Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

Employing the Forced Oscillation Technique for the Assessment of Respiratory Mechanics in Adults
Published on: February 9, 2022
The initial evaluation of adults with bronchiectasis
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, 06030-1321, USA. Metersky@nso.uchc.edu
Abstract:
Bronchiectasis can be caused by a myriad of underlying conditions or environmental insults to the bronchial tree. Despite a detailed evaluation, the cause remains undetermined in approximately 50% of cases. Nonetheless, it is important to use a systematic approach to the diagnostic evaluation of a patient with newly diagnosed bronchiectasis, because a substantial proportion of patients have a specific underlying diagnosis with implications for prognosis or treatment. There is not one panel of tests that can be recommended for all patients. This article reviews the initial evaluation of an adult patient with bronchiectasis.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration can...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract I: Health History
Subjective Data
Subjective data provides vital information about the patient's health history and symptoms. This data is typically collected through interviews in which patients describe their experiences, symptoms, and concerns.
Health history and key...
Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...