Bronchitis physical examination

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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

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.

Physical Examination

The physical examination findings in acute bronchitis can be:

Eyes

Ear

  • Bullous myringitis

Nose

Throat

  • Pharyngeal erythema

Lungs

  • 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.

Heart

Extremities

References


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