Hand Examination in Medicine

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of clinical examination after taking the patient's history?

To greet the patient and introduce yourself

To follow the standard textbook routine for clinical examination

To confirm or refute the suspected diagnosis and identify underlying causes and complications (correct)

To assess the patient's hygiene and wash your hands

What is an essential aspect of preparing for a clinical examination?

Reviewing the patient's medical history

Washing your hands and maintaining hygiene (correct)

Checking the room temperature and lighting

All of the above

When does the examination of a patient begin?

When you start asking questions about their medical history

When the patient lies down on the examination couch

When you introduce yourself to the patient

From the moment the patient walks into the room (correct)

Why is repetition important in clinical examination?

To practice clinical examination on as many cases as possible Signup and view all the answers

What should you try to achieve during the clinical examination?

Confirm or refute the suspected diagnosis and identify underlying causes and complications Signup and view all the answers

During the inspection of the hands, what is the healthcare professional looking for?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is a vital part of the clinical examination process?

Conducting a thorough physical examination Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the spoon-shaped deformity of the nails?

Koilonychia Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the classification system used to categorize lymph nodes in the neck?

The Sloan Catering Memorial Hospital Classification Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the capillary refill test during the examination of the legs?

To assess the circulation of the legs Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the white transverse lines that appear on the nails in association with severe systemic disease?

Bean's lines Signup and view all the answers

During the examination of the hands, what is the healthcare professional assessing when they check for sweating or dryness?

Skin moisture Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the sign that indicates enlargement of the Virchow's node?

Troisier's sign Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the clubbing of the nails that is associated with congenital cyanotic heart disease?

Clubbing Signup and view all the answers

During the examination of the head and neck, what is examined in the ears?

The shape, size, and discharge Signup and view all the answers

What is examined in the mouth during the head and neck examination?

The lips, tongue, and oral mucosa Signup and view all the answers

Why is a quick examination of the hands done?

To detect any abnormalities and then do a more detailed examination Signup and view all the answers

What is examined in the neck during the head and neck examination?

The swelling, thyroid, nodes, and engorged neck veins Signup and view all the answers

What is examined in the eyes during the head and neck examination?

The shape, pallor, jaundice, xanthelasmas, and arcus senilis Signup and view all the answers

What is examined in the face during the head and neck examination?

The deformity, color, ulcers, and sinuses Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Clinical Examination

Importance of preparation for examination: privacy, attendant, room temperature, light, bed or examination couch, position for examination, tools for examination, hygiene of hands, and hand wash (infection control)
General principles of examination:
- Use standard textbooks routine for clinical examination
- Practice clinical examination on many cases
- Form an idea about differential diagnosis or possible diagnosis after history taking
- Confirm or rule out suspected diagnosis
- Find causes and complications of diagnosis

Examination of Hands

Inspection:
- Shape, size, color, and deformities of hands
- Number of fingers, shape, deformities, and swellings
- Color of hand (pallor, cyanosis, palmar erythema, staining)
- Muscle wasting
- Sinuses, scars, and ulcers
Palpation:
- Temperature
- Tenderness
- Sweating or dryness
- Thickening or nodules
Examination of nails:
- Color
- Shape (koilonychia, leukonychia)
- Clubbing (cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, liver, and inflammatory bowel causes)
- Bean's lines (transverse white lines associated with severe systemic disease)
Examination of circulation
Examination of nerves:
- Tremor
- Muscle movements
- Sensations

Examination of Legs

Inspection:
- Swelling (unilateral or bilateral, localized or generalized)
- Color of limbs
- Deformities
- Scars and sinuses
- Nails
- Ulcers
- Varicosities
Palpation:
- Temperature
- Oedema
- Circulation (capillary refill test, pedal pulses)
Examination of lymph nodes:
- Cervical nodes (circular group, vertical group, supraclavicular, Virchow's node)
- Axillary nodes
- Inguinal nodes

Examination of Head and Neck

Ears:
- Shape, size, extra ears, discharge, and sinuses
Eyes:
- Shape
- Pallor
- Jaundice
- Xanthelasmas and arcus senilis
- Eye movements
Nose:
- Shape
- Discharge
Mouth:
- Lips (cyanosis, ulcers, angular stomatitis, pigmentation)
- Tongue (cyanosis, pallor, dryness, size, ulcers, movements, deviation, swelling)
- Teeth (loss of teeth, artificial teeth, dentures, septic foci, dental hygiene)
- Oral mucosa (swellings, orifices of parotid and submandibular glands, dryness)
- Soft and hard palate (cleft palate and perforation, swelling)
- Tonsils and oropharynx
Face:
- Deformity
- Color (pallor, malar flush, plethora, pigmentation)
- Ulcers or sinuses
- Swelling
Neck:
- Swelling
- Thyroid
- Nodes
- Engorged neck veins
- Pulsations
- Ulcers, sinuses, and fistulae

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Description

This quiz covers the different aspects of hand examination in medicine, including inspection of the hands, palpation, examination of nails, circulation, and nerves. It also includes identification of various signs and symptoms such as muscle wasting, sinuses, scars, ulcers, and more.