Respiratory Examination

 

Respiratory Examination

Table of contact  

1. Inspection 

-list Normal finding

2. Auscultation 

list Normal finding

3. Palpation

list Normal finding

4. Parcation 

list Normal finding

Let's go through each step of a respiratory examination and discuss the normal findings for each.

1. Inspection:

During inspection, you would observe the 

• rate, 
• rhythm, and 
• depth of the patient's breathing.

Normal findings may include 

• regular respiratory rate (12-20 breaths per minute), 
• symmetric chest wall movement, and 
• no visible signs of respiratory distress such as flaring nostrils or use of accessory muscles.

2. Auscultation:

Auscultation involves using a stethoscope to listen to breath sounds in different areas of the lungs. Normal findings may include vesicular breath sounds over most of the lung fields, with bronchial breath sounds heard over the trachea.

3. Palpation:

During palpation, you would use your hands to assess the chest wall for 

• Tenderness, 
• Crepitus, or 
• Abnormal masses.

Normal findings may include 

• Symmetrical  expansion of the chest during inspiration and
• No areas of tenderness or abnormal lumps.

4. Percussion:

Percussion is the tapping of the chest wall to produce sounds that indicate the underlying tissue density. Normal findings may include 

• Resonant sounds over lung fields and dullness over areas such as the liver or heart.