Pneumonia physical examination: Difference between revisions

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{{Pneumonia}}
{{Pneumonia}}
'''Editor(s)-in-Chief:''' [[C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D.]] [mailto:charlesmichaelgibson@gmail.com] Phone:617-632-7753'''Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' [[Priyamvada Singh|Priyamvada Singh, M.D.]] [mailto:psingh13579@gmail.com]
{{CMG}}; {{AE}} [[Priyamvada Singh|Priyamvada Singh, M.D.]] [mailto:psingh13579@gmail.com]


==Overview==
==Overview==
Persons with symptoms of pneumonia need medical evaluation. [[Physical examination]] by a health care provider may reveal [[fever]] or sometimes [[hypothermia|low body temperature]], an [[tachypnea|increased respiratory rate]], [[hypotension|low blood pressure]], a [[tachycardia|fast heart rate]], or a low [[oxygen saturation]], which is the amount of oxygen in the blood as indicated by either [[pulse oximetry]] or [[arterial blood gas|blood gas analysis]]. People who are struggling to breathe, who are confused, or who have [[cyanosis]] (blue-tinged skin) require immediate attention.  
[[Physical examination]]may reveal [[fever]] or sometimes [[hypothermia|low body temperature]], an [[tachypnea|increased respiratory rate]], [[hypotension|low blood pressure]], a [[tachycardia|fast heart rate]], or a low [[oxygen saturation]], which is the amount of oxygen in the blood as indicated by either [[pulse oximetry]] or [[arterial blood gas|blood gas analysis]]. People who are struggling to breathe, who are confused, or who have [[cyanosis]] (blue-tinged skin) require immediate attention. [[Auscultation]] findings include lack of normal breath sounds, the presence of crackling sounds ([[rales]]), or increased loudness of whispered speech (whispered pectoriloquy) with areas of the lung that are stiff and full of fluid, called consolidation. The physical examination, though not very sensitive and specific in diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia, helps in determining the severity of illness and ruling out other differentials. Vital signs are useful in determining the severity of illness and have predictive values. However, a high degree of suspicion should be kept in elderly as the presentation could be subtle in them.
 
Listening to the lungs with a [[stethoscope]] ([[auscultation]]) can reveal several things. A lack of normal breath sounds, the presence of crackling sounds ([[rales]]), or increased loudness of whispered speech (whispered pectoriloquy) can identify areas of the lung that are stiff and full of fluid, called "consolidation." The examiner may also feel the way the chest expands ([[palpation]]) and tap the chest wall ([[Percussion (medicine)|percussion]]) to further localize consolidation. The examiner may also palpate for increased vibration of the chest when speaking (tactile fremitus).<ref name=metlay>Metlay JP, Kapoor WN, Fine MJ. Does this patient have community-acquired pneumonia? Diagnosing pneumonia by history and physical examination. ''JAMA'' 1997; 278:1440. PMID 9356004</ref>
The physical examination, though not very sensitive and specific in diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia, helps in determining the severity of illness and ruling out other differentials. Vital signs are useful in determining the severity of illness and have predictive values. However, a high degree of suspicion should be kept in elderly as the presentation could be subtle in them.


==Physical Examination==
==Physical Examination==
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* Crackles, [[Rales]]
* Crackles, [[Rales]]
* Increased volume of whispered (vocal fremitus).{{ref|Metlay}}
* Increased volume of whispered (vocal fremitus).{{ref|Metlay}}
====Combining Findings====
One study created a prediction rule that found the five following signs best predicted infiltrates on the chest radiograph of 1134 patients presenting to an emergency room.<ref name="pmid2221647">{{cite journal |author=Heckerling PS, Tape TG, Wigton RS, ''et al'' |title=Clinical prediction rule for pulmonary infiltrates |journal=Ann. Intern. Med. |volume=113 |issue=9 |pages=664-70 |year=1990 |pmid=2221647 |doi=}}</ref>:
*Temperature > 37.8 degrees Celsius (100 degrees F)
*Pulse > 100 beats/min
*Crackles
*Decreased breath sounds
*''Absence'' of [[asthma]]
The probability of an infiltrate in two separate validations was based on the number of findings:
*5 findings - 84% to 91% probability
*4 findings - 58% to 85%
*3 findings - 35% to 51%
*2 findings - 14% to 24%
*1 findings - 5% to 9%
*0 findings - 2% to 3%


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 15:25, 4 November 2014

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.D. [2]

Overview

Physical examinationmay reveal fever or sometimes low body temperature, an increased respiratory rate, low blood pressure, a fast heart rate, or a low oxygen saturation, which is the amount of oxygen in the blood as indicated by either pulse oximetry or blood gas analysis. People who are struggling to breathe, who are confused, or who have cyanosis (blue-tinged skin) require immediate attention. Auscultation findings include lack of normal breath sounds, the presence of crackling sounds (rales), or increased loudness of whispered speech (whispered pectoriloquy) with areas of the lung that are stiff and full of fluid, called consolidation. The physical examination, though not very sensitive and specific in diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia, helps in determining the severity of illness and ruling out other differentials. Vital signs are useful in determining the severity of illness and have predictive values. However, a high degree of suspicion should be kept in elderly as the presentation could be subtle in them.

Physical Examination

Vital Signs

Lungs

Palpation

  • Increased tactile fremitus

Percussion

  • Dullness on percussion

Auscultation

  • Decreased breath sounds
  • Bronchial breath sounds
  • Rhonchi
  • Crackles, Rales
  • Increased volume of whispered (vocal fremitus).[3]

References

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