Hemoptysis physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sadaf Sharfaei M.D.[2]

Overview[edit | edit source]

Physical examination of patients with hemoptysis might be normal. However, patients might show different findings depend on underlying causes. Patients with hemoptysis usually appear anxious and depend on the severity of bleeding they might be critically ill. Patients with hemoptysis usually have abnormal vital signs indicating dehydration, other signs of mucosal bleeding, purulent bloody sputum, and abnormal lung exam indicating underlying pulmonary causes.

Physical Examination[edit | edit source]

• Physical examination of patients with hemoptysis might be normal. However, patients might show different findings depend on underlying causes.^[1][2][3]
• Patients with hemoptysis usually appear anxious and depend on the severity of bleeding they might be critically ill.
• Patients with hemoptysis usually have abnormal vital signs indicating dehydration, other signs of mucosal bleeding, purulent bloody sputum, and abnormal lung exam indicating underlying pulmonary causes.

Appearance of the Patient[edit | edit source]

• Patients with hemoptysis usually appear anxious.
• Patients with massive hemoptysis usually appear critically ill.

Vital Signs[edit | edit source]

• Low-grade fever
• Tachycardia with regular pulse
• Tachypnea
• Low blood pressure with normal pulse pressure

Skin[edit | edit source]

• Bruises
• Telangiectasia
• Palpable purpura
• Rash

HEENT[edit | edit source]

• Purulent bloody sputum

Neck[edit | edit source]

• Jugular venous distension

Lungs[edit | edit source]

• Decreased chest expansion
• Coarse crackles upon auscultation of the lung bases unilaterally or bilaterally
• Decreased breath sounds
• Wheezing may be present

Heart[edit | edit source]

• Systolic murmur / diastolic murmur

Abdomen[edit | edit source]

• Abdominal distention
• Abdominal tenderness

Back[edit | edit source]

• Back examination of patients with hemoptysis is usually normal.

Genitourinary[edit | edit source]

• Genitourinary examination of patients with hemoptysis is usually normal.

Neuromuscular[edit | edit source]

• Neuromuscular examination of patients with hemoptysis is usually normal.

Extremities[edit | edit source]

• Peripheral edema
• Clubbing of the digits
• Joint effusions
• Periarticular warmth

References[edit | edit source]