The Physical Exam Flashcards
somnolent
general; drowsy or sleepy disposition
cachectic/emaciated
general; physically wasting (extremely thin)
morbidly obese
general; large body mass index (BMI)
nontoxic appearing
general; well-appearing patient in minimal distress (often used for pediatric patients)
normocephalic
head; normal appearance and size of head
atraumatic
head; no signs of trauma present
cyanosis*
skin; bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen
pallor
skin; an unhealthy paleness of the skin
erythema
skin; superficial reddening of the skin
jaundice
skin; yellowing of the skin due to abnormal bilirubin build-up
abrasion
skin; superficial wound to the top most layer of the skin
contusion
skin; a region of the skin in which blood capillaries are ruptures, aka bruise
ecchymosis
skin; an area of ruptured blood vessels similar to a contusion; aka a bruise
laceration*
skin; a cut in the skin
puncture
skin; a small hole in the skin
wheal
round, localized area of edema on the skin
wheal-and-flare
skin; a reaction of rash or hives (irregular, blanch raised areas with redness)
urticaria
skin; hives or wheals which are either redder or paler than the surrounding area and are often accompanied by itching
maculopapular
skin; rash or hives (flat red area covered with small confluent bumps)
pustules
skin; small collection of pus under the skin
bullae
skin; fluid-filled blisters
petechiae
skin; a small round flat dark-red spot caused by bleeding into the skin or beneath the mucus membrane
purpura
skin; purple spots or blotches (don’t turn white when pressed)
induration
skin; a hardened area of normally soft tissue
fluctuance
skin; movable and compressible
hemangioma
skin; a benign tumor consisting of blood vessels
cornea
eyes; the transparent coat of the eyeball that covers the iris and pupil; lets light into the eye
sclera
eyes; dense fibrous opaque outer coat enclosing the eyeball, except the part covered by cornea
conjunctiva
eyes; white area of the eyes
icterus
eyes; yellowing of sclera due to bilirubin build-up (often seen with jaundice)
subconjunctival hemorrhage
eyes; bright red patches in the conjunctiva of eyes due to ruptured blood vessels
extraocular movements intacts (EOMI)
eyes; appropriate function of the extraocular muscles, tested with “follow my finger”
pupils equal, round, and reactive to light (PERRL)
eyes: normal evaluation of the size, shape of the pupils and their reaction to light
papilledema
eyes; swelling of the optic disk due to an increase in intracranial pressure
fundi sharp
eyes; non-swollen optic nerve on exam of fundus (back of eye) with opthalmoscope
visual acuity
eyes; acuteness/sharpness of vision as measured by the eye chart
eyelid eversion
eyes; flipping of the eyelid for exam underneath eyelid
normal palpebral conjunctiva
eye membrane is clear
exophthalmos
eyes; eyes bulging out of socket
nystagmus
eye; involuntary rapid eye movements-often reported as horizontal, vertical, or rotary
erythema of the external canal
ears; redness of the outer ear canal
cerumen impaction
ears; excessive earwax
tympanic membrane (TM)
ears; eardrum
erythematous TM
ears; red color of the TM
bulging TM
ears; protruding/outward curvature of the TM
retracted TM
ears; inward curve of the TM
poor light reflect
ears; cone of light does not reflect on TM
unable to visualize landmarks
provider cannot see landmarks behind TM
hemotypanum
ears; blood on the TM
mastoid tenderness
ears; tenderness over mastoid bone (located posterior to ear)
clear rhinorrhea
nose; clear nasal drainage
septal deviation
nose; displacement of nasal septum
septal hematoma
nose; bruising or bleeding in the nasal septum
dry mucous membranes
mouth; dry mouth
tongue laceration
mouth; cut on the tongue
no signs of oral trauma
mouth; no cuts/chipped teeth, etc
dental caries
mouth; cavity
poor dentition
mouth; bad teeth
pericoronitis
mouth; infection of the gums
parotid mass
mouth; enlargement of the parotid gland
trismus
mouth; inability to open mouth normally due to spasm of the jaw muscles
normal jaw approximation
mouth; normal jaw alignment