Chronic bronchitis physical examination
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be diagnostically evaluated by physical examination through auscultation. Physical examination are quite specific and sensitive for severe disease. The signs are usually difficult to detect in cases of mild to moderate diseases. Findings on general physical examination can be cyanosis, tachypnea, use of accessory respiratory muscles, paradoxical indrawing of lower intercostal spaces is evident (known as the Hoover sign), elevated jugular venous pulse and peripheral edema. Pulmonary examination in can be barrel chest (emphysema), wheezing, hyperresonance, crackles and rhonchi
Physical Examination
Physical examination are quite specific and sensitive for severe disease. The signs are usually difficult to detect in cases of mild to moderate diseases.
Appearance of the Patient
- General appearance: Overweight
- Cyanosis
Vital Signs
Respiratory Rate
Head
- Elevated jugular venous pulse (JVP)
Lungs
Inspection
- Respiratory distress indicated by use of accessory respiratory muscles. Hoover sign presenting as paradoxical indrawing of lower intercostal spaces is evident (known as the Hoover sign)
Auscultation
- Prolonged expiration; wheezing
- Diffusely decreased breath sound
- Additional sounds - coarse crackles with inspiration, coarse rhonchi