Chronic bronchitis physical examination
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Chronic bronchitis Microchapters |
Diagnosis |
Treatment |
Case Studies |
Chronic bronchitis physical examination On the Web |
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Chronic bronchitis physical examination |
Risk calculators and risk factors for Chronic bronchitis physical examination |
Overview
Physical exam
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Microchapters |
Differentiating Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from other Diseases |
---|
Diagnosis |
Treatment |
Case Studies |
Chronic bronchitis physical examination On the Web |
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Chronic bronchitis physical examination |
Directions to Hospitals Treating Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
Risk calculators and risk factors for Chronic bronchitis physical examination |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]; Philip Marcus, M.D., M.P.H. [3]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [4]
Overview
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be diagnostically evaluated by physical examination through auscultation.
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.
General physical examination
- Cyanosis
- Tachypnea
- 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)
- Elevated jugular venous pulse (JVP)
- Peripheral edema can be observed.
Pulmonary system
Inspection
- Hyperinflation (barrel chest)
Percussion
- Hyperresonance
Auscultation
- Prolonged expiration; wheezing
- Diffusely decreased breath sound
- Additional sounds - coarse crackles with inspiration
Specific features of Chronic bronchitis
- General appearance: Overweight
- Coarse rhonchi
- Signs of right heart failure or cor pulmonale such as edema and cyanosis can be seen.
Specific features of emphysema
- General appearance: Pursed lips, adopting a tripod position, using accessory muscles.
- Thin patient with barrel chest
- Barrel chest may cause distant heart sound