Respiratory examination

The Respiratory examination (pronounced: res-pi-ra-tory ex-am-in-a-tion) is a type of physical examination where a healthcare professional examines the respiratory system to identify any potential abnormalities.

Etymology

The term "Respiratory examination" is derived from the Latin word "respirare" which means "to breathe" and the Latin word "examinare" which means "to investigate".

Procedure

The Respiratory examination typically involves four stages: inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.

Inspection involves visually examining the patient's chest for any visible abnormalities such as cyanosis, dyspnea, or tachypnea.
Palpation involves the healthcare professional physically feeling the chest to assess for any abnormalities in the chest wall or underlying lung tissue.
Percussion involves tapping on the chest wall to assess the quality of the sounds produced, which can provide information about the underlying lung tissue.
Auscultation involves listening to the sounds made by the lungs during breathing using a stethoscope.

Related Terms

Physical examination: A comprehensive examination of a patient's body to determine their overall health status and identify any potential medical issues.
Cyanosis: A bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to a lack of oxygen in the blood.
Dyspnea: Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Tachypnea: Rapid breathing.
Stethoscope: A medical instrument used to listen to the sounds produced by the heart, lungs, and other organs in the body.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Respiratory examination
Wikipedia's article - Respiratory examination

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Respiratory examination