Lung ultrasound can be used when you are assessing for:
- Shortness of breath
- Pneumonia or other recurring infections
- Cardiogenic pulmonary edema
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
- COPD/Asthma
- Pneumothorax
The major limitations of lung ultrasound are:
- Subcutaneous emphysema: ultrasound waves can’t pass through the air in the skin to evaluate the lungs
- Patient body habitus: may be difficult to see the lung in severely obese patients.