what we find on respiratory physical examination
During a respiratory physical examination, a healthcare provider may observe and assess several aspects related to the respiratory system. This can include:
1. Inspection: The provider may visually inspect the patient's chest and observe for any abnormal breathing patterns, such as rapid or shallow breathing, use of accessory muscles, nasal flaring, or cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the lips, fingers, or skin). They may also observe for any visible masses or deformities.
2. Palpation: The healthcare provider may use their hands to feel for tenderness, masses, or abnormalities in the chest. They may also assess for any unequal expansion of the chest during deep breaths.
3. Percussion: By tapping on different areas of the chest, the provider can assess the quality of sound produced and determine if there are areas of consolidation or dullness. Normal lung tissue should produce resonant sounds, while areas of consolidation (such as in pneumonia) may produce dull or flat sounds.
4. Auscultation: Using a stethoscope, the provider listens to the sounds produced during breathing. They may assess for normal breath sounds (vesicular breath sounds) which are heard over most of the lung fields, as well as abnormal breath sounds such as crackles (rales), wheezes, rhonchi, or decreased/absent breath sounds. These findings can provide information about the presence of conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis, or lung disease.
In addition to these physical examination findings, other diagnostic tests like spirometry, chest X-rays, or blood tests may also be used to further evaluate the respiratory system.