Vaginal Speculum Examination

Question 1

What must be done before commencing a bimanual pelvic examination?

Answer 1

Inform the patient that a chaperone will be present during the examination and ask the patient if they are ok with this

Document all of this

Question 2

How should the patient be exposed for a bimanual pelvic examination?

Answer 2

Give the patient a modesty sheet

Ask them to remove their underclothes in private and to let me know when they are ready

Question 3

How should the patient be positioned for a bimanual pelvic examination?

Answer 3

Lying on their back

Knees bent

Legs apart

Question 4

What should be done after the patient is in the correct position and has exposed the correct area?

Answer 4

Put on sterile gloves

Question 5

What should be done once sterile gloves have been put on?

Answer 5

Ask patient to remove modesty sheet

Question 6

What is the 1st step in a bimanual pelvic examination once the patient has removed the modesty sheet?

Answer 6

Inspect the pelvic area

Question 7

What should be noted on inspection during a bimanual pelvic examination?

Answer 7

Hair distribution

Skin abnormalities

Discharge

Swelling

Prolapse

Question 8

What should be performed after inspection is completed?

Answer 8

Speculum insertion

Question 9

Before inserting the speculum, what should be done?

Answer 9

Add some lubricant to the blades of the speculum

Seperate labia with non-dominant hand

Question 10

How is the speculum examination performed?

Answer 10

Gently insert speculum fully

Open speculum blades by 5mm and guide the speculum to view the cervix

Open the speculum further to view the entire cervix

Question 11

Once the speculum is opened fully and the cervix is in view, what should be noted about the cervix?

Answer 11

Appearance

Colour

Amount and colour of any secretions