Cardiorespiratory

Every patient that presents to hospital will likely have their chest listened to and their heart sounds auscultated. However there is much more to the cardiovascular and respiratory examinations than this.

There are subtle signs of both respiratory disease and cardiovascular disease that can be picked up in the hands and in the face. Moreover, risk factors can also be identified, even as simple as tar staining from cigarettes, which can prove fruitful in understanding the full clinical picture of a patient

Examining the precordium and lung fields is important and a detailed approach should be taken to ensure all the relevant signs are picked up. Complete the examination in the appropriate manner, all laid out within these articles.