Physical Examinations Flashcards
Method of a physical examination
Looking at the effected part of the body
Scientific principles of a visual examination
Looking for swelling, distortion or general abnormality
Can reveal conditions such as arthritis skin rashes
Method of a stethoscope
Place ear pieces in ears
Place metal disk onto skin (either chest or back depending on what they are listening for)
Listen to the breathing or the heart rate
Scientific principles of the stethoscope
It channels sounds from the lungs or heart via a small metal dish along two tubes to the GPs ears. The sound is not amplified, but the background noise is eliminated.
Method of palpation
Use the fingers to feel parts of the patients body
Scientific principles of palpation
Some abnormalities of organs can be detected through the skin
The GP can discover is the patient feels pain when the organ is subjected to pressure
Method of percussion
Hold three fingers against the patients body
Tap these fingers with the other hand
Listen to the sound
Scientific principles of percussion
A hollow sound indicates an area is containing air
A dull sound indicates a solid mass under the surface
A dull and muffled sound in the lungs indicates the presence of fluid
Method of patellar reflex testing
Leg must be relaxed, with all weight resting on the thigh
One leg must be crossed over the other at the knee
A rubber hammer is used to tap just below the patellar
The lower leg should jerk upwards
Scientific principles of the patellar reflex
When the joint is tapped, it stretches the tendon and sends a nerve impulse to the spinal cord. This triggers another nerve impulse from the spinal cord, which triggers the thigh muscle to contract. The result is that the lower leg jerks upwards.
If this does not occur, then this may indicate damage or disease to the nerve pathway or to the spinal cord.
Method of testing the iris reflex
Use a touch to shine a light into the patient’s eye, watch the iris/pupil.
Scientific principles to testing the iris reflex
Circular muscles of the iris contract, the pupil constructs so that less light enters the eye.
Method of testing blood pressure
Place the rubber cuff of the sphygmomanometer around the arm (just above the elbow). Inflate the cuff and put the stethoscope on the arm below the cuff. Slowly let air out of the cuff while listening for a pulse with the stethoscope. Record the pressure reading on the gauge when the pulse can be heard (systolic pressure). Let more air out of the cuff until the pulse disappears; record this pressure reading (diastolic pressure). Now let the rest of the air out of the cuff and remove from the patient’s arm.
Scientific principles of taking blood pressure
First the pressure cuts off the pulse as it restricts arterial blood flow. When the pressure is released, the blood can begin squirting through the constricted artery. When even less pressure is put onto the artery, the sound of the blood pushed past the constricted area stops.
Method of taking temperature of the mouth
Clean the oral thermometer with rubbing alcohol or boiling water before use. Place the tip of the thermometer under the tongue and ensure the mouth is closed. Hold it in this position for 40 seconds (or until it beeps). Record the reading and clean using the same method as before.
Method of taking the temperature of the inner ear
This is usually an infrared thermometer that is used and a clean tip should be attached before use. Pull the ear back before gently inserting the thermometer until the ear canal is fully sealed off. Wait for it to beep; at this point it should be removed and the temperature should be recorded
Method of taking the temperature of the rectum
Clean the digital thermometer with rubbing alcohol or boiling water. Cover the tip with thermometer and place the baby on its back. Gently insuperable the thermometer into the rectum about 2.5 cm. it will beep after 1 minute. Clean it using the same method as earlier.
Method of taking the forehead temperature
A thermometer strip is placed on the forehead for 30 seconds. Read and record the number displayed.
Method of taking the armpit temperature.
Clean the thermometer with rubbing alcohol or in boiling water. Place the tip in the centre of the armpit and tuck the arm snugly against the body. Leave this until it beeps when you must remove it and record the temperature. Clean the thermometer as before.
Scientific principles of a mercury/glass thermometer
As the temperature of the liquid in the thermometer gets hotter, its volume expands. This increases the height of the liquid in the narrow tube. The relationship between the temperature and the column’s height is linear over the small temperature range for which the thermometer is used. A normal body temperature is 36.8c and 39c and over indicates a fever. The cause of a fever is usually an infectious disease.
