| Physical examination finding | Clinical significance | Possible diagnosis |
| Absent/diminished breath sounds | Decreased air movement |
COPD Severe asthma Pneumothorax Tension pneumothorax Hemothorax |
| Accessory muscle use | Muscle weakness, fatigue |
Respiratory failure Severe COPD Severe asthma |
| Expiratory/mixed stridor | Air flow obstruction below vocal cords |
Croup Foreign body Bacterial tracheitis |
| Inspiratory stridor | Air flow obstruction above vocal cords |
Foreign body Epiglottitis Angioedema |
| Hyperventilation |
Acidosis Sepsis Salicylate poisoning Anxiety |
|
| JVD with clear lungs | Right heart failure |
Cardiac tamponade Pulmonary embolism |
| JVD with crackles | Right and left heart failure |
ADHF ARDS |
| Heart murmur | Valvular disease | Valvular dysfunction |
| Hepatojugular reflux | Right heart failure | ADHF |
| Pulsus paradoxus | Poor right heart filling |
Right heart failure Pulmonary embolism Cardiogenic shock Pericardial tamponade Asthma exacerbation |
| Crackles (Rales) | Interalveolar fluid |
ADHF ARDS Pneumonia |
| Wheezes | Obstruction below trachea |
Asthma exacerbation Foreign body ADHF COPD |
