Ch 35: The Physical Exam

Auscultation

the process of listening for sounds within the body

What are the sounds heard through auscultation?

bruits, murmurs, rales, rhythms, bowel sounds

Bimanual

Two-handed; with both hands

Bruits

adventitious sound of venous or arterial origin heard on auscultation; usually refers to the sound produced by the mixing of arterial and venous blood at dialysis shunts

Digital rectal examination (DRE)

examination performed by the provider to check for abnormalities of organs or other structures in the pelvis and lower abdomen

Gait

manner of walking

Guaiac test paper

a screening agent to test for hidden blood

Heart murmurs

a sound produced by the leakage of blood through a heart valve

Inspection

1st of part of physical examination, close observation

Manipulation

the passive movement of a joint to determine the range of flexion and extension

Occult

obscure/hidden

Otoscope

lighted instrument with a set of lenses used for visual examination of the eardrum and the passage of the outer ear

Palpation

The technique of examination using the fingers or hands

Percussion

tapping body lightly but sharply to determine the position, size, consistency of an underlying structure

What are the terms used when referring to percussion

pitch, quality, duration, resonance

Pitch (percussion)

frequency of vibrations of sound that enable one to classify sound on a scale from high to low

Resonance (percussion)

quality of sound heard on percussion of chest; the intensification & prolongation of a sound by reflection or by vibration of nearby object

Turgor

normal tension, w/ skin it means resistance to being deformed & the length of time to return to normal

Visceral

pertaining to visera; internal organs

What are the 6 examination techniques?

Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Mensuration, Manipulation

When would a female pt perform a monthly breast exam on herself?

7-10 days following start of menstrual period

When should men begin to do a routine testicular self-exam?

age 15 or past puberty

What abd region is the descending colon located?

Left Lumbar (LL)

What abd region is the stomach & spleen located?

Left Hypochondriac (LH)

What abd region is the cecum & appendix located?

Right Inguinal (RI)

What abd region is the transverse colon located?

Umbilical

What abd region is the bladder located?

Hypogastric

What abd region is the pancreas located?

Epigastric

What abd region is the ascending colon located?

Right Lumbar (RL)

What abd region is the gallbladder & liver located?

Right Hypochondriac (RH)

What abd region is the left ovary located?

Left Inguinal (LI)

What abbreviation is used for the term "RULE-OUT"

R/O

what does a provider make based on pt health history, symptoms, exam findings, procedures, lab tests?

Plan (P)

What does HEENT stand for?

head, eyes, ears, nose, throat

What are the things completed by the MA before the providers exam?

measurement, VS, vision screening

What test is performed to detect any muscle abnormality?

Romberg balance test