Method Of Exam

• Overall chest expansion: Take a tape and encircle chest around the level of nipple. Take measurements at the end of deep inspiration and expiration.
• Symmetry of chest expansion:
  • Have patient seated erect or stand with arms on the side. Stand behind patient. Grab the lower hemithorax on either side of axilla and gently bring your thumbs to the midline. Have patient slowly take a deep breath and expire. Watch the symmetry of movement of the hemithorax. Simultaneously, feel the chest expansion.
  • Place your hands over upper chest and apex and repeat the process.
  • Next, stand in front and lay your hands over both apices of the lung and anterior chest and assess chest expansion.

Normal:

• Normally, a 2-5" of chest expansion can be observed.
• Chest expansion is symmetrical.