Chest Expansion
Overview
Assessing for chest expansion (symmetric or asymmetric) provides clues regarding the presence of chest wall pathology, lung volume loss or obstruction.
How to Assess
- While the patient is in maximal expiration, place your palms over the patient's posterolateral ribs with your thumbs touching in the midline. Ask the patient to take a deep breath in and measure the distance that the thumbs move apart.
Measure both anteriorly and posteriorly, comparing measurements.
Causes of Decreased Chest Expansion
Bilateral
- Airway obstruction - asthma, COPD
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Musculoskeletal - arthritides, rib fracture
Unilateral
- Pneumothorax
- Atelectasis
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