(2) If the patient is ill and unable to sit up, examine with the patient lying on
the right or left side.
(3) Percuss the patient's anterior chest (figure 2-9). In a healthy patient, the
entire upper chest is resonant except for the area of cardiac dullness. Percuss across
the top of the body and work downward, symmetrically.
Figure 2-9. Anterior percussion.
(4) Percuss the patient's posterior chest, symmetrically down the chest wall
making a side to side comparison (figure 2-10). Percussion over lung fields should
reveal equal bilateral findings. Omit percussion over the shoulder blades.
Figure 2-10. Posterior percussion.
MD0568
2-10