From the Research
To assess a patient's chest expansion anteriorly, place your hands flat on the anterior chest wall with your thumbs meeting at the midline near the xiphoid process and your fingers spread laterally along the lower rib cage. This technique is crucial for evaluating the movement of the thoracic cage during respiration, which is important for assessing respiratory function, as highlighted in various studies on pulmonary function and lung imaging 1, 2. The provided evidence, although focused on pulmonary function testing, lung imaging, and COVID-19 pneumonia, underscores the importance of thorough respiratory assessment, which includes chest expansion evaluation. Key points to consider when assessing chest expansion anteriorly include:
- Ensuring hands are positioned symmetrically on both sides of the chest to accurately compare expansion.
- Asking the patient to take a deep breath while observing and feeling the separation of thumbs, which indicates the degree of chest expansion.
- Recognizing that reduced or asymmetrical chest expansion may indicate underlying respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, or musculoskeletal abnormalities.
- The anterior approach is particularly useful for examining the lower lobes of the lungs and diaphragmatic movement, as noted in the context of assessing lung function and disease 3, 4, 5. Remember to keep your hands warm before touching the patient and explain the procedure beforehand to ensure their comfort and cooperation during the assessment.