Bronchitis physical examination

Overview
A physical examination will often reveal decreased intensity of breath sounds, wheeze (rhonchi) and prolonged expiration. Most doctors rely on the presence of a persistent dry or wet cough as evidence of bronchitis.

Physical examination
The physical examination findings in acute bronchitis can be:

General physical examination

 * Clubbing on the digits


 * Peripheral cyanosis


 * Conjunctivitis


 * Bullous myringitis

Oropharyngeal examination

 * Pharyngeal erythema


 * Rhinorrhea


 * Lymphadenopathy

Pulmonary system

 * Use of accessory muscles suggesting labored breathing.


 * Rhonchi, and wheezes that change in location and intensity after a deep and productive cough.


 * Presence of inspiratory stridor indicate obstruction of a major bronchi or the trachea.

Cardiovascular examination

 * Sustained heave felt along the left sternal border, suggests right ventricular hypertrophy secondary to chronic bronchitis.