Physical Head to Toe Exam

Question 1

What is Step 1 for the PHYSICAL (HEAD-TO-TOE) EXAMINATION?

Answer 1

HEAD, FACE, AND NECK

Question 2

What is Step 2 for the PHYSICAL (HEAD-TO-TOE) EXAMINATION?

Answer 2

SHOULDERS

Question 3

What is Step 3 for the PHYSICAL (HEAD-TO-TOE) EXAMINATION?

Answer 3

CHEST

Question 4

What is Step 4 for the PHYSICAL (HEAD-TO-TOE) EXAMINATION?

Answer 4

ABDOMEN

Question 5

What is Step 5 for the PHYSICAL (HEAD-TO-TOE) EXAMINATION?

Answer 5

PELVIS

Question 6

What is Step 6 for the PHYSICAL (HEAD-TO-TOE) EXAMINATION?

Answer 6

GROIN

Question 7

What is Step 7 for the PHYSICAL (HEAD-TO-TOE) EXAMINATION?

Answer 7

LOWER EXTREMITIES

Question 8

What is Step 8 for the PHYSICAL (HEAD-TO-TOE) EXAMINATION?

Answer 8

UPPER EXTREMITIES

Question 9

What is Step 9 for the PHYSICAL (HEAD-TO-TOE) EXAMINATION?

Answer 9

SPINE AND BACK

Question 10

What is Step 10 for the PHYSICAL (HEAD-TO-TOE) EXAMINATION?

Answer 10

CIRCULATION, SENSATION, AND MOTION (CSM)

Question 11

What are the steps for the HEAD, FACE, AND NECK?

Answer 11

Carefully remove hats, helmets, sunglasses, etc.
Examine the head and scalp.
Check eyes, nose, and mouth.
Check in the ears and behind and below the ears.
Feel along the muscles and bones of the neck.
Check for tracheal alignment. Check for medical ID tag.

Question 12

What are the steps for the SHOULDERS?

Answer 12

Check one shoulder at a time.
Be sure to include upper scapula, clavicle, and upper humerus.

Question 13

What are the steps for the CHEST?

Answer 13

Spread hands over sides of chest wall.
Check for instability and/or asymmetry on inspiration:
once high on the chest,
once low on the chest.
Ask the patient to take a deep breath on both checks.

Question 14

What are the steps for the ABDOMEN?

Answer 14

Press and roll with flattened fingers on each of the four quadrants.

Question 15

What are the steps for the PELVIS?

Answer 15

With hands cupped on the iliac crests, press in.

Question 16

What are the steps for the GROIN?

Answer 16

Check as needed.

Question 17

What are the steps for the LOWER EXTREMITIES?

Answer 17

Check one leg at a time with hands encircling the extremity.
Check from hip to toes. Check feet for Circulation, Sensation, Motion (CSM).

Question 18

What are the steps for the UPPER EXTREMITIES?

Answer 18

Check one arm at a time with hands encircling the extremity.
Check from upper humerus to fingers.
Check hands for CSM.
Check for medical ID tag.

Question 19

What are the steps for the SPINE AND BACK?

Answer 19

If the patient is lying on their back and there is an MOI that could have injured the spine, protect the spine with a log roll to position the patient on their side for assessment.
If no MOI, the patient may sit up.
Check for pain, tenderness, bruises, and other wounds along the back, spine, and flanks. Reach underneath bulky clothing to palpate the spine.

Question 20

What are the steps for the CIRCULATION, SENSATION, AND MOTION (CSM)?

Answer 20

Circulation: Assess for radial pulse in the hands, assess for pedal pulse or warmth in the feet.
Sensation: Ask the patient if they have any abnormal sensations: tingling, numbness, hot or cold. Identify finger/toe being touched.
Motion: Wiggle fingers/toes, squeeze hands, push/pull on feet.