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Chest Expansion Measurement Techniques

This document describes techniques for evaluating chest expansion and motion. It discusses positioning the patient sitting and using a tape measure to measure the difference between inhaled and exhaled chest circumference at the axillary, nipple, and xiphoid levels. Normal chest wall excursion is about 3.25 inches in young adults. The document also outlines methods for assessing apical, middle lobe, and lower lobe motion by placing hands on the anterior and posterior chest wall and observing symmetry and extent of movement during inhalation.

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heena solanki
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9K views13 pages

Chest Expansion Measurement Techniques

This document describes techniques for evaluating chest expansion and motion. It discusses positioning the patient sitting and using a tape measure to measure the difference between inhaled and exhaled chest circumference at the axillary, nipple, and xiphoid levels. Normal chest wall excursion is about 3.25 inches in young adults. The document also outlines methods for assessing apical, middle lobe, and lower lobe motion by placing hands on the anterior and posterior chest wall and observing symmetry and extent of movement during inhalation.

Uploaded by

heena solanki
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Chest expansion

• Chest excursion includes chest symmetry and


chest expansion.
• Evaluation of thoracic expansion allows the
therapist to observe a "baseline" level by which to
measure progress or decline in a patient's
condition.
• Chest wall movement can be restricted
unilaterally as a result of lobar pneumonia or a
surgical incision.
• A symmetrical decrease in chest wall motion
occurs in the patients with COPD.
• The hyperinflation associated with COPD
produces an increase in the antero posterior
diameter with a progressive loss of
diaphragmatic excursion.
• Normal chest wall excursion is about 3.25
inches (8.5cm) in a young adult between 20 to
30 years of age.
• One method is to use a tape measure at the
level of the axillary level, nipple level and
xiphoid process.
Chest expansion technique:
• It is measurement technique with the use of
measure tape to check the amount of chest
expansion.
• Position of the patient: sitting
• Measure tape is kept at the level of axilla.
• Patient is asked to exhale completely and the
measurement is done with holding the the
measure tape at the same level, and ask the
patient to inhale as much as possible.
• The difference is measured. The difference
achieved is the chest expansion measure at
the axillary level.
• Same way it is measured at nipple level and
xiphi sternum level.
• The most common method involves direct
hand contact. The technique is performed
from top to bottom. Symmetry and extent of
movement both are noted.
Apical or upper lobe motion
1. The PT faces the patient. The area to be examined
is exposed and draped as needed.
2. The PT's hands are placed over the anterior chest.
The heel of the hand is about the level of the
fourth rib and the fingertips reach toward the
upper trapezi.
3. The thumbs lie horizontal at about the level of
the sternal angle and meet at the midline, slightly
stretching the skin.
4. The patient is asked to inhale.
5. The hands should be relaxed to allow for
movement beneath.
6. The symmetry and extent of movement are
assessed.
Anterolateral or middle lobe/lingula motion
• Initial steps will be same as apical.
• The PT's hands are placed with the palms
distal to the nipple line with the thumbs
meeting in the midline. The fingers lie in the
posterior auxiliary fold.
• The last steps will be again same as apical.
Posterior excursion/lower lobe motion.
• The PT stands behind the patient.
• The area to be examined is exposed with
draping used as appropriate.
• The PTs hands are placed at on the posterior
chest wall at the level of the tenth rib. The
thumbs meet at the midline; fingers reaching
toward the anterior axillary fold.
• Last steps will be the same as before.
Thank you…

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