1. Respiratory Assessment
DARREN HIRD – NURSE PRACTITIONER
History Taking
Clinical Assessment
Interpretation of
Findings
Implantation of a Plan

2. Respiratory Assessment
The respiratory system is essential for life.
Normal lung function requires a balanced interrelationship among the respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems.

3. Six important respiratory symptoms
Cough
Sputum production
Dyspnoea
Wheezing
Haemoptysis
Chest pain

4. Anatomical Presentation

5. Gross Presentation Thoracic Kyphoscoliosis Pectus Carinatum
(Pigeon Chest)
Pectus Excavatum
(Funnel Chest)
Thoracic Operations

6. Landmarks
Inspection
Palpation
Percussion
Auscultation

7. General Appearance
(Dilated veins, Cyanosis)
Finger Clubbing
Cervical Lymphadenopathy
Respiratory Rate and Expansion

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

9. Percussion
Technique
Comparison
Practice

10. Auscultation Quality of conducted voice sounds
Type and number of added sounds
Type & Amplitude of Breath Sounds

11. Summary of Findings Assessment findings include: Inspection Palpation
relaxed posture
normal musculature
rate 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

12. Further Investigations
Culture & Sensitivity
Chest X-Ray
Lung Function Test
DOCUMENTATION