Respiratory assessment is an important component of medical practice that plays a fundamental role in evaluating the health and functionality of a person’s respiratory system. The respiratory system, which consists of the lungs, airways, and associated muscles, is responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, which is essential for sustaining life, and helps regulate the body’s acid-base balance by controlling carbon dioxide levels in the blood. An accurate and comprehensive examination of the respiratory system provides valuable insight into the condition of a person’s airway and aids in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of various respiratory diseases.
Healthcare professionals, from nurses to respiratory therapists to physicians, rely on respiratory assessment to provide important information about a patient’s breathing patterns, lung function and overall well-being. Systematic assessment allows nurses to detect early signs of respiratory dysfunction, monitor progression of existing conditions and tailor interventions to individual patient needs. The information obtained from a thorough respiratory assessment serves as the basis for clinical decisions and facilitates the development of personalized care plans.
This chapter address the importance of respiratory assessment in the clinical setting and highlight its role in detecting respiratory problems early and providing a foundation for informed medical care. As we navigate through this topic, it will become clear that a well-performed airway examination is an invaluable tool for healthcare providers who care about the well-being of their patients.