Course 4: Physical Exam Flashcards
Objective Information
Physical exam, Lab results, Imaging results
What is a physical exam?
Inspection by the physician of patient’s body systems by inspection, palpation, and auscultation
Inspection
Examination by sight
Palpation
Examination by touch
Auscultation
Examination by listening (with a stethoscope)
Why is the physical exam important?
The physical exam allows the physician to investigate patient complaints and narrow down/rule out diagnoses
What is the scribe’s responsibility for the physical exam?
Document all physical exam findings as the physician is performing the exam
What does belong in the physical exam section of the chart
What the physician:
- Saw
- Heard
- Felt
- Smelled
What does not belong in the physical exam section of the chart
- Symptoms
- Medical history
- Diagnoses
- Any component not inspected
Right
Patient’s right side
Left
Patient’s left side
Anterior
Front
Posterior
Back
Proximal
Near point of attachment
Distal
Far from point of attachment
Medial
Near midline
Lateral
Far from midline
Superior
Above
Inferior
Below
Focal
One area
Diffuse
Widespread
Palmar
Palm of hand
Plantar
Sole of foot
Supeficial
On the surface/shallow
Deep
Away from the surface/further into the body
Body Systems
Constitutional, Eyes, ENT (Ears/Nose/Throat), Neck, Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, Musculoskeletal, Skin, Lymphatic, Neurological, Psychological
Vital Signs
Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, Temperature, Oxygen Saturation
Blood Pressure
Normal: 120/80
Low: Hypotensive
High: Hypertensive
Heart Rate
Normal: 60-100 bpm
Low: Bradycardic
High: Tachycardic
Respiratory Rate
Normal: 12-18 breaths per minute
Low: Bradypneic
High: Tachypneic
Temperature
Normal: 98.6 °F
Low: Hypothermic
High: Febrile (above 100.4 °F)
Oxygen Saturation
Normal: > 96%
Low: Hypoxic (< 92%)
Distress Level Normal (Constitutional)
No acute distress (NAD)
Distress Level Abnormal (Constitutional)
Mild/moderate/severe distress due to pain or respiratory difficulty
Distress Level Method of Investigation (Constitutional)
Visual
General Appearance Normal (Constitutional)
Well developed, Well nourished
General Appearance Abnormal (Constitutional)
Cachectic/Emaciated/Malnourished
General Appearance Method of Investigation (Constitutional)
Visual
Awareness Normal (Constitutional)
Alert
Awareness Abnormal (Constitutional)
Somnolent, Obtunded, Unresponsive
Awareness Method of Investigation (Constitutional)
Visual
Pupils Normal (Eyes)
Pupils Equal, Round, and Reactive to Light (PERRL)
Pupils Abnormal (Eyes)
Fixed and dilated → Stroke, tumor, brain injury, congenital
Pupils Method of Investigation (Eyes)
Visual (shines light in patient’s eye)
Extraocular Movements Normal (Eyes)
Extraocular movements intact (EOMI)
Extraocular Movements Abnormal (Eyes)
EOM entrapment
Extraocular Movements Method of Investigation (Eyes)
Visual (has patient track finger)
Nystagmus Normal (Eyes)
No nystagmus
Nystagmus Abnormal (Eyes)
Nystagmus → Inner ear problem, alcohol or drug use, abnormal brain conditions
Nystagmus Method of Investigation (Eyes)
Visual (has patient track finger)
Sclera Normal (Eyes)
Sclerae anicteric
Sclera Abnormal (Eyes)
Scleral icterus → Liver failure
Sclera Method of Investigation (Eyes)
Visual
Conjunctiva Normal (Eyes)
Normal conjunctiva
Conjunctiva Abnormal (Eyes)
Pale conjunctiva → Anemia
Conjunctival injection → Conjunctivitis
Discharge or crusting → Infection
Conjunctiva Method of Investigation (Eyes)
Visual
Tympanic Membrane (TM) Normal (Ears)
Tympanic membranes (TMs) normal
Tympanic Membrane (TM) Abnormal (Ears)
TM erythema, effusion, bulging, dullness → Otitis media
TM obscured by cerumen → Cannot see TM because of earwax
Tympanic Membrane (TM) Method of Investigation (Ears)
Visual (places otoscope in patient’s ear)
Ear Canal Normal (Ears)
No canal swelling or tenderness
Ear Canal Abnormal (Ears)
Canal swelling or tenderness → Otitis externa
Ear Canal Method of Investigation (Ears)
Visual (places otoscope in patient’s ear)
Discharge Normal (Nose)
No discharge
Discharge Abnormal (Nose)
Clear or yellow discharge
Discharge Method of Investigation (Nose)
Visual
Nasal Mucosa Normal (Nose)
Normal nasal mucosa
Nasal Mucosa Abnormal (Nose)
Boggy turbinates/Swelling of the nasal mucosa → Rhinitis
Nasal Mucosa Method of Investigation (Nose)
Visual (places otoscope in patient’s nare(s))
Nose Bleeding Normal (Nose)
No active bleeding
Nose Bleeding Abnormal (Nose)
Site of bleeding identified → Epistaxis
Nose Bleeding Method of Investigation (Nose)
Visual (places otoscope in patient’s nare(s))
Mucous Membranes Normal (Throat and Mouth)
Moist mucous membranes
Mucous Membranes Abnormal (Throat and Mouth)
Dry mucous membranes → Dehydrated
Mucous Membranes Method of Investigation (Throat and Mouth)
Visual (has patient open mouth)
Oropharynx Normal (Throat and Mouth)
Oropharynx normal
Oropharynx Abnormal (Throat and Mouth)
Pharyngeal erythema → Pharyngitis
Exudates → Pharyngitis, tonsillitis
Tonsillar hypertrophy → Tonsillitis
Tonsillar asymmetry → Peritonsillar abscess
Uvular shift → Peritonsillar abscess
Oropharynx Method of Investigation (Throat and Mouth)
Visual (has patient open mouth, usually uses a light)
Dentition Normal (Throat and Mouth)
Normal dentition
Dentition Abnormal (Throat and Mouth)
Edentulous → No teeth
Dental caries → Cavities
Gum tenderness or edema → Infection
Dentition Method of Investigation (Throat and Mouth)
Visual (has patient open mouth, usually uses a light)
Range of Motion Normal (Neck)
Normal range of motion
Range of Motion Abnormal (Neck)
Limited range of motion
Range of Motion Method of Investigation (Neck)
Visual (has patient move neck)
Meningismus Normal (Neck)
Supple; no meningismus
Meningismus Abnormal (Neck)
Nuchal rigidity; meningismus
Meningismus Method of Investigation (Neck)
Visual (has patient move neck)
Tenderness Normal (Neck)
No tenderness
Tenderness Abnormal (Neck)
Vertebral point tenderness → Fracture
Paraspinal tenderness → Muscle strain
Tenderness Method of Investigation (Neck)
Palpates neck
Lymph Nodes Normal (Neck)
No cervical lymphadenopathy
Lymph Nodes Abnormal (Neck)
Anterior and/or posterior cervical lymphadenopathy → Infection
Lymph Nodes Method of Investigation (Neck)
Palpates side of neck
Jugular Vein Distension (JVD) Normal (Neck)
No jugular vein distension (JVD)
Jugular Vein Distension (JVD) Abnormal (Neck)
Jugular vein distension (JVD) → Heart failure
Jugular Vein Distension (JVD) Method of Investigation (Neck)
Visual
Carotid Bruit Normal (Neck)
No carotid bruit
Carotid Bruit Abnormal (Neck)
Carotid bruit → Carotid artery stenosis
Carotid Bruit Method of Investigation (Neck)
Auscultates (places stethoscope to neck)
Rate Normal (Cardiovascular)
Regular rate
Rate Abnormal (Cardiovascular)
Tachycardia (> 100 bpm)
Bradycardia (< 60 bpm)
Rate Method of Investigation (Cardiovascular)
Auscultate (places stethoscope to chest)
Rhythm Normal (Cardiovascular)
Regular rhythm
Rhythm Abnormal (Cardiovascular)
Irregularly irregular rhythm → A fib
Rhythm Method of Investigation (Cardiovascular)
Auscultate (places stethoscope to chest)
Sounds Normal (Cardiovascular)
Heart sounds normal
Sounds Abnormal (Cardiovascular)
Murmurs → 2/6 systolic ejection murmur
Rubs → Pericarditis
Gallops → Ventricular failure or hypertrophy
Extrasystoles
Sounds Method of Investigation (Cardiovascular)
Auscultate (places stethoscope to chest)
Pulses Normal (Cardiovascular)
2+ (easily palpable, normal)
Pulses Abnormal (Cardiovascular)
0 → Absent pulse
1+ → Barely palpable
3+ → Full
4+ → Bounding/aneurysmal
Pulses Method of Investigation (Cardiovascular)
Palpates pulse in a specific location:
- Carotid - Neck
- Radial - Wrist
- Femoral - Groin
- Dorsalis pedis (DP) - Top of the foot
- Posterior tibial (PT) - Back of the ankle
Capillary Refill Normal (Cardiovascular)
Capillary refill less than 2 seconds
Capillary Refill Abnormal (Cardiovascular)
Delayed capillary refill → Decreased blood flow or dehydration