Bronchiectasis physical examination
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hamid Qazi, MD, BSc [2], Saarah T. Alkhairy, M.D.
Overview
Overview
The most common signs of bronchiectasis are coarse crackles, rhonchi, and wheezes on auscultation.
Bronchiectasis Physical Examination
Bronchiectasis Physical Examination
The physical exam findings for bronchiectasis are as follows:[1]
General appearance
- Lethargy
- Weight loss
- Progressive functional loss
- Wasting
- Syncope with activity
- Children may not grow at a normal rate
Vital Signs
Vital signs are generally within normal limit, but patients with severe disease (massive hemoptysis or sepsis) may have the following vital signs:
- Decreased SPO2
- Fever
- Tachycardia
- Tachypnea
- Hypotension
Chest
- Course crackles
- These can be heard in early inspiration and often in the lower lung zones
- Rhonchi
- Wheeze
- Inspiratory squeaks
Heart
- Right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH)
- Heart murmurs
Abdomen
Skin
ENT
- Breath odor
- Increased jugular venous pressure
- Prominent neck and facial veins
Extremeties
- Digital clubbing
- Pedal edema
References
References
- ↑ O’Donnell, Anne E. (2008). “Bronchiectasis”. Chest. 134 (4): 815–823. doi:10.1378/chest.08-0776. ISSN 0012-3692.
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