Bronchitis physical examination: Difference between revisions

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==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
A [[physical examination]] will often reveal decreased intensity of breath sounds, wheeze (rhonchi) and prolonged [[Exhalation|expiration]].  Most doctors rely on the presence of a persistent dry or wet cough as evidence of bronchitis.
A [[physical examination]] will often reveal decreased intensity of breath sounds, wheeze (rhonchi) and prolonged [[Exhalation|expiration]].  Most doctors rely on the presence of a persistent dry or wet cough as evidence of bronchitis.
The physical examination findings in acute bronchitis can be:
===General physical examination===
* Clubbing on the digits
* Peripheral cyanosis
* Conjunctivitis
* Bullous myringitis
===Oropharyngeal examination===
* Pharyngeal erythema
* Rhinorrhea
* Lymphadenopathy
===Pulmonary system===
* Use of accessory muscles suggesting labored breathing.
* Rhonchi, and wheezes that change in location and intensity after a deep and productive cough.
* Presence of inspiratory stridor indicate obstruction of a major bronchi or the trachea.
===Cardiovascular examination===
* Sustained heave felt along the left sternal border, suggests right ventricular hypertrophy secondary to chronic bronchitis.


A variety of tests may be performed in patients presenting with cough and shortness of breath:
A variety of tests may be performed in patients presenting with cough and shortness of breath:

Revision as of 22:17, 27 February 2012

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Bronchitis Main page

Patient Information

Overview

Causes

Classification

Acute bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis

Differential Diagnosis

Overview

Diagnosis

A physical examination will often reveal decreased intensity of breath sounds, wheeze (rhonchi) and prolonged expiration. Most doctors rely on the presence of a persistent dry or wet cough as evidence of bronchitis.


The physical examination findings in acute bronchitis can be:

General physical examination

  • Clubbing on the digits
  • Peripheral cyanosis
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Bullous myringitis

Oropharyngeal examination

  • Pharyngeal erythema
  • Rhinorrhea
  • Lymphadenopathy

Pulmonary system

  • Use of accessory muscles suggesting labored breathing.
  • Rhonchi, and wheezes that change in location and intensity after a deep and productive cough.
  • Presence of inspiratory stridor indicate obstruction of a major bronchi or the trachea.

Cardiovascular examination

  • Sustained heave felt along the left sternal border, suggests right ventricular hypertrophy secondary to chronic bronchitis.

A variety of tests may be performed in patients presenting with cough and shortness of breath:

  • A chest X-ray that reveals hyperinflation; collapse and consolidation of lung areas would support a diagnosis of pneumonia. Some conditions that predispose to bronchitis may be indicated by chest radiography.
  • A sputum sample showing neutrophil granulocytes (inflammatory white blood cells) and culture showing that has pathogenic microorganisms such as Streptococcus spp.
  • A blood test would indicate inflammation (as indicated by a raised white blood cell count and elevated C-reactive protein).
  • Neutrophils infiltrate the lung tissue, aided by damage to the airways caused by irritation.
  • Damage caused by irritation of the airways leads to inflammation and leads to neutrophils being present
  • Mucosal hypersecretion is promoted by a substance released by neutrophils
  • Further obstruction to the airways is caused by more goblet cells in the small airways. This is typical of chronic bronchitis
  • Although infection is not the reason or cause of chronic bronchitis it is seen to aid in sustaining the bronchitis.

References