Physical Examination Flashcards
- General Appearance
- patient’s body language
- state of grooming
- nutritional status
- level of anxiety
- degree of pain or comfort
- mental status
- speech patterns
- use of language
- Vital signs
blood pressure, heart rate, respirations, temperature, height and weight
- Head and Neck Examination
assess for facial and periorbital edema, pupillary responses, funduscopic exam, jugular venous pressure, palpitation of thyroid, and carotid arteries auscultated
- Breast Examination
inspect for symmetry, skin or nipple retraction (w/ hands on hips and raised), breasts should be palpitated systematically (sitting and supine) to assess for masses
- Cardiac Examination
Point of maximal impulse (PMI) should be assessed for size and location, auscultation of the heart at apex and base (listen for heart sounds, murmurs, or clicks)
- Pulmonary Examination
exam lung fields systematically and thoroughly (assess for wheezes, rales, rhonchi, and bronchial breath sounds)
- Abdominal Examination
- inspect for scars, distension, and discoloration
- auscultation of bowel (identify normal vs high pitched vs. hyperactive sounds)
- percussion of abdomen to assess liver and spleen size
- palpitate pain area, assess tenderness
- Back and Spine examination
assess symmetry, tenderness, masses, and flank regions
- Genitalia
Females - external pelvic exam and w/ speculum, evaluation of vagina and cervix
Males - inspection of penis and testes, palpitation of inguinal region for hernias
- Rectal Examination
digital rectal exam, masses should be assessed, and stool for occult blood (prostate gland in males should be assessed for enlargement or nodules)
- Extremities
examination for joint effusions, tenderness, edema, cyanosis
- Neurological Examination
assess mental status, cranial nerves, motor strength, sensation, and reflexes
- Skin
examine for pigmented lesions, cyanosis, or rashes
