Examination Procedures Flashcards
What are the five methods of observation used by physicians?
observation, auscultation, palpation, percussion, and mensuration
What is done during observation?
the physician observes the patient’s level of consciousness, nutritional status, skin color, posture, gait, asymmetry, mannerisms and personal hygiene
What instruments can be used when observing a patient?
an ophthalmoscope, otoscope, nasal speculum, vaginal speculum, tongue depressor
What is auscultation?
the process of listening to body sounds with a stethoscope
What is auscultation used for?
to examine the heart, lungs, abdomen, and carotid artery as well as determining a patient’s blood pressure reading
How is a blood pressure reading obtained?
by listening for sounds in the brachial artery using a stethoscope and measuring the force of the blood with a sphygmomanometer
What are the two numbers called in a blood pressure reading?
the first higher number is the systolic pressure, the second lower number is the diastolic pressure
What does the systolic pressure number represent in a BPR?
it is the pressure in the ateries when the heart beats and pushes blood out of the body
What does the diastolic pressure represent in a BPR?
it is the pressure in the ateries when the heart is resting between beats
What is the “normal” blood pressure value for adults?
120/80
What blood pressure value is considered to be hypertension?
140/90
What is palaption?
an examination of the body using tough and is performed with use of the fingertips or one or both hands
What can palpation determine?
size, location, temperature, masses, pulsations, and areas of tenderness
What is percussion?
tapping the body surfaces and hearing the resulting sounds to determine the presence of air and solid masses affecting internal organs
What are the common terms used to describe percussion sounds?
tympanic, resonant, hyper-resonant, and dull
What is mensuration?
examining using the process of measuring
What are the most common positions in an ambulatory care setting?
sitting, supine, prone and lithotomy
How is the patient in the supine position?
the patient lies flat on their back facing up
How is the patient in the prone position?
the patient lies on his or her abdomen
How is the patient in the lithotomy position?
the patient lies on his or her back with knees bent and feet in stirrups
