and assessing for peripheral edema and DVT.
Insights
- The initial steps of a respiratory system examination involve patient consent, proper positioning, and thorough inspection for various physical signs related to respiratory health.
- Detailed examination steps include assessing clubbing, cyanosis, muscle wasting, chest wall abnormalities, and signs of CO2 retention, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to diagnosing respiratory conditions.
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Recent questions
How should a respiratory system examination begin?
The respiratory system examination should start with hand washing, patient introduction, permission, pain inquiry, and ensuring privacy, exposure, and correct positioning.
What signs should the doctor look for during the examination?
The doctor should inspect the patient for signs of clubbing, cigarette stains, peripheral cyanosis, and muscle wasting in the hands. Additionally, they should check for CO2 retention signs, tracheal deviation, jugular venous pressure, and facial plethora.
What areas of the body should be examined during a respiratory system examination?
During a respiratory system examination, the doctor should assess the chest wall for scars, deformities, and breathing patterns, measure chest expansion, feel for heartbeats, percuss and listen to breath sounds. The examination should also include palpation of neck lymph nodes, back inspection, lateral expansion measurement, and checking for peripheral edema and DVT signs in the legs.
What position should the patient be in for a respiratory system examination?
The patient should be seated at a 45° angle and exposed to the waist for the examination.
What is the importance of ensuring privacy during a respiratory system examination?
Ensuring privacy during a respiratory system examination is crucial as it helps the patient feel comfortable and respected. It also allows the doctor to conduct a thorough examination without any distractions or interruptions, ensuring accurate assessment and diagnosis.
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Summary
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Respiratory System Examination: Steps and Findings
- The respiratory system examination should start with hand washing, patient introduction, permission, pain inquiry, and ensuring privacy, exposure, and correct positioning.
- The patient should be seated at a 45° angle and exposed to the waist for the examination.
- The doctor inspects the patient for signs of clubbing, cigarette stains, peripheral cyanosis, and muscle wasting in the hands.
- Examination includes checking for CO2 retention signs, tracheal deviation, jugular venous pressure, and facial plethora.
- The doctor assesses chest wall for scars, deformities, and breathing patterns, measures chest expansion, feels for heartbeats, percusses and listens to breath sounds.
- The examination concludes with palpation of neck lymph nodes, back inspection, lateral expansion measurement, and checking for peripheral edema and DVT signs in the legs.
