history & examination of respiratory system

History taking & examination of respiratory system
You need to know the common respiratory diseases symptoms
What are the causes of the these symptoms .
able to fully explore common symptoms of respiratory disease.

The most common symptoms of respiratory disease are:
Shortness of Breath (Dyspnoea)
Chest pain
Cough
Wheeze
Sputum production
Haemoptysis
Remember that these symptoms can also occur in :
Non-respiratory disease.
More than one part of the respiratoy system
More than one pathology or mechanism

Try to use the term SQITARPS in the analysis of each presentation/symptoms & as usual :
- site: mostly for pain
Quality : effect of daily life activities
Site: If the cough is painful, where is the pain & what are the types of pain ?
Quality: What does the cough sound like? E.g. Harsh, dry, barking, weak. Is it productive?
Intensity: Is it disruptive to the patient s life? Is there syncope or near-syncope caused by prolonged coughing?
Timing: How long has it been present and has it changed (progressive, induced or intermittent)?
Aggravating factors: e.g. damp conditions, smoking, dust?
Relieving factors: e.g. changing position, cough syrup


Timing : onset , coarse , correlation with certain event & periodicity
Aggravating factors: as dust, cold, wind, laugh ect..
Relieving factors : as drugs or position ect…

Previous episodes: Is there a pattern – time of year, weather, work? Was it the same or different from this presentation?
Secondary symptoms: ask about other symptoms of respiratory disease( or related systems) and establish the relationship between them

Site: If the cough is painful, where is the pain & what are the types of pain ?
Quality: What does the cough sound like? E.g. Harsh, dry, barking, weak. Is it productive?
Intensity: Is it disruptive to the patient s life? Is there syncope or near-syncope caused by prolonged coughing?
Timing: How long has it been present and has it changed (progressive, induced or intermittent)?
Aggravating factors: e.g. damp conditions, smoking, dust?
Relieving factors: e.g. changing position, cough syrup