General Examination

Question 1

Name the four key features of examination.

Answer 1

Inspection=looking
Percussion=tapping
Palpation=feeling
Auscultation=listening

Question 2

What side of the bed do you generally use for general examination?

Answer 2

Right side of the bed.

Left is acceptable if there is any difficulty doing so from the right.

Question 3

List the examination sequence.

Answer 3

-Check to see if all equipment is there (holistic overview)
-Hands
-Arms
-Head
-Neck
-Anterior chest
-Lower limbs

Question 4

What are the three things to do when you first enter the room?

Answer 4

Introduction
Explanation
Consent

Question 5

Discuss what you would look for/do in the general examination of the hands.

Answer 5

-Look at colour
-Look if hands are symmetrical
-Ask if patient feels pain
-Determine mobility of fingers by moving them
-Look for nodes
-Look and feel at nails
-Observe palm colour
-Feel hand for moisture and temperature
-Observe for tremor
-Ask patient to stretch out arms and fingers
-Ask patient to bend back wrists and keep it that way for 15 seconds
-Ask patient to make a fist

Question 6

Describe what you would do for the general examination of the arms.

Answer 6

-Inspect both arms for evidence of bruising, venous tracking, puncture marks, self harm scars.
-Pinch up the skin of the forearm to see if the patient is hydrated.

Question 7

Describe what you would do for the general examination of the head.

Answer 7

-Check ears for abnormalities.
-Check eyes (pupils unequal etc.).
-Check whites of eyes are white
-Ask patient to look up and use finger to pull down eyelid to check conjuctivity (should be pink/red not pale).
-Check lips are inner walls of the cheeks
-Check tonsils for signs of infections
-Check gums.
-Ask patient to stick out tongue and inspect it.

Question 8

Describe what you would do for the general examination of the neck.

Answer 8

-Feel for lymph nodes.

Question 9

Describe what you would do for the general examination of the anterior chest.

Answer 9

-Check for skin lesions
-Hold down skin to see how quickly colour returns

Question 10

Describe what you would do for the general examination of the lower limbs.

Answer 10

-Compare both sides for health of the skin.
-Check temperature and colour of skin.
-Check for oedema (press skin and see it reforms (idk if that makes sense soz)
-Look at joints for inflammation or swelling.
-Check all toes move
-Look on soles of feet for ulcers or callous formation

Question 11

How should you finish the examination?

Answer 11

-Let the patient know that you have finished
-Thank them
-Invite them to put their top on again.

ps clean your hands