Basic Examination of the Respiratory System

General Inspection

• Breathlessness?
• Discomfort?
• Pain?
• Chest shape/movements
• Scars
• Deformities
• Use of accessory muscles

Hands

• Flapping tremor
• Warmth
• Tar staining
• Clubbing
• Radial pulse (and respiratory rate)

Face

• Central cyanosis
• Conjunctivae - anaemia
• Tracheal position
• JVP
• Cervical lymphadenopathy

Chest

• Surgical emphysema
• Apex beat
• Chest expansion

Percussion

• Like with like anteriorly and laterally
• Vocal fremitus?

Auscultation

• Like with like anteriorly and laterally
• Vocal resonance?

Same on the back

Other

• Ankle oedema
• Sputum pot
• Obs charts
• Peak flow