Pre-Classroom Flashcards (Physical Exam)
Somnolent
Drowsy or sleepy disposition.
General Appearance
Cachectic / Emaciated
Physically wasting (extremely thin)
General Appearance
Morbidly Obese
Large body mass index (BMI)
General Appearance
Nontoxic Appearing
Well-appearing patient in minimal distress (often used to describe normal pediatric patients).
General Appearance
Normocephalic
Normal Appearance and size of the head.
Head
Atraumatic
No signs of trauma present.
Head
Cyanosis
Bluish discoloration of the skin due to a lack of oxygen.
Integumentary
Pallor
Unhealthy paleness of the skin.
Integumentary
Erythema
Superficial reddening of the skin.
Integumentary
Jaundice
Yellowing of skin due to abnormal bilirubin build-up.
Integumentary
Abrasion
Superficial wound to the top most layer of the skin.
Integumentary
Contusion
A region of skin in which blood capillaries are ruptured; AKA bruise.
Integumentary
Ecchymosis
An area of ruptured blood vessels similar to a contusion; AKA bruise.
Integumentary
Laceration
A cut in the skin.
Integumentary
Puncture
A small hole in the skin.
Integumentary
Wheal
Round, localized area of edema on the skin.
Integumentary
Wheal-and-Flare
(a reaction) rash or hives (irregular, blanched raised areas with redness).
Integumentary
Urticaria
Hives or wheals which are either redder or paler than the surrounding area and are often accompanied by itching.
Integumentary
Maculopapular
Rash or hives (flat red area covered with small confluent bumps).
Integumentary
Pustules
Small collection of pus under the skin.
Integumentary
Bullae
Fluid-filled blisters
Integumentary
Petechiae
A small round flat dark-red spot caused by bleeding into the skin or beneath the mucus membrane.
Integumentary
Purpura
Purple spots or blotches (don’t turn white when pressed).
Integumentary
Induration
A hardened area of normally soft tissue
Integumentary
Fluctuance
Movable and compressible.
Integumentary
Hemangioma
A benign tumor consisting of blood vessels.
Integumentary
Decubitus Ulcer
Injury to skin and underlying tissue due to prolonged pressure on the skin.
Integumentary
Cornea
The transparent coat of the eyeball that covers the iris and pupil; lets light into the eye.
Eyes
Sclera
The dense fibrous opaque oter coat enclosing the eyeball - except the part covered by the cornea.
Eyes
Conjunctiva
White area of the eyes.
Eyes
Icterus
Yellowing of sclera due to bilirubin build-up (often seen with jaundice).
Eyes
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
Bright red patches in conjunctiva of eyes due to ruptured blood vessels.
Eyes
Extraocular Movements Intact (EOMI)
Appropriate function of the extraocular muscles, tested with “follow my finger”
Eyes
Pupils equal, round and reactive to light (PERRL)
normal evaluation of the size, shape of the pupils and their reaction to light.
Eyes
Papilledema
swelling of the optic disk due to an increase in intracranial pressure
Eyes
Visual Acuity
acuteness / sharpness of vision as measured by the eye chart
Eyes
Exophthalmos
Bulging of eyes out of socket
Eyes
Nystagmus
involuntary rapid eye movements - often reported as horizontal, vertical, or rotary.
Eyes
Erythema of the External Canal
redness of the outer ear canal
Ears
Cerumen Impaction
excessive earwax
Ears
Tympanic Membrane (TM)
Eardrum
Ears
Erythematous TM
red color of the TM
Ears
Bulging TM
protruding / outward curvature of the TM.
Ears
Retracted TM
inward curve of the TM
Ears
Poor Light Reflect
cone of light does not reflect on TM
Ears
Unable to Visualize Landmarks
Provider cannot see landmarks behind TM
Ears
Hemotympanum
Blood on the TM
Ears
Mastoid Tenderness
tenderness over masoid bone (located posterior to ear)
Ears
Clear Rhinorrhea
clear nasal drainage
Nose
Septal Deviation
displacement of nasal septum
Nose
Septal Hematoma
bruising or bleeding in the nasal septum
Nose
Dry Mucous Membranes
dry mouth
Mouth
Tongue Laceration
cut on the tongue
Mouth
No Signs of Oral Trauma
no cuts / chipped teeth / etc.
Mouth
Dental Caries
cavities
Mouth
Poor Dentition
bad teeth
Mouth
Pericoronitis
infection of the gums
Mouth
Parotid Mass
enlargement of the parotid gland
Mouth
Trismus
inability to open mouth normally due to spasm of the jaw muscles
Mouth
Normal Jaw Approximation
normal jaw alignment
Mouth
Malocclusion
misalignment of the teeth when mouth is closed
Mouth
Uvula Midline
no deviation of the uvula to one side or another
Throat
Pharyngeal Erythema
redness of the throat
Throat
Pharyngeal Exudate
pus seen on the posterior throat
Throat
Peritonsilar Abscess
deep abscess adjacted to infected tonsils (collection of pus/swelling which is usually only visible if drained)
Throat
Neck Supple
normal movement / bending of the neck
Neck
Carotid Bruit
abnormal flow of blood through the carotid artery
Neck
Jugular Vein Distension
swelling of the jugular vein (usually seen in heart failure patients)
Neck
Cervical Vertebral Tenderness
pain along cervical spine
Neck
No step-offs or crepitus
no misalignment of the vertebral bodies (spinous processes) as the spine is palpated
Neck
Anterior Cervical Lymphadenopathy
swollen lymph nodes under jaw and along anterior neck area
Neck
Trachea Midline
no deviation of trachea from its usual location
Neck
Meningismus
patient has neck stiffness, photophobia, and headache which may suggest meningitis
Neck
Nuchal Rigidity
neck stiffness with neck movement
Neck
Bradycardia
slow heart rate; less than 60 BPM
Heart
Tachycardia
fast heart rate; greater than 100 BPM
Heart
Murmur
An abnormal sound heard when listening to the heart.
Heart
Systolic Murmur
heart murmur heard during systole (active pumping)
Heart
Diastolic Murmur
heart murmur heard during diastole (rest/active filling)
Heart
Distant heart sounds
faint-sounding heart bearts
Heart
Rubs
coarse sounds produced when the heart “rubs” on inflamed pericardium (heart tissue) during contractions
Heart
Gallops
extra/abnormal heart sounds (should only heart 2 distinct sounds, but you hear 3 or 4 sounds)
Heart
Clear to Auscultation (CTA)
no abnormal sounds heard with stethoscope
Respiratory
Bradypnea
abnormally slow breathing
Respiratory
Tachypnea
abnormally rapid breathing
Respiratory
Apnea
temporary absence or cessation of breathing
Respiratory
Prolonged Inspiratory Expiratory Phase
increased time between inspiratory and expiratory phases
Respiratory
Rales / Crackles
wet, crackling sound with respiration
Respiratory
Rhonchi
a whistling or snoring sound heard on auscultation of the chest when air channels are partially obstructed; plural of rhonchus.
Respiratory
Wheezes
difficult breathing with a whistling sound resulting from narrowing of the lumen of the respiratory passageways
Respiratory
Stridor
harsh or high-pitched respiratory sound, caused by an obstruction of the air passages
Respiratory
Intercostal Retractions
use of intercostal muscles with breathing (indicates severe respiratory distress / work of breathing) - sunken intercostal muscles (cas see ribs)
Respiratory
Accessory Muscle Use
using extra muscles to breath (you can usually see an emphasis on use of diaphragm oand intercostal muscles)
Respiratory
Costovertebral Angle Tenderness (CVAT)
angle in back where kidneys are (HCP taps); left, reight and bilateral - if pain then possible kidney pathology.
Back
Paraspinal Muscle Tenderness
tenderness in muscles adjactent to spine
Back
Midline Tenderness
tenderness directly over spine
Back
No step-offs
no misalignment of thoracic/lumbar spine
Back
Straight Leg Raise
if pain, indivative of herniated disk
Back
Saddle Anesthesia
loss of sensation around buttocks area
Back
Distension
bloating
Gastrointestinal
Gravid
pregnant
Gastrointestinal
Ascites
accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity
Gastrointestinal
Tympanitic
sound generated by examiner tapping his/her finger in contact with the distended belly due to extra gas / air in the large or small intestine.
Gastrointestinal
Organomegaly
enlarged organ
Gastrointestinal
Hepatomegaly
enlarged liver
Gastrointestinal
Splenomegaly
enlarged spleen
Gastrointestinal
Murphy’s Sign
pain in right upper quadrant that may indicate gallbladder infection
Gastrointestinal
Rovsing’s Sign
palpation of the left lower quadrant cuses right lower quadrant pain that may indicate appendicitis.
Gastrointestinal
McBurney’s Point Tenderness
tenderness to palpation in the mid-point of the right lower quadrant (RLQ) which can indiccate appendicitis.
Gastrointestinal
Umbilical hernia
outward protrusion of intra-abdominal tissue and/or bowel through belly button
Gastrointestinal
Grey Turner’s Sign
bruising in flank area (lower back area)
Gastrointestinal
Cullen’s Sign
bruising in the skin around the umbilicus
Gastrointestinal
Guaiac (Hemoccult)
Positive or Negative
blood present / absent in stool
Rectal
Rectal Tone
tone of rectal muscles during digital exam
Rectal
Melena
dark, tarry like stool containing blood
Rectal
Cervical Motion Tenderness (CMT)
pain with movement of cervix
Pelvic
Adnexal tenderness
tenderness in location of the ovaries and fallopian tubes
Pelvic
Os Open / Closed
cervical os (opening to cervix) is open or closed
Pelvic
Vaginal Vault
Vaginal canal
Pelvic
POC
product of conception (fetus, placenta, etc.)
Pelvic
Clubbing
deformity of finger / fingernail due to chronic cyanosis
Extremities
Snuff Box Tenderness
pain in certain area of the wrist indicating a possible scaphoid bone fracture
Extremities
Median / Ulnar / Radial Sensory Function
all these nerves run in forearm…tested in the hand exam
Extremities
Pain Out of Proportion
excessive pain not matching the expected with pressure applied by the doctor
Extremities
Valgus / Varus Stress Test
evaluation for knee instability
Extremities
Homan’s Sign
pain in calf or popliteal region
Extremities
Pitting Edema
persistent indention of an area of skin when pressed on by the provider due to excess edema
Extremities
AKA / BKA
Above knee amputation / Below Knee Amputation
Extremities
Ligamentous Laxity
loose ligaments
Extremities
McMurray’s Test
rotation of knee causes pain
Extremities
Lachman’s Test
pivot shift test causes pain
Extremities
Bursa
small fluid filled sack surrounding a joint
Extremities
Aphasia
loss of ability to express or understand speech
Neurological
Dysphasia
having a difficult time finding what words to say
Neurological
Dysarthria
difficult time communicating or articulation (i.e. slurred speech)
Neurological
Purposeful Movements
patient moves upon painful stimulation
Neurological
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
a scoring system used to describe the level of consciousness in a person following a traumatic brain injury.
Neurological
Localizes to pain
withdraws extremity where painful stimulation is applied
Neurological
Grip Strength
tested usually by patient gripping HCP’s fingers (L+R+Bi)
Neurological
Pronator Drift
hold palms out upwards and look for movement of palms (rotation)
Neurological
Dysmetria
finger to nose exam
Neurological
Dysdiadochokinesia
inability to perform rapid alternating movements
Neurological
Ataxic Gait
walking abnormally and / or unsteady
Neurological
Heel to Shin Test
test for coordination
Neurological
Romberg’s Test
patient stands up with feet together and arms out to see if they can balance
Neurological
Heel Toe Gait
tests the stability of a patient’s gait.
Neurological
Babinski Sign
a reflex - swipe sole of foot to see if big toe flexes up
Neurological
Reflexes
involuntary / instantaneous movement
Neurological
Affect
observed emotional state of a person
Psychiatric
Orientation
orientation to person, place, time, and event (A/O x 4)
also can be A/O x 3 depending on where individual did medical training
Psychiatric
Hallucinations (auditory or visual)
an experience involving the apparent perception of something not present
Psychiatric
Suicidal (SI) / Homicidal Ideation (HI)
thoughts of suicide / thought of homocide
Psychiatric
