Chest examination: What should be noted?

Following points should be noted during examination of chest:

1.Points to note on Inspection of the chest

a.Shape-size of the chest

b.Skin condition with scar marks

c.chest deformity

e.respiratory rate

f.respiratory pattern

e.features of breatlessness

        

2.Points to note on palpation of the chest

a. Swelling

b.Pain and tenderness

c.Tracheal position

d. Cardiac impulse

e. Asymmetry

f. Tactile vocal fremitus

3.Points to note on percussion of the chest

a.Resonance

b. Dullness

c.Pain and tenderness

4.Points to note on auscultation of the chest

a.Vesicular breath sounds

b.Bronchial breath sounds

c. Vocal fremitus and resonance:

         – whispering pectoriloquy

         – aegophony

d. Added sounds:

          – pleural rub

          – wheezes

          – crackles