Leicester Medical School

Respiratory Examination Checklist

Preparation
Introduction
Consent and explanation
Wash hands
Position patient appropriately

Comments

General Inspection
Obvious discomfort/pain
Colour
Is the patient breathing comfortably?
Any audible wheeze or stridor?
Respiration rate
Items of note around bed?

Comments

Hands
Clubbing
Peripheral Cyanosis
Cigarette tar stains
Radial Pulse
CO2 retention Flap

Comments

Face
Conjunctiva (anaemia)
central cyanosis

Comments

Chest Inspection
Asymmetry
Scars
Shape/deformities

Anterior

Posterior Comments

Chest Palpation
Trachea
Chest expansion

Anterior

Posterior Comments
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Chest Percussion
All areas
Compares side to side

Anterior

Posterior Comments

Chest Auscultation
Breath sounds
Vocal resonance

Anterior

Posterior Comments

Lymph nodes
Occipital
Post-auricular
Pre-auricular
Submandibular
Submental
Anterior and posterior cervical
Supraclavicular (including for
Scalene)
Completing the Examination
Perform Peak flow reading
Examine any sputum
Temperature

Comments

Comments