ASSESSMENT OSPE Flashcards
Explain Murphy’s Sign
Tests for Cholecystitis
- Places hand below right costal margin along the
mid clavicular line. - Asks patient to take deep breath in.
If positive:
patient will experience pain at peak inspiration
How do you test for Kidney Tenderness (Ballot)
- Left hand on patient’s back (flank area) under the 12th rib, pushing upwards.
- Right hand pushing down just below the (anterior) costal margin.
- Asks the patient to take a deep breath to help descend the kidney and ‘trap it’ between their two hands.
Easily palpable and/or tender kidney is = abnormal (hydronephrosis or pyelonephritis)
Testing Costovertebral Angle (CVA) Tenderness
- Finds the CVA by assessing for posterior 12th rib and the spine…just below the 12th rib in between the spine is the angle.
- Lays non-dominate hand flat over the angle.
- Makes fist with dominate hand and firmly thumps the fist onto flat non-dominate hand.
- Ask the patient if they felt tenderness or pain.
What is Blumberg sign?
Rebound tenderness
Positive sign for possible peritonitis
How do you carry out Blumberg Sign Assessment?
- Finds the CVA by assessing for posterior 12th rib and the spine…just below the 12th rib in between the spine is the angle.
- Lays non-dominate hand flat over the angle.
- Makes fist with dominate hand and firmly thumps the fist onto flat non-dominate hand.
- Ask the patient if they felt tenderness or pain.
Describe Rovsing sign
Right lower quadrant pain when palpating left lower quadrant
Suggestive of peritoneal irritation
Describe Psoas Sign
Right lower quadrant pain with extension of the right hip
or
with flexion of the right hip against resistance
Is present when the inflamed appendix is retrocecal and overlying the right psoas muscle.
Describe Obturator Sign
Right lower quadrant pain with internal and external rotation of the flexed right
Is present when the inflamed appendix is in contact with the obturator internus muscle.
Where is McBurney’s Point located?
2/3 of the day from umbilicus to anterior superior iliac spine
Describe the Pinch Test
- Pinches fold of abdominal skin over McBurney’s point.
- Elevates skin away from the peritoneum.
- Allows skin to recoil back briskly against the peritoneum.
If the patient has increased pain when the skin fold strikes the peritoneum, the test is positive, and peritonitis probably is present.
Where would you auscultate the Aortic Valve?
2nd Intercostal space
Right sternal edge
Where would you auscultate the Pulmonary Valve?
2nd Intercostal space
Left Sternal Edge
Where would you auscultate the Tricuspid Valve?
5th Intercostal space
Lower Left Sternal Edge
Where would you auscultate the Mitral Valve?
5th Intercostal Space
Mid Clavicular Line (Apex beat)
What does lateral displacement of Apical beat suggest?
Cardiomegaly
Cranial Nerve Exam
Neurological Assessment
I - Olfactory Nerve
Have you noticed any change in your sense of smell?
True test performed in clinical settings using peanut butter and coffee.
Noxious odours not used as they can stimulate trigeminal nerve endings in nasal mucosa
Cranial Nerve Exam
Neurological Assessment
II - Optic Nerve
Any changes to your vision?
Consider Snellen Chart
Cranial Nerve Exam
Neurological Assessment
II, III Optic and Oculomotor nerves
Assess pupils
Shape:
Abnormal shapes can be congenital or due to pathology.
PEARL:
Both pupils should constrict equally with light shined in one
Convergence:
Look at an object in the distance and then at your finger, pupils should constrict and converge.
Cranial Nerve Exam
Neurological Assessment
III, IV, VI – Oculomotor, Trochlear and Abducens Nerves
Note any Ptosis
(drooping of eyelid/s)
Have you been having any double vision?
Eye Movements
H-Test:
Move finger in an ‘H’ shape and have patient follow with their eyes only to assess motor function.
Cranial Nerve Exam
Neurological Assessment
V – Trigeminal Nerve
Sensory
Light touch test on three branches of nerve
Forehead (Opthalmic Branch)
Cheeks (Maxillary Branch)
Jaw (Mandibular Branch)
Cranial Nerve Exam
Neurological Assessment
V – Trigeminal Nerve
Motor
Clench teeth:
Feel for equal bilateral muscle mass/tone.
Open mouth against resistance:
Feel for strength and deviation (will deviate to side of lesion)
Cranial Nerve Exam
Neurological Assessment
VII - Facial Nerve
Facial expressions:
Raise eyebrows and frown.
Big Smile.
Puff out cheeks.
Can they close eyes tight and resist you trying to open them (gently).
Cranial Nerve Exam
Neurological Assessment
VII – Vestibulocochlear Nerve
Have you noticed any changes in your hearing?
Whisper test:
Whisper a number or word 15cm away from ear and ask patient to repeat it. (Cover other ear)
Cranial Nerve Exam
Neurological Assessment
X & X – Glossopharyngeal and Vagus Nerves
Say “Ahhh!”
Check that uvula remains mid-line.
Check that soft palate raises equally.
Cranial Nerve Exam
Neurological Assessment
XI – Accessory Nerve
Ask patient to shrug shoulders against resistance.
Turn head left and right against resistance.
Cranial Nerve Exam
Neurological Assessment
XII – Hypoglossal Nerve
Stick out tongue, Check for deviation.
(deviation always towards side of lesion)
Place finger on patient’s cheek and have them push tongue against it, assess power.
What is Dysdiadochokinesia?
The inability to carry out rapidly alternating movement.
Cranial Nerve Exam
Neurological Assessment Additional Test for Fine Motor Movement
“Piano playing”
Can patient mime this without awkward or difficult movements?
Cranial Nerve Exam
Neurological Assessment Additional Test for Repetitive Movements
Have patient touch the tip of your finger then their nose repeatedly with eyes closed.
Clap hands or slap thigh alternating between palm and back of hand.
What does the Romberg Test Assess?
Assesses for:
Sensory Ataxia (gait disturbance)
Suggestive of mild lesions of the sensory vestibular.
or
proprioceptive systems disequilibrium caused by:
Central Vertigo.
Peripheral Vertigo.
Head trauma.
Steps involved in Romberg Test?
- Asks the patient to remove their shoes and stand with their two feet together.
- Asks the patient to hold their arms next to their body or crossed in front of them.
- Asks the patient to first stand quietly with eyes open, and subsequently with eyes closed for 30secs.
- It is essential that the student stands close to the patient to prevent potential injury if they were to fall.
The test is positive when the patient sways and loses balance with their eyes closed.
What does Pronator Drift test for?
Upper Motor Neurone Disease.
Steps involved in Pronator Drift test?
1) Asks the patient to close their eyes, then to stretch out both arms in the appropriate position: extend the arms 90 degrees
2) The palms should be facing up (supinated).
3) Asks the patient to maintain this position for 20 to 30 seconds.
4) Observes both arms: if the motor pathway is intact, the arms should remain in this position equally.
- Patients with a slight weakness in one arm won’t be able to keep the affected arm raised, and ultimately the palm may begin to pronate (palm facing down).
- Pronator drift indicates abnormal function of the corticospinal tract in the contralateral hemisphere.
- In some patients, the arm may remain supinated but drop lower than the unaffected arm, and the fingers and elbow might flex.
What are the Ottawa knee rules?
A set of criteria which guide clinicians as to when an X-ray of a knee is required.
List the Ottawa knee rules.
Age > 55 years
Isolated patella tenderness
Tenderness of the fibular head
Inability to flex the knee to 90 degrees
Inability to bear weight immediately garter injury and in the emergency department.
What is a Patella Tap?
Technique used in an examination of the knee to test for knee effusion aka “water-on-the-knee”.
How to perform a Patella Tap?
- Positions the patient on their back.
- Extends the knee and presses the area above the kneecap with the palm of one hand. This would push any fluid under the patella and lifts it.
- While keeping the pressure on with the first hand, uses the fingers of their other hand to press down on the patella.
If a knee effusion is present, the kneecap will move down and “tap” the bone beneath.
What does the Anterior Drawer Test Assess?
Tests the stability of the knee’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).