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Related Concept Videos

Assessment of Respiration01:23

Assessment of Respiration

The respiratory system's basic structures and primary functions lay the foundation for nurses' comprehensive respiratory assessments. This assessment includes subjective and objective data to gauge the patient's respiratory health.
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,...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Palpation01:24

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Palpation

Physical assessment of the respiratory tract is critical in identifying potential health issues. One key component of this assessment is palpation, a technique healthcare providers use to assess the body for abnormalities. This content explores the method of palpation in evaluating the respiratory tract, focusing on thoracic palpation and tactile fremitus.
Thoracic Palpation
Thoracic palpation detects tenderness, masses, lesions, respiratory excursions, and vocal fremitus. The nurse assesses...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract III: Percussion01:29

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract III: Percussion

The respiratory system, fundamental to life, consists of complex structures responsible for gas exchange. The percussion assessment is critical to understanding this system's health and functionality. This non-invasive assessment technique allows healthcare providers to evaluate the density or aeration of the lungs, thereby identifying potential abnormalities.
Percussion in Respiratory Assessment
Percussion evaluates underlying tissue composition with audible and tactile vibrations,...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation01:28

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation

Auscultation is a crucial component of the physical assessment of the respiratory tract. It offers valuable insights into airflow through the bronchial tree and potential lung obstructions. This process involves careful listening to breath, voice, and adventitious sounds, which can reveal a wealth of information about a patient's respiratory health.
Breath Sounds
Breath sounds are categorized into vesicular, bronchovesicular, and bronchial.
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion01:30

Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion

Respiratory system abnormalities are a significant concern in healthcare due to their potential to indicate underlying severe conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, and pneumonia. These abnormalities can often be detected through physical examination methods like inspection and percussion.
Inspection Findings
During an inspection, several findings may suggest the presence of respiratory distress or disease. Pursed-lip breathing, where exhalation is slowed by...
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation01:31

Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation

In assessing respiratory abnormalities, palpation and auscultation are critical tools for detecting and interpreting various pathophysiological changes. These techniques provide insight into underlying disorders by evaluating tactile sensations and sounds produced by the respiratory system.
Palpation Findings
During a respiratory assessment, palpation can reveal several vital abnormalities:

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Auscultatory percussion to detect ascites.

The New England journal of medicine·1986
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Auscultatory percussion of the urinary bladder.

Archives of internal medicine·1985
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Auscultatory percussion of the head.

British medical journal (Clinical research ed.)·1982
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Auscultatory percussion of the bladder to detect urinary retention.

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Auscultatory percussion of the chest.

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Abdominal aortic aneurysm.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
09:17

Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition

Published on: March 3, 2023

Auscultatory percussion: a simple method to detect pleural effusion

J R Guarino1, J C Guarino

  • 1University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle.

Journal of General Internal Medicine
|February 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Auscultatory percussion (AP) is a highly sensitive and specific new technique for detecting free pleural fluid. This method accurately identifies pleural effusions missed by standard physical examination and chest radiography.

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Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Physical Examination Techniques

Background:

  • Free pleural fluid detection is crucial for diagnosing various respiratory conditions.
  • Conventional diagnostic methods, including physical examination and chest radiography, have limitations in sensitivity and specificity.
  • A need exists for a more accurate and accessible technique for identifying pleural effusions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of a novel auscultatory percussion (AP) technique for detecting free pleural fluid.
  • To compare the diagnostic performance of AP with standard radiological assessments.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, blind study involving 118 inpatients with confirmed pleural effusion and 175 controls.
  • Auscultatory percussion (AP) was used to identify a distinct horizontal fluid level and its shift with lateral tilt.
  • Results were compared against chest radiography findings.

Main Results:

  • AP demonstrated high sensitivity (95.8%) in detecting pleural effusions, accurately identifying fluid levels in 113 out of 118 patients.
  • AP exhibited 100% specificity, with no false positives in the control group.
  • The technique successfully identified subpulmonic effusions and was effective even with complicating factors like obesity and lung disease.

Conclusions:

  • Auscultatory percussion (AP) is a highly sensitive and specific method for detecting free pleural fluid.
  • AP can identify effusions missed by conventional physical examination and standard chest radiography.
  • This technique is simple, accurate, and capable of detecting small fluid volumes (as little as 50 mL).