Respiratory Assessment

Accurate respiratory assessment is critical to early recognition of patient deterioration. This course provides a structured, systematic approach to assessing the respiratory system, integrating anatomy and physiology with clinical examination, interpretation of findings, and documentation. The course combines theory with practical examples to support safe, patient-centred care across acute, community, and specialty settings. Who Should Attend • Nurses in acute, primary or community settings • Allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, dietitians, and paramedics • Healthcare workers seeking to improve their knowledge and skills in respiratory assessment • Newly qualified or returning clinicians looking to refresh their skills Course Content • Respiratory anatomy and physiology review • Principles of respiratory assessment • Health history-taking focused on respiratory symptoms • Inspection: chest shape, symmetry, effort, and oxygen therapy • Palpation and percussion techniques • Auscultation and identification of breath sounds • Abnormal respiratory patterns and sounds • Recognising clinical deterioration • Case studies and clinical scenarios • Documentation and escalation of care Learning Outcomes By the end of this course, you will be able to: • Describe the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system • Perform a structured respiratory assessment using a systematic approach • Conduct inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation of the chest • Identify normal versus abnormal breath sounds and respiratory patterns • Recognise red flags and early signs of respiratory deterioration • Interpret assessment findings in the context of the patient’s clinical condition • Communicate and document respiratory assessments effectively