OSCE #2 Flashcards
Identify and locate the apex and base of the heart.
The apex of the heart is the tip of the left ventricle. It is found in the midclavicular line near the 5th intercostal space.
The base of the heart is the junction between the heart and the great vessels. It is found just below the sternal angle.
Identify and locate the aortic area.
The aortic area is found in the right 2nd intercostal space.
Identify and locate the pulmonic area.
The pulmonic area is found in the left 2nd intercostal space.
Identify and locate the surface projection on the precordium of the right atrium
The precordium of the right atrium is the right heart border and is found from the right 2nd intercostal space to the 3rd-4th right intercostal space.
Identify and locate the surface projection on the precordium of the right vetricle.
The precordium of the right ventricle occupies most of the anterior cardiac surface. It is a wedge-like structure behind and to the left of the sternum. The inferior border is just below the junction of the sternum and xiphoid process. It narrows superiorly and meets the pulmonary artery at the left 3rd intercostal space near the sternum.
Identify and locate the surface projection on the precordium of the left ventricle.
The left ventricle is the left lateral border of the anterior cardiac surface.
Locate, count, and describe the patient’s radial pulse and respiratory rate.
Utilize the finger pads and describe beats/min and rhythm.
Locate, count, and describe the patient’s carotid pulse.
Check for ONE carotid pulse; place the fingertips in the lower half to lower third of the neck, medial to SCM, about the level of the cricoid cartilage.
How do you determine the correct BP cuff size for the patient? Demonstrate this.
The width of the blood pressure cuff should be about 40% of the circumference of the patient’s arm. The length of the bladder (not the entire cuff) should be about 80% of the circumference of the patient’s arm.
What happens to BP if one uses a BP cuff that is too small for a patient?
BP reading is falsely elevated when the cuff is too small.
Describe the technique and correctly measure the patient’s BP by palpation in one arm.
Place the cuff on the skin about 2-3 cm above the antecubital fossa. Find the radial pulse, then blow up the cuff until the pulse disappears + 20 mmHg. Slowly release the air in the cuff (about 3 mmHg/s). When the pulse returns, this is the estimate of the systolic blood pressure.
Correctly measure (auscultate) BP in one extremity.
The patient’s arm should be relaxed with the brachial artery elevated to about heart level. Find the radial pulse, then blow up the cuff to 20-30 mmHg above the systolic BP from palpation. Air should be released from the cuff slowly. When the pulse returns, this is the estimate of the systolic blood pressure. When the pulse disappears again, this is the diastolic pressure.
Describe what the maximal height of the internal jugular vein represents.
The maximal height of the internal jugular vein indicates right atrial pressure, which reflects hydration or volume status.
Identify the point of maximal height of the internal jugular vein on the patient and measure the JVP.
From the patient’s right side, have the patient lay back (adjust table to 30-45 degrees). Point out the height of the right internal jugular neck vein by having the patient turn their head slightly to the left. Place a ruler on the sternal angle and use a horizontal surface from the point of maximal height of the right internal jugular vein. Add 5 cm to this measurement to get the patient’s JVP.
Palpate the precordium in 4 areas and identify the PMI (apical impulse).
This examination is done on the skin with the patient lying flat. You may ask the patient to roll 45 degrees to the left, exhale fully, and hold breath to find the PMI. Use the palmar surface of the hand (ball of the hand) to palpate. The 4 locations are the apex (PMI), left parasternal area (left 3rd-5th intercostal space), pulmonic area (left 2nd intercostal space), and aortic area (right 2nd intercostal space).
Correctly auscultate the heart in 4 locations.
This examination is done on the skin with the patient supine or at most 30 degrees. Use the diaphragm first; then use the bell. The 4 locations are the apex (PMI), left parasternal area (left 3rd-5th intercostal space) pulmonic area (left 2nd intercostal space), and aortic area (right 2nd intercostal space).
Locate and identify the area on the precordium where splitting of S2 is best auscultated.
Splitting of S2 is best auscultated over the pulmonic area (left 2nd intercostal space)
Inspect nails, palms, skin, and joints of each hand.
Look for nail changes, cyanosis, rashes or skin lesions, bony or muscular abnormalities, joint swelling, or erythema.
Demonstrate the passive and active range of motion of the following joints of the hand: distal interphalangeal, pxorimal interphalangeal, metacarpophalangeal.
- Flexion/Extension
- Abduction/Adduction
Demonstrate the passive and active range of motion of the following joints: wrist.
- Flexion/Extension
- Radial/Ulnar deviation
- Supination/Pronation
Locate, inspect, and palpate the anatomical snuff box.
The anatomical snuff box is the hollowed depression just distal to the radial styloid process formed by the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicus longus of the thumb where the scaphoid bone may be palpable.
Locate, inspect, and palpate the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon.
The extensor carpi ulnaris tendon is felt best just distal to the ulnar styloid with the wrist in ulnar deviation.
Demonstrate the passive and active range of motion of the elbow.
- Flexion/Extension
- Pronation/Supination
Locate, inspect, and palpate the medial and lateral epicondyles.
The medial and lateral epicondyles are the bony protuberances located on the distal aspect of the humerus. The lateral epicondyle is the common extensor origin; the medial epicondyle is the common flexor origin.
Demonstrate the passive and active range of the motion of the shoulder (glenohumeral joint).
- Flexion
- Abduction
- Internal Rotation (thumbs up the back)
- External Rotation (grab the back of your neck)
Locate, inspect, and palpate the sternoclavicular joint
The sternoclavicular joint is the junction of the clavicle with the sternum.
Locate, inspect, and palpate the acromioclavicular joint.
The AC joint is located on the superior aspect of the shoulder as a small depression where the clavicle meets the acromion.
Locate, inspect, and palpate the spine of the scapula.
The spine of the scapula is a bony landmark palpated on the back of the scapula.
Locate, inspect, and palpate the coracoid process.
The coracoid process is palpated inferior to the AC joint on the anterior aspect of the shoulder; often tender to palpation.
Locate, inspect, and palpate the greater tuberosity and biceps tendon.
The greater tuberosity and biceps tendon is palpated at the proximal aspect of the humerus anteriorly.
Inspect and demonstrate the range of motion of the cervical spine.
- Flexion (chin to chest)
- Extension (look up at the ceiling)
- Lateral Rotation (turn chin towards shoulder)
- Side bending (tilt ear to shoulder)
Locate the spinous process of C7.
C7 moves with lateral rotation of the neck.
Inspect and demonstrate the range of motion of the thoracic and lumbar spine.
- Flexion/Extension
- Rotation
- Side Bending
Demonstrate the range of motion of the hip (femoracetabular) joint.
- Flexion
- Extension
- Abduction/Adduction (check supine with hip flexed/extended, seated, and prone)
- Internal Rotation/External Rotation (follow the knee)
Locate, inspect, and palpate the greater trochanter of the femur and trochanteric bursa.
The greater trochanter of the femur is the bony prominence on the lateral aspect of the proximal femur. The trochanteric bursa lies on top.
Inspect and evaluate the knee and leg for deformities.
Evaluate for varus (bow-legged) and valgus (knock-kneed) alignment.
Demonstrate the range of motion of the knee (tibiofemoral joint).
Flexion/Extension
Locate, inspect, and palpate the quadriceps tendon.
The quadriceps tendon is palpated from the superior aspect of the patella to the quadriceps muscle.
Locate, inspect, and palpate the patellar tendon.
The patellar tendon is palpated from the inferior aspect of the patella to the tibial tuberosity.
Locate, inspect, and palpate the tibial tubercle.
The tibial tubercle is the bony prominence on the tibia directly inferior to the patella where the patellar tendon attaches.
Locate, inspect, and palpate the medial collateral ligament (MCL).
The MCL is located on the inside of the knee connecting the femur to the tibia.