Coin test

A coin test is a medical diagnostic test used to test for a punctured lung. A punctured lung can cause air or fluid to leak into the pleural cavity, leading to, for example, pneumothorax or hydrothorax. In a coin test, two coins are tapped against the chest on the side where the puncture is suspected. A stethoscope is placed on the back to listen to breath sounds and the sound of the coins. If a tinkling sound is heard, it is likely that air or fluid has found its way into the pleural cavity.

References

Preparation Manual for Undergraduates of Medicine, written by K. George Mathew