Physical Examination Techniques

Overview

• A physical examination is a systematic evaluation of a patient's physical health through observation, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.
• It is an essential part of the diagnostic process and helps in identifying signs of illness or disease.

Preparation

• Create a comfortable and private environment for the patient.
• Ensure the patient is appropriately dressed for the examination.
• Wash hands before starting the examination.
• Use necessary equipment such as a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, and reflex hammer.

General Survey

• Observe the patient's overall appearance, including:
  • Level of consciousness and alertness
  • Posture and gait
  • Nutritional status
  • Hygiene and grooming
• Take vital signs:
  • Temperature
  • Pulse
  • Blood pressure
  • Respiratory rate
  • Oxygen saturation (if necessary)

Head and Neck Examination

• Inspect the head and neck, including:
  • Shape and size of the head
  • Eyes (pupils, iris, and extraocular movements)
  • Ears (hearing and tympanic membrane)
  • Nose and mouth (nasal septum, tonsils, and teeth)
• Palpate the head and neck, including:
  • Lymph nodes
  • Thyroid gland
  • Carotid arteries

Chest Examination

• Inspect the chest, including:
  • Shape and size of the chest
  • Breathing pattern and respiratory effort
• Palpate the chest, including:
  • Lungs (tactile fremitus and vocal fremitus)
  • Heart (apex beat and heaves)
• Percuss the chest, including:
  • Lung fields (resonance and dullness)
• Auscultate the chest, including:
  • Heart sounds (S1, S2, and murmurs)
  • Lung sounds (breath sounds and adventitious sounds)

Abdominal Examination

• Inspect the abdomen, including:
  • Shape and size of the abdomen
  • Umbilicus and hernias
• Palpate the abdomen, including:
  • Organomegaly (liver, spleen, and kidneys)
  • Tenderness and guarding
• Percuss the abdomen, including:
  • Liver and spleen size
  • Bladder size
• Auscultate the abdomen, including:
  • Bowel sounds

Extremities and Neurological Examination

• Inspect the extremities, including:
  • Joints and muscles
  • Skin and nails
• Palpate the extremities, including:
  • Pulses and reflexes
• Perform a neurological examination, including:
  • Cranial nerves
  • Motor and sensory functions
  • Reflexes and coordination

Conclusion

• Document all findings and observations in the patient's medical record.
• Use the physical examination findings to develop a differential diagnosis and plan further investigations or treatments.

Physical Examination Overview

• Systematic evaluation of a patient's physical health through observation, palpation, percussion, and auscultation
• Essential part of the diagnostic process to identify signs of illness or disease

Preparation for Physical Examination

• Create a comfortable and private environment for the patient
• Ensure the patient is appropriately dressed for the examination
• Wash hands before starting the examination
• Use necessary equipment such as stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, and reflex hammer

General Survey

• Observe patient's overall appearance:
  • Level of consciousness and alertness
  • Posture and gait
  • Nutritional status
  • Hygiene and grooming
• Take vital signs:
  • Temperature
  • Pulse
  • Blood pressure
  • Respiratory rate
  • Oxygen saturation (if necessary)

Head and Neck Examination

• Inspect head and neck:
  • Shape and size of the head
  • Eyes (pupils, iris, and extraocular movements)
  • Ears (hearing and tympanic membrane)
  • Nose and mouth (nasal septum, tonsils, and teeth)
• Palpate head and neck:
  • Lymph nodes
  • Thyroid gland
  • Carotid arteries

Chest Examination

• Inspect chest:
  • Shape and size of the chest
  • Breathing pattern and respiratory effort
• Palpate chest:
  • Lungs (tactile fremitus and vocal fremitus)
  • Heart (apex beat and heaves)
• Percuss chest:
  • Lung fields (resonance and dullness)
• Auscultate chest:
  • Heart sounds (S1, S2, and murmurs)
  • Lung sounds (breath sounds and adventitious sounds)

Abdominal Examination

• Inspect abdomen:
  • Shape and size of the abdomen
  • Umbilicus and hernias
• Palpate abdomen:
  • Organomegaly (liver, spleen, and kidneys)
  • Tenderness and guarding
• Percuss abdomen:
  • Liver and spleen size
  • Bladder size
• Auscultate abdomen:
  • Bowel sounds

Extremities and Neurological Examination

• Inspect extremities:
  • Joints and muscles
  • Skin and nails
• Palpate extremities:
  • Pulses and reflexes
• Perform neurological examination:
  • Cranial nerves
  • Motor and sensory functions
  • Reflexes and coordination

Conclusion

• Document all findings and observations in the patient's medical record
• Use physical examination findings to develop a differential diagnosis and plan further investigations or treatments

This quiz covers the process of physical examination, including preparation, observation, palpation, percussion, and auscultation, and its importance in diagnostic process.