← Full lesson and references Paired practice cardsSt Emlyn’s · MLA

One learner performs. One learner checks the key steps and gives feedback. Then swap roles. This is a practice aid, not an official mark scheme.

Examiner / observer

Respiratory examination

Tick the actions you observe. Discuss any step that was not needed for this examination; unchecked boxes are not a score.

Examiner / observer · 1 of 3

Respiratory examination

Preparation · History and first observations

Agree supervision and any communication or chaperone support before starting. Use a consenting partner for comfortable, non-invasive techniques and provide the equipment needed for the agreed examination. Use a clinical skills model or describe any uncomfortable component.

St Emlyn’s · MLA · Practice aid, not an official mark schemeObserver 1 of 3

Examiner / observer · 2 of 3

Respiratory examination

Hands and observations · Neck and face

Hands and observations

Assesses hand warmth and clamminess.

Measures the pulse rate.

Assesses pulse rhythm and quality.

Inspects for clubbing, staining, cyanosis and wasting; checks for asterixis.

Reviews blood pressure, respiratory rate, saturation and temperature; glucose only if indicated.

Neck and face

Examines the neck veins, cervical/supraclavicular nodes and tracheal position.

Checks relevant eye signs, central cyanosis and nasal patency.

St Emlyn’s · MLA · Practice aid, not an official mark schemeObserver 2 of 3

Examiner / observer · 3 of 3

Respiratory examination

Chest · Close

Chest

Examines the front, sides and back, comparing corresponding areas.

Inspects breathing pattern, scars, bruising and deformity.

Compares expansion and checks relevant tenderness and dependent oedema.

Compares percussion notes at corresponding sites.

Compares breath sounds and listens for added sounds.

If useful, hears vocal resonance through the stethoscope and distinguishes it from palpable fremitus.

Close

Restores comfort and privacy, offers help with dressing and thanks the patient.

Ask the candidate

How would you present your findings and their significance? Describe the distribution of breath sounds, added sounds, percussion changes and expansion. Relate the pattern to severity and time course; request imaging, peak flow or a blood gas only for a clinical reason. Tracheal deviation is an unreliable late sign of tension pneumothorax; urgent care must not wait for it.

What would you do next, and why? Explain the important uncertainty, a relevant next assessment and when help is needed. State what you could not assess.

Feedback

What went well:

One thing to improve:

Try again focusing on:

St Emlyn’s · MLA · Practice aid, not an official mark schemeObserver 3 of 3

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Respiratory examination

Your task

Starting information

Respiratory examination

Respiratory examination

Preparation

History and first observations

Respiratory examination

Hands and observations

Neck and face

Respiratory examination

Chest

Close

Ask the candidate

Feedback