Overview
How to Perform
- Ask the patient to cross their arms over their chest and take deep breaths in and out through their mouth. Auscultate the lung fields, alternating from left to right. Make sure to auscultate the axillae and supraclavicular fossae.
Crepitations
Listen For
- Short popping sounds. May be fine or coarse, and may be cleared by coughing (if due to secretions).
Causes of Pulmonary Crepitations
Fine Crackles
- Pulmonary oedema - congestive cardiac failure, fluid overload
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary interstitial fibrosis
Coarse Crackles
- Chronic bronchitis
- Bronchiectasis
- Cystic fibrosis
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