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General inspection

Authoring team

Observe the following:

  • evidence of respiratory distress:
    • dyspnoea
    • tachypnoea
    • use of accessory muscles of respiration
    • wheezing or stridor

  • signs of respiratory failure:
    • reduced level of consciousness
    • central cyanosis
    • asterixis

  • chest wall:
    • hyperexpanded in airways obstruction
    • kyphosis or scoliosis
    • pectus carinatum or pectus excavatum
    • asymetric expansion
    • surgical scars, possible tracking mesothelioma
    • cold abscesses from underlying TB
    • Harrison's sulcus and intercostal recession

  • pattern of respiration
  • lymphadenopathy, especially supraclavicular

  • superior vena cava obstruction:
    • puffy face
    • engorged neck, chest and arm veins

  • hoarse voice
  • Horner's syndrome

  • signs in the hands:
    • nicotine on fingers and nails
    • coal dust ingrained in fingers and nails
    • clubbing
    • wasting of small muscles
    • yellow nails in the yellow nail syndrome

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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