The respiratory system is examined for general health and specific ailments. Inspection, percussion, and auscultation are the primary methods. Further tests may be done for abnormal findings, including arterial blood tests and chest x-rays. Chronic respiratory conditions may require routine monitoring and the use of a spirometer.
The examination of the respiratory system is common to any medical examination, both for the purpose of assessing the general state of health and for the purpose of diagnosing a specific ailment or disorder involving the respiratory system. The primary method of examining the respiratory system involves three major components on the examining physician’s side: inspection, percussion, and auscultation. Together, these components constitute the routine clinical examination of the respiratory system, but if abnormal findings are found, further examinations and diagnostic tests may be performed.
Inspection is the doctor’s first step in an examination of the respiratory system. The inspection involves evaluating specific aspects of a patient’s breathing and system functions, such as skin color, breathing patterns, and the symmetry of the anatomical parts of the respiratory system. Palpation, or gentle exertion, is part of the inspection and helps the doctor detect abnormalities or tenderness in the tissue under the skin of the chest, providing further indications of the function of the respiratory system.
Percussion is the part of the respiratory system exam that involves touching different parts of the body to elicit percussive tones that help a doctor determine the presence and amount of air, liquid, or solid matter moving through the lungs. Based on the vibrations, an experienced doctor can tell a lot about the current functioning of a patient’s respiratory system through percussion. Also, the auscultation portion of a respiratory system exam, which involves listening to the sounds of the patient breathing through a stethoscope, gives the doctor a very good idea of current lung function and the presence of any blockages.
In the event that respiratory failure is a symptom or a patient is being treated for a respiratory condition, other tests may follow a clinical examination of the respiratory system. An arterial blood test (ABG) can be done to measure the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood, which is an indicator of lung function. This can also be done in conjunction with a circulatory test, as circulation is a direct connection to heart function. If a doctor suspects a lung condition, such as pleurisy or pneumonia, a chest x-ray may be taken to get a visual inspection of the lungs.
Patients with chronic respiratory conditions, such as COPD, asthma, or related conditions may receive a more thorough respiratory system examination with routine tests to monitor respiratory system function. A doctor may also provide such patients with a spirometer, a device used to measure the volume of inhaled and exhaled air, to perform an initial lung function test, and may instruct patients to use the device regularly at home as a form of lung exercise .
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