Normal and abnormal findings

Question 1

Physical Appearance – Age

Answer 1

Normal: Appears stated age.
Abnormal: Appears older than stated age (e.g., chronic illness, alcoholism).

Question 2

Physical Appearance – Sex

Answer 2

Normal: Sexual development appropriate for age and gender.
Abnormal: Delayed or precocious puberty.

Question 3

Physical Appearance – Level of Consciousness

Answer 3

Normal: Alert, oriented, attentive, and responding appropriately.
Abnormal: Confused, drowsy, lethargic.

Question 4

Physical Appearance – Skin Colour

Answer 4

Normal: Even tone, intact skin, no lesions.
Abnormal: Pallor, cyanosis, jaundice, erythema, lesions.

Question 5

Physical Appearance – Facial Features

Answer 5

Normal: Symmetrical with movement.
Abnormal: Immobile, mask-like, asymmetrical, drooping.

Question 6

Physical Appearance – Signs of Distress

Answer 6

Normal: No signs of distress.
Abnormal: Respiratory distress (e.g., shortness of breath, wheezing), pain (e.g., grimacing, guarding).

Question 7

Body Structure – Stature

Answer 7

Normal: Height within normal range for age/genetics.
Abnormal: Excessively short/tall.

Question 8

Body Structure – Nutrition

Answer 8

Normal: Weight normal for height and build, even fat distribution.
Abnormal: Cachectic, emaciated, centripetal obesity (e.g., Cushing’s syndrome).

Question 9

Body Structure – Symmetry

Answer 9

Normal: Body parts equal bilaterally, proportional.
Abnormal: Unilateral atrophy, hypertrophy, or asymmetry.

Question 10

Body Structure – Posture

Answer 10

Normal: Erect and aligned (exceptions: toddlers, older adults with kyphosis).
Abnormal: Rigid spine/neck (e.g., arthritis), slumped shoulders (e.g., depression).

Question 11

Body Structure – Position

Answer 11

Normal: Sits comfortably, relaxed arms, head turned toward examiner.
Abnormal: Tripod position (e.g., chronic pulmonary disease), sitting upright/resisting lying down.

Question 12

Body Structure – Body Build/Contour

Answer 12

Normal: Normal proportions (e.g., arm span equals height, crown-to-pubis equals pubis-to-sole).
Abnormal: Elongated arms (e.g., Marfan’s syndrome), missing/extremities deformities.

Question 13

Mobility – Gait

Answer 13

Normal: Smooth, even, well-balanced, symmetrical arm swing.
Abnormal: Wide base, staggering, shuffling, dragging, or difficulty stopping (propulsion).

Question 14

Mobility – Range of Motion (ROM)

Answer 14

Normal: Full joint mobility, smooth, coordinated movements, no involuntary motions.
Abnormal: Limited ROM, paralysis, jerky/uncoordinated movements, tics, tremors, or seizures.

Question 15

Behavior – Facial Expression

Answer 15

Normal: Maintains eye contact, appropriate expressions for situation.
Abnormal: Flat, depressed, angry, anxious expressions.

Question 16

Behavior – Mood and Affect

Answer 16

Normal: Comfortable, cooperative, and pleasant interaction.
Abnormal: Hostile, distrustful, suspicious, crying.

Question 17

Behavior – Speech

Answer 17

Normal: Clear articulation, fluent, even-paced, appropriate word choice.
Abnormal: Dysarthria, monotone, garbled speech, extremes (e.g., very few or excessive talking).

Question 18

Behavior – Dress

Answer 18

Normal: Appropriate for climate, clean, fits well, aligns with cultural norms.
Abnormal: Ill-fitting clothing (e.g., weight loss or gain), inappropriate for climate or context.

Question 19

Behavior – Personal Hygiene

Answer 19

Normal: Clean, well-groomed, hair and makeup appropriate for age/culture.
Abnormal: Unkempt, body odour, alcohol scent, neglected hygiene (may indicate depression or illness).