ABSTRACT
The easiest way to examine the actual thorax is to start anteriorly and assess palpation, percussion, tactile vocal fremitus or vocal resonance and auscultation before repeating it all posteriorly. Remember to begin all these tests at the apices and move from side to side symmetrically down to the bases, not forgetting the axillae and lateral chest walls. Your examination technique is important and you should ensure that whilst assessing for chest wall expansion your thumbs are in the air at right-angles to the chest wall and not touching the patient’s chest. Whilst percussing the chest, demonstrate a good tapping technique, and whilst assessing for tactile vocal fremitus, use the ulnar border of both hands simultaneously, one on each half of the chest wall. At the end of your examination, say that you would like to check the observation chart, do a peak flow measurement and, if appropriate, look in the sputum pot.
