Upper limb exams: general questions Flashcards
What are the steps of an upper limb exam?
Introduction
General inspection
Look
Feel
Move
Special tests
Concluding the exam
Before touching a patient, you must (2 things):
Must you look at both sides always?
Gain consent.
Explain that if they’re in pain, you’ll stop right away
Yes
How do you begin the exam?
- 9 normal steps
- Ask: are you in any pain?
- If you are in any pain during the exam, let me know and I’ll stop right away.
- Position the patient correctly
- Obtain exposure
How do you explain the purpose of the exam?
I’m going to be doing a _______ exam. This will involve me looking at your _______, feeling around the ______ joint, and assessing the movement of the _______.
Before touching a patient, you must (2 things):
Must you look at both sides always?
Gain consent.
Explain that if they’re in pain, you’ll stop right away
Yes
General inspection:
- What is the acronym?
- What do you inspect for?
AABCDD
Abnormal position
Aids/splints
Body build
Comfort
Distress/pain
Debility
LOOK
- What is the acronym?
- What do you look for?
PS CDSSM
Posture
Symmetry
Contour
Deformity
Skin - rashes, scars, redness/erythema, bruising
Swelling
Muscle bulk/wasting
Feel:
What must you do before feeling?
Get consent
Reassure that if they’re in pain, you’ll stop right away.
Feel
- What is the acronym?
- What do you feel for?
TTSM
Temperature
Tenderness
Swelling
Muscle bulk/wasting
Move
- What prompt for active movement?
- What must you do before passive movement?
Can you follow my movements?
Obtain consent, reassure about pain
Special tests
- What must you do before starting the special tests?
Obtain consent
Concluding the exam
- What 2 additional exams should you consider?
- What 3 things do you do (as with histories)?
Test joint above and below
Consider neurological exam
Any questions?
Pass along to supervisor
Thanks for time
