Respiratory Assessment

History Taking Clinical Assessment Interpretation of

Findings Implantation of a Plan

DARREN HIRD – NURSE PRACTITIONER

Respiratory Assessment

The respiratory system is essential for life.

Normal lung function requires a balanced interrelationship among the respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems.

Six important respiratory symptoms

Wheezing

Cough

Sputum production

Dyspnoea

Haemoptysis

Chest pain

Anatomical Presentation

Gross Presentation

Thoracic Kyphoscoliosis

Pectus Carinatum

Thoracic Operations

Pectus Excavatum

(Pigeon Chest)

(Funnel Chest)

Landmarks

Inspection Palpation Percussion Auscultation

Cervical Lymphadenopathy

Respiratory Rate and Expansion

General Appearance

(Dilated veins, Cyanosis)

Finger Clubbing

Palpation

Palpation is an assessment technique in which the examiner uses the surface of the fingers and hands to feel for abnormalities.

Percussion

Technique

Practice

Comparison

Auscultation

Quality of conducted voice sounds

Type and number of added sounds

Type & Amplitude of Breath Sounds

Summary of FindingsAssessment findings include:

Inspection •relaxed posture •normal musculature •rate 10 - 18 breaths per minute, regular •no cyanosis or pallor •anteroposterior diameter less than transverse diameter

Palpation  •symmetric chest expansion •tactile fremitus present and equal bilaterally

Percussion •resonant

Auscultation 

•vesicular over peripheral fields •bronchovesicular over sternum (anterior) and between scapulae (posterior) •infant and child - bronchovesicular throughout

Further Investigations

Chest X-Ray

Lung Function Test

Culture & Sensitivity

DOCUMENTATION