Physical Exam Intro Flashcards
The first component of physical examination is ____.
inspection
The second component of physical examination involves ____.
palpation
T or F. Tenderness is therefore an objective finding – that is, something that can be observed.
T. Contrast this with pain, which is a verbal expression of discomfort by the patient. Pain is thus a subjective finding.
Subjective findings, that is, those expressed by the patient, are known as ____. Objective findings, that is, those that are observable to an examiner, are known as ___.
symptoms; signs
Thus, pain is a symptom and tenderness is a sign.
Symptoms are obtained during the medical history; signs are observed during the physical examination.
Symptoms are obtained during the medical history; signs are observed during the physical examination.
The third general component of physical examination involves ____.
percussion
The last general component of physical examination is _____.
auscultation, or listening
What should you begin the description of every physical examination with?
the general description of the patient.
First impressions, Hygiene, Comfort, Level of consciousness, Gait, movement, posture, position, etc.
Notes about palpation.
o For tactile discrimination, use your fingertips.
o For temperature sense, use the dorsa of your hands or fingers.
o For vibration, use the palmar aspects of your MCP joints or the ulnar side of hand.
What are the two types of percussion?
sonorous and definitive
What is sonorous percussion?
using the emitted sound to infer the character of the underlying tissue (e.g.,
tympanitic tones suggest a hollow air-filled viscus)
What is definitive percussion?
using differences in the emitted sounds to define, or outline, the position and
size of underlying organs (e.g., assessing liver span)
Describe the appropriate exam order in an ambulatory patient.
- general inspection
- head/neck
- back/posterior thorax, lungs
- anterior thorax and lungs
- heart
- abdomen
- extremities
- genitalia
- rectum
Describe the appropriate exam order in a bed-bound patient.
- general inspection
- head, right
- head, left
- neck
- back, posterior thorax
- anterior thorax and lungs
- heart, left lateral
- heart, sitting up
- abdomen
- genitalia
- rectum
