ABSTRACT
Cause Types of Chest Pain Major Physical Findings
Airway obstruction Upper airway Inspiratory stridor, especially over
Bronchoconstriction “Tightness” the neck
Expiratory wheezing, prolonged
Alveolar hemorrhage expiratory phase
Inspiratory crackles Hyperventilation “ Discomfort” Normal chest exam Inhalation injury Site of injury depends on water
Pneumonia Lateral chest if parietal pleura
solubility of toxin and intensity of exposure
Unilateral inspiratory crackles, involved ? consolidation
Pneumothorax Upper chest і Intensity of breath sounds, pos
Pulmonary edema Substemal, sharp sible shift of trachea
Cardiac Diffuse bilateral crackles, S3 Noncardiac Diffuse bilateral crackles
Pulmonary embolism Lateral chest Variable Trauma At site of injury Chest wall tenderness, і intensity
of breath sounds
have experienced a myocardial infarction. Chest “ tightness” is frequently re ported by patients with acute bronchoconstriction due to either asthma or cys tic fibrosis. Pain in the upper chest area may occur with spontaneous pneumo thorax, while pain in the lateral chest is more likely due to trauma, pneumonia, or pulmonary embolism. Chest “ discomfort” may occur with the hyperventi lation syndrome.
