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Monitoring in Mechanical Ventilation 247
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Figure 9-2 Hand positions for assessing symmetry of the chest.
motion of the chest and abdomen is noted, the patient should be evaluated for
diaphragmatic fatigue or underlying pathology.
Assessment of symmetry of chest excursion or expansion can be done by placing
Chest expansion is the hands on corresponding opposite position of the right and left sides of the chest
symmetrical when the patient
takes in a deep breath and the or posterior thorax, with the examiner’s thumbs touching (Figures 9-2 and 9-3).
hands of the examiner move
apart in equal distance from When the patient takes in a deep breath, the hands of the examiner should move
midline. apart in equal distance from midline. If one hand moves less than the other, the
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Figure 9-3 Hand positions for assessing symmetry of the posterior thorax.
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