Which finding should be assessed during palpation to evaluate symmetry of chest expansion?

• A. Equal chest expansion
• B. Tenderness
• C. Temperature
• D. Tactile fremitus

Answer: (A)

During palpation, the main idea is to assess symmetry of chest expansion by feeling both sides rise and fall evenly as the patient takes a deep breath. Place your hands on the posterior chest wall with thumbs toward the spine at about the lower thorax, then have the patient inhale deeply; you should feel equal expansion on both sides. A lag or reduced excursion on one side indicates decreased expansion, which can signal pneumothorax, lobar involvement, pleural effusion, or chest wall restriction. Tenderness would point to pain rather than symmetry of movement, temperature is not evaluated here, and tactile fremitus assesses vibration transmission for consolidation or effusion rather than expansion symmetry.