Respiratory Examination

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Respiratory Examination Clinical Examination Guide Respiratory Examination Components of the examination • Introduction and general inspection • Hands • Neck • Face • Anterior Chest - close inspection, palpation, chest expansion, vocal fremitus/resonance, percussion, auscultation • Posterior Chest - close inspection, palpation, chest expansion, vocal fremitus/resonance, percussion, auscultation • Sacrum and Ankles • Conclusion Surface markings for Chest Examination • Each lung extends 3cm above the clavicle (apex) • Anterior borders of lungs are closest at the sternal angle – 2nd costal cartilage (cc) • Left: Moves away from the midline at the 4th cc • Right: Moves away from the midline at the 6th cc • Both cross the midclavicular line at the 8th cc • Both cross the midaxillary line at the 10th cc • Pleura have the same surface markings as the lungs but reach further down to the 12th cc Introduction • Introduce yourself, confirm patient ID • Explain examination and gain consent, position patient at 45o and expose chest. Ask if they are in any pain • Gel hands and clean stethoscope Document Owner: Clinical Skills/LK Last Updated: March 2018 General Inspection • General inspection: Overall condition / colour / shape of the chest, scars • Breathing: Observe if talking in full sentences / rate / pattern / noise / cough / pursed lips / use of accessory muscles / Arms forward in a tripod position splinting the chest / • Surroundings: Look for O2 masks / nasal prongs / walking aids / portable O2 tank / inhalers / nebuliser / cigarettes / nicotine replacements / sputum pot Hands • Inspect nails for clubbing - assess for loss of angle of the nail bed AND increased nail bed fluctuation. May be increased nail curvature and bulk of distal tissues in later stages. • Inspect skin for general colour and tar staining • Ask patient to extend arms and abduct fingers, assess for fine finger tremor associate with salbutamol use. • In suspected CO2 retention ask the patient to hold hands outstretched with wrists dorsiflexed for 30sec to assess for asterixis • Note any signs of recent ABGs test at the wrists • Assess pulse, respiratory rate, BP and O2 Saturation Course flapping tremor (asterixis) from CO2 retention in respiratory failure (caused by failure of parietal mechanisms to maintain posture, so there are many underlying causes). Neck • Examine for scars over trachea and larynx • Warn the patient before using index and ring finger • Palpate for enlarged cervical lymph nodes (see to palpate for tracheal deviation by putting index ENT examination guide) finger and ring fingers on sterno-clavicular joints • Ask patient to turn head to left whilst you look and use your middle finger to GENTLY assess if across the sternocleidomastoid for the JVP. If trachea is in the midline visible pulsation, measure the vertical distance from the manubriosternal angle. • To differentiate JVP from arterial pulse consider Suprasternal Notch the following: • JVP disappears when occluding venous return at Sternoclavicular Joints base of the neck • JVP is not palpable Tracheal Deviation: Pulled towards a fibrotic, collapsed, surgically removed lung, pushed away from tension pneumothorax, large pleural effusion Face • Inspect eyes for conjunctival pallor (anaemia), Horner’s Syndrome: miosis (small pupil), partial ptosis miosis and, ptosis (Horner’s syndrome) (drooping eyelid) and anhidroisis (reduced sweating) • Palpate face with back of your hand for anhidrosis ALL ON THE SAME SIDE OF FACE. It is a sign of (Horner’s syndrome) impaired sympathetic innervation to the face, which • Inspect under the tongue for central cyanosis may be caused by obstruction to the sympathetic chain at apex of the lung Page 2 of 4 Anterior Chest Inspection • Inspect for scars and shape e.g. barrel, pectus carinatum, pectus excavatum. “Barrel shaped” where anteroposterior diameter is greater than lateral diameter is associated with lung hyperinflation Kyphosis and scoliosis reduce ventilator capacity Pectus Carinatum (pigeon chest) – developmental deformity with prominent sternum and often indrawing of ribs causing horizontal grooves (Harrison sulci). Caused by hyperinflation at young age e.g. through longstanding, poorly controlled childhood asthma, but also in rickets and osteomalacia Pectus Excavatum (funnel chest) – developmental deformity with depression at bottom of the sternum. Normally minimal impact on ventilation, cosmetic only. • Inspect movement on breathing: look for symmetry of expansion, use of accessory muscles Accessory muscles: Sternocleidomastoid, Scalenus Anterior, Pectoralis Major and Minor, Serratus Anterior, Latissimus Dorsi (and others) Palpation • Palpate chest wall for tenderness • Assess for upper and lower rib cage expansion using both hands in bucket and pump handle positions. - Place hands bilaterally on upper chest either side of sternum. Ask patient to take deep breath in and observe the motion of your hands (pump handle) - Reposition hands firmly either side gripping lower rib cage with thumbs meeting in midline, but not touching patient’s chest. Ask patient to take deep breath in and observe the gap between your thumbs (bucket handle). In Pump Handle - lateral view as sternum goes in and out normal expansion, there will be a 5cm gap with movement of the 2-6 ribs at costovertebral joints between inspiration and expiration. Bucket Handle – anterior view as lower ribs go up and - Observe closely for bilateral expansion without down at the sides added signs (see later) Anatomical Images: Moore and Dalley, Clinically Orientated Anatomy 6e Vocal frematis / Vocal resonance • Assess tactile vocal fremitus with ulnar border of your hand. The feeling of resonance of the breath is a buzz on your hand which should be symmetrical. • Place lateral border, horizontally of your hand in the chest wall while the patient says “99” * with each move of your hand • Alternate each side of chest at the following levels: - 1 above clavicle - 2 above 4th IC (nipple in man) - 1 below 4th IC - 2 laterally Page 3 of 4 • Assess Vocal Resonance (Bronchophony) using the same approach of asking the patient “99” to repeat the sound “99”, auscultate with the diaphragm of the stethoscope across all areas of the chest bilaterally. • In a normal examination, you will hear muffled sounds in all areas It is not necessary to perform vocal resonance AND vocal fremitus. Percussion and Auscultation • Percuss the same areas as above, and in addition, percuss the clavicles directly. You are listening for the pitch, loudness and symmetry of the percussion note. • Auscultate the areas with the diaphragm of the stethoscope whilst asking the patient to breathe through their mouth each time you move the stethoscope. If you mirror this, you will not make them uncomfortable. You are listening for the quality and symmetry of the breath sounds. Posterior Chest With the patient sitting forward and hands brought into their chest • Inspect for scoliosis, scars • Palpate for tenderness • Check for upper and lower chest rib cage expansion as before. This is more difficult, but is assessing for lower lobe inflation Working systematically, alternating either side of these chest examine at the apices and 3 levels in lower lung fields for: • Tactile vocal frematis / vocal resonance • Percussion • Auscultation Sacrum and Ankles • Assess for sacral oedema at the base of the spine if the patient has been lying in bed, of ankle oedema if the patient is ambulatory. • To do this, firmly press the skin with your index finger and hold for 1-2 seconds. On removal of your finger, an indent on the patient’s skin suggests oedema. Conclusion • Thank the patient, ask them to get dressed, report/record findings • Consider cardiovascular examination and peak flow measurement Page 4 of 4 .
Recommended publications
  • The Stethoscope: Some Preliminary Investigations
    695 ORIGINAL ARTICLE The stethoscope: some preliminary investigations P D Welsby, G Parry, D Smith Postgrad Med J: first published as on 5 January 2004. Downloaded from ............................................................................................................................... See end of article for Postgrad Med J 2003;79:695–698 authors’ affiliations ....................... Correspondence to: Dr Philip D Welsby, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK; [email protected] Submitted 21 April 2003 Textbooks, clinicians, and medical teachers differ as to whether the stethoscope bell or diaphragm should Accepted 30 June 2003 be used for auscultating respiratory sounds at the chest wall. Logic and our results suggest that stethoscope ....................... diaphragms are more appropriate. HISTORICAL ASPECTS note is increased as the amplitude of the sound rises, Hippocrates advised ‘‘immediate auscultation’’ (the applica- resulting in masking of higher frequency components by tion of the ear to the patient’s chest) to hear ‘‘transmitted lower frequencies—‘‘turning up the volume accentuates the sounds from within’’. However, in 1816 a French doctor, base’’ as anyone with teenage children will have noted. Rene´The´ophile Hyacinth Laennec invented the stethoscope,1 Breath sounds are generated by turbulent air flow in the which thereafter became the identity symbol of the physician. trachea and proximal bronchi. Airflow in the small airways Laennec apparently had observed two children sending and alveoli is of lower velocity and laminar in type and is 6 signals to each other by scraping one end of a long piece of therefore silent. What is heard at the chest wall depends on solid wood with a pin, and listening with an ear pressed to the conductive and filtering effect of lung tissue and the the other end.2 Later, in 1816, Laennec was called to a young characteristics of the chest wall.
    [Show full text]
  • Myocardial Hamartoma As a Cause of VF Cardiac Arrest in an Infant a Frampton, L Gray, S Bell
    590 CASE REPORTS Emerg Med J: first published as 10.1136/emj.2003.009951 on 26 July 2005. Downloaded from Myocardial hamartoma as a cause of VF cardiac arrest in an infant A Frampton, L Gray, S Bell ............................................................................................................................... Emerg Med J 2005;22:590–591. doi: 10.1136/emj.2003.009951 ardiac arrests in children are fortunately rare and the patients. However a review by Young et al2 found that the presenting cardiac rhythm is often asystole. However, survival to hospital discharge in infants and children Cventricular fibrillation (VF) can occur and may respond presenting with VF/VT was of the order of 30%, compared favourably to defibrillation. with only 5% of patients whose initial presenting rhythm was asystole. VF has also been demonstrated to be relatively more CASE REPORT common in infants than any other paediatric age group A 7 month old girl was sitting in her high chair when she was (p,0.006).1 One study of over 500 000 children presenting to witnessed by her parents to collapse suddenly at 1707 hours. an ED over a period of 5 years found VF to be the third most They attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the common presenting cardiac arrhythmia of any origin in ambulance crew arrived 7 minutes later, the cardiac monitor infants below the age of 1 year.1 It has been suggested that a displaying VF. No defibrillation or medications were admi- subgroup of patients (those ,1 year old) that would benefit nistered and she was rapidly transferred to her nearest from early defibrillation can be identified.2 emergency department (ED), arriving at 1723.
    [Show full text]
  • Respiratory Examination Cardiac Examination Is an Essential Part of the Respiratory Assessment and Vice Versa
    Respiratory examination Cardiac examination is an essential part of the respiratory assessment and vice versa. # Subject steps Pictures Notes Preparation: Pre-exam Checklist: A Very important. WIPE Be the one. 1 Wash your hands. Wash your hands in Introduce yourself to the patient, confirm front of the examiner or bring a sanitizer with 2 patient’s ID, explain the examination & you. take consent. Positioning of the patient and his/her (Position the patient in a 3 1 2 Privacy. 90 degree sitting position) and uncover Exposure. full exposure of the trunk. his/her upper body. 4 (if you could not, tell the examiner from the beginning). 3 4 Examination: General appearance: B (ABC2DEVs) Appearance: young, middle aged, or old, Begin by observing the and looks generally ill or well. patient's general health from the end of the bed. Observe the patient's general appearance (age, Around the bed I can't state of health, nutritional status and any other see any medications, obvious signs e.g. jaundice, cyanosis, O2 mask, or chest dyspnea). 1 tube(look at the lateral sides of chest wall), metered dose inhalers, and the presence of a sputum mug. 2 Body built: normal, thin, or obese The patient looks comfortable and he doesn't appear short of breath and he doesn't obviously use accessory muscles or any heard Connections: such as nasal cannula wheezes. To determine this, check for: (mention the medications), nasogastric Dyspnea: Assess the rate, depth, and regularity of the patient's 3 tube, oxygen mask, canals or nebulizer, breathing by counting the respiratory rate, range (16–25 breaths Holter monitor, I.V.
    [Show full text]
  • Automated Classification of Medical Percussion Signals for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Injuries Bhuiyan Md Moinuddin Universty of Windsor
    University of Windsor Scholarship at UWindsor Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2013 Automated Classification of Medical Percussion Signals for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Injuries Bhuiyan Md Moinuddin Universty of Windsor Follow this and additional works at: http://scholar.uwindsor.ca/etd Recommended Citation Md Moinuddin, Bhuiyan, "Automated Classification of Medical Percussion Signals for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Injuries" (2013). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4941. This online database contains the full-text of PhD dissertations and Masters’ theses of University of Windsor students from 1954 forward. These documents are made available for personal study and research purposes only, in accordance with the Canadian Copyright Act and the Creative Commons license—CC BY-NC-ND (Attribution, Non-Commercial, No Derivative Works). Under this license, works must always be attributed to the copyright holder (original author), cannot be used for any commercial purposes, and may not be altered. Any other use would require the permission of the copyright holder. Students may inquire about withdrawing their dissertation and/or thesis from this database. For additional inquiries, please contact the repository administrator via email ([email protected]) or by telephone at 519-253-3000ext. 3208. Automated Classification of Medical Percussion Signals for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Injuries By Md Moinuddin Bhuiyan A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies through the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Windsor Windsor, Ontario, Canada 2013 © 2013, Md Moinuddin Bhuiyan All Rights Reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored or otherwise retained in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, on any medium by any means without prior written permission of the author.
    [Show full text]
  • The Child with Altered Respiratory Status
    Path: K:/LWW-BOWDEN-09-0101/Application/LWW-BOWDEN-09-0101-016.3d Date: 3rd July 2009 Time: 16:31 User ID: muralir 1BlackLining Disabled CHAPTER 16 The Child With Altered Respiratory Status Do you remember the Diaz fam- Case History leave Lela, the baby sister, ily from Chapter 9, in which with Claudia’s mother, Selma, Jose has trouble taking his asthma medication, and head to the hospital. and in Chapter 4, in which Jose’s little sister, At the hospital the emergency department Lela, expresses her personality even as a new- nurse observes Jose sitting cross-legged and born? Jose is 4 years old and was diagnosed leaning forward on his hands. His mouth is with asthma this past fall, about 6 months ago. open and he is breathing hard with an easily Since that time Claudia, his mother, has audible inspiratory wheeze. He is using his noticed several factors that trigger his asthma subclavicular accessory muscles with each including getting sick, pollen, and cold air. breath. His respiratory rate is 32 breaths per One evening following a warm early-spring minute, his pulse is 112 beats per minutes, day, Jose is outside playing as the sun sets and and he is afebrile. Claudia explains that he the air cools. When he comes inside he was fine; he was outside running and playing, begins to cough. Claudia sets up his nebulizer and then came in and began coughing and and gives him a treatment of albuterol, which wheezing, and she gave him an albuterol lessens his coughing. Within an hour, Jose is treatment.
    [Show full text]
  • Visual Examination
    Visual Examination • Consider the impact of chest shape on the respiratory condition of the patient – Barrel chest – Kyphosis – Scoliosis – Pectus excavatum (funnel chest) – Pectus carinatum Visual Assessment of Thorax • Thoracic scars from previous surgery • Chest symmetry • Use of accessory muscles • Bruising • In drawing of ribs • Flail segment www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMicm0904437 • Paradoxical breathing /seesaw breathing • Pursed lip breathing • Nasal flaring Palpation • For vibration of secretion • Surgical emphysema • Symmetry of chest movement • Tactile vocal fremitus • Check for a tracheal tug • Palpate Nodes http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK368/ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uzgdaJCf0Mk Auscultation • Is there any air entry? • Differentiate – Normal vesicular sounds – Bronchial breathing – Wheeze – Distinguish crackles • Fine • Coarse • During inspiration or expiration • Profuse or scanty – Absent sounds – Vocal resonance http://www.easyauscultation.com/lung-sounds.aspx Percussion • Tapping of the middle phalanx of the left middle finger with the right middle finger • Sounds should be resonant but may be – Hyper resonant – Dull – Stony Dull http://stanfordmedicine25.stanford.edu/the25/pulmonary.html Pathological Expansion Mediastinal Percussion Breath Further Process Displacement Note Sounds Examination Consolidation Reduced on None Dull Bronchial affected side breathing Vocal resonance Whispering pectoriloquy Collapse Reduced on Towards Dull Reduced None affected side affected side Pleural Reduced on Towards Stony dull Reduced/ Occasional rub effusion affected side opposite side Absent Empyema Asthma Reduced None Resonant Normal/ Wheeze throughout Reduced COPD Reduced None Resonant/ Normal/ Wheeze throughout Hyper-resonant Reduced Pulmonary Normal or None Normal Normal Bibasal crepitations Fibrosis reduced throughout Pneumothorax Reduced on Towards Hyper-resonant Reduced/ None affected side opposite side Absent http://www.cram.com/flashcards/test/lung-sounds-886428 sign up and test yourself..
    [Show full text]
  • Breathing Sounds – Determination of Extremely Low Spl
    MATEC Web of Conferences 217, 03001 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201821703001 ICVSSD 2018 BREATHING SOUNDS – DETERMINATION OF EXTREMELY LOW SPL M. Harun1*, R. Teoh Y. S1, M. ‘A. A. Ahmad, M. Mohd. Mokji1, You K. Y1, S. A. R. Syed Abu Bakar1, P. I. Khalid1, S. Z. Abd. Hamid1 and R. Arsat1 1 School of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, *Email: [email protected] Phone: +6075535358 ABSTRACT Breathing sound is an extremely low SPL that results from inspiration and expiration process in the lung. Breathing sound can be used to diagnose persons with complications with breathing. Also, the sound can indicate the effectiveness of treatment of lung disease such as asthma. The purpose of this study was to identify SPL of breathing sounds, over six one octave center frequencies from 63 Hz to 4000 Hz, from the recorded breathing sounds in .wav files. Breathing sounds of twenty participants with normal weight BMI had been recorded in an audiometry room. The breathing sound was acquired in two states: at rest and after a 300 meters walk. Matlab had been used to process the breathing sounds that are in .wav files to come up with SPL (in dB). It has been found out that the SPL of breathing sound of all participants are positive at frequencies 63 Hz and 125 Hz. On the other hand, the SPL are all negatives at frequency 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz. In conclusion, SPL of breathing sounds of the participants, at frequencies 250 Hz and 500 Hz that have both positive and negative values are viable to be studied further for physiological and medicinal clues.
    [Show full text]
  • Diagnostic Nasal/Sinus Endoscopy, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) and Turbinectomy
    Medical Coverage Policy Effective Date ............................................. 7/10/2021 Next Review Date ....................................... 3/15/2022 Coverage Policy Number .................................. 0554 Diagnostic Nasal/Sinus Endoscopy, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) and Turbinectomy Table of Contents Related Coverage Resources Overview .............................................................. 1 Balloon Sinus Ostial Dilation for Chronic Sinusitis and Coverage Policy ................................................... 2 Eustachian Tube Dilation General Background ............................................ 3 Drug-Eluting Devices for Use Following Endoscopic Medicare Coverage Determinations .................. 10 Sinus Surgery Coding/Billing Information .................................. 10 Rhinoplasty, Vestibular Stenosis Repair and Septoplasty References ........................................................ 28 INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE The following Coverage Policy applies to health benefit plans administered by Cigna Companies. Certain Cigna Companies and/or lines of business only provide utilization review services to clients and do not make coverage determinations. References to standard benefit plan language and coverage determinations do not apply to those clients. Coverage Policies are intended to provide guidance in interpreting certain standard benefit plans administered by Cigna Companies. Please note, the terms of a customer’s particular benefit plan document [Group Service Agreement, Evidence
    [Show full text]
  • Pleurisy Dry and Exudative: Symptoms and Syndromes Based on Clinical-Instrumental and Laboratory Methods of Study
    Topic: Pleurisy dry and exudative: symptoms and syndromes based on clinical-instrumental and laboratory methods of study. Syndrome of fluid and air accumulation in the pleural cavity in pathology of the respiratory system Objective 1. Patient S. 25 years old, has complaints of severe pain in the left half of the chest, exacerbated by deep breath, lack of air. He first felt sick 3 days ago, noticed a one-time increase in body temperature to 37,5°C. On examination: rapid superficial breathing, the left half of the chest is slower in the act of breathing. Clear pulmonary sound is determined by percussion. During auscultation, there is a pleural friction sound to the left, it is louder in the armpit. The pain increases with inhalation, decreases with lying on the side of pain. In the general clinical blood test - moderate leukocytosis, ESR - 17 mm / h. Questions: 1. What is the diagnosis? 2. What (all) data will the doctor receive when auscultating the patient's lungs with this pathology? 3. How can you distinguish the pleural friction sound from the pericardial friction sound? 4. What is the normal respiratory rate? What is the respiratory rate of rapid breathing? 5. What are the possible causes of this disease. Task 2. Patient M., 33 years old, has complaints of chills, fever up to 38,5°C for 3 days, dry cough, pain in the right half of the chest. The pain is exacerbated by breathing and coughing. Objectively: the skin is pale, the lips are cyanotic, the respiratory rate is up to 30 per minute, the right half of the chest is enlarged in volume, the intercostal spaces are smoothed.
    [Show full text]
  • Study Guide Medical Terminology by Thea Liza Batan About the Author
    Study Guide Medical Terminology By Thea Liza Batan About the Author Thea Liza Batan earned a Master of Science in Nursing Administration in 2007 from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has worked as a staff nurse, nurse instructor, and level department head. She currently works as a simulation coordinator and a free- lance writer specializing in nursing and healthcare. All terms mentioned in this text that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Use of a term in this text shouldn’t be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark. Copyright © 2017 by Penn Foster, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be mailed to Copyright Permissions, Penn Foster, 925 Oak Street, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18515. Printed in the United States of America CONTENTS INSTRUCTIONS 1 READING ASSIGNMENTS 3 LESSON 1: THE FUNDAMENTALS OF MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY 5 LESSON 2: DIAGNOSIS, INTERVENTION, AND HUMAN BODY TERMS 28 LESSON 3: MUSCULOSKELETAL, CIRCULATORY, AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEM TERMS 44 LESSON 4: DIGESTIVE, URINARY, AND REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM TERMS 69 LESSON 5: INTEGUMENTARY, NERVOUS, AND ENDOCRINE S YSTEM TERMS 96 SELF-CHECK ANSWERS 134 © PENN FOSTER, INC. 2017 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY PAGE III Contents INSTRUCTIONS INTRODUCTION Welcome to your course on medical terminology. You’re taking this course because you’re most likely interested in pursuing a health and science career, which entails ­proficiency­in­communicating­with­healthcare­professionals­such­as­physicians,­nurses,­ or dentists.
    [Show full text]
  • Clinical Usefulness of 'Vocal Fremitus' and 'Vocal Resonance'
    RESEARCH Clinical usefulness of ‘vocal fremitus’ and ‘vocal resonance’ Kyaw San Hla MMedSc, MRCP, FRACP, is Senior Lecturer and staff physician, James Cook University, Mackay Base GP perceptions and practice Hospital, Queensland. kyaw. [email protected] Assessment of vocal fremitus (VF) and vocal resonance The study was approved by the Ethics Committee at Mackay (VR) (whereby vocal vibrations are felt or heard during Base Hospital. a clinical examination) is an established part of physical examination of the respiratory system. Textbooks on Results clinical examination include these procedures as part of Sixty-seven responses were obtained (64 GPs and three the standard method.1–3 general practice registrars), providing a response rate of approximately 70%. Forty-four respondents (65.7%) Undergraduate and postgraduate candidates are required rarely performed VF/VR as part of routine chest examination to perform VF and VR when they undertake qualifying (Figure 1). 50 44 assessments, however the reliability of findings from More than half (53.7%) 40 these procedures is controversial.4 It is also unusual to disagreed with the statement 30 see experienced doctors performing VF/VR during actual that ‘routine inclusion of either chest examination. The author of the only identifiable study VF or VR on chest examination Count 20 9 on clinicians’ attitudes toward VF/VR (which had only 14 is desirable’ (with 11.9% strongly 10 6 2 3 3 respondents) remarked ‘it will be rare to see physicians disagreeing). More than a quarter 0 near about about about about rarely doing both or even one of them although the majority has (28%) remained neutral.
    [Show full text]
  • Clinical Management of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections When Novel Coronavirus Is Suspected: What to Do and What Not to Do
    INTERIM GUIDANCE DOCUMENT Clinical management of severe acute respiratory infections when novel coronavirus is suspected: What to do and what not to do Introduction 2 Section 1. Early recognition and management 3 Section 2. Management of severe respiratory distress, hypoxemia and ARDS 6 Section 3. Management of septic shock 8 Section 4. Prevention of complications 9 References 10 Acknowledgements 12 Introduction The emergence of novel coronavirus in 2012 (see http://www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/en/index. html for the latest updates) has presented challenges for clinical management. Pneumonia has been the most common clinical presentation; five patients developed Acute Respira- tory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Renal failure, pericarditis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) have also occurred. Our knowledge of the clinical features of coronavirus infection is limited and no virus-specific preven- tion or treatment (e.g. vaccine or antiviral drugs) is available. Thus, this interim guidance document aims to help clinicians with supportive management of patients who have acute respiratory failure and septic shock as a consequence of severe infection. Because other complications have been seen (renal failure, pericarditis, DIC, as above) clinicians should monitor for the development of these and other complications of severe infection and treat them according to local management guidelines. As all confirmed cases reported to date have occurred in adults, this document focuses on the care of adolescents and adults. Paediatric considerations will be added later. This document will be updated as more information becomes available and after the revised Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines are published later this year (1). This document is for clinicians taking care of critically ill patients with severe acute respiratory infec- tion (SARI).
    [Show full text]