Physical Exam Assessment Elements

To perform a proper strip and flip, cut _____, _____, then _____.

Down the shoulders; down the chest; down the pants

In addition to DCAP-BLS-TIC, you should assess the head (which includes the _____, _____, _____, _____, _____, and _____) for _____, _____, _____, _____, _____, _____, _____, _____, _____, and _____.

Skull; face; eyes; ears; nose; mouth; asymmetry; blood/CSF drainage; abnormal pupils; raccoon eyes; battle signs; soot and singed nasal or facial hairs; coffee ground emesis; perioral cyanosis; loose or broken teeth; odors (alcohol or chemicals)

In addition to DCAP-BLS-TIC, you should assess the neck/cervical spine for _____, _____, _____, _____, _____, _____, _____, and _____ in all patients, as well as _____ and _____ in trauma patients. If indicated, _____ and _____.

Carotid pulse; track marks and tattoos; jugular vein distention (JVD); tracheal deviation; accessory muscle use (AMU); subcutaneous emphysema (SE); stoma; medical alert tags; helmets; car seats; maintain SMR; apply a 4-sided occlusive dressing to puncture wounds

In addition to DCAP-BLS-TIC, you should assess the chest (which includes the _____, _____, and _____) for _____ (identifying _____), _____ (which may _____ in the absence of _____), _____, _____, _____, _____, and _____ (which indicate that you cannot transport the patient). If indicated, _____.

Clavicles; sternum; ribs; lung sounds in all fields; abnormal lung sounds; paradoxical movement; spontaneous pneumothorax; trauma; accessory muscle use; sucking chest wounds; subcutaneous emphysema (SE); pacemakers; chest tubes; apply a 3-sided occlusive dressing to sucking chest wounds

In addition to DCAP-BLS-TIC, you should assess the abdomen for DR-GERM: _____, _____, _____, _____ (which can be a sign of _____), _____, and _____ (which may indicate an _____), as well as _____ (which include _____, _____, _____, and _____) and _____.

Distention; rigidity; guarding (tightening of muscles); ecchymosis/bruising; internal bleeding; rebound tenderness; mass that is pulsating; abdominal aortic aneurysm; signs of pregnancy and complications; contractions; vaginal bleeding; back pain; subcutaneous emphysema

In addition to DCAP-BLS-TIC, you should assess the pelvis for _____, _____, _____, _____, and _____.

Femoral pulses; incontinence; priapism; vaginal bleeding; signs of pregnancy and/or complications

In addition to DCAP-BLS-TIC, you should assess the upper extremities for _____, _____ (using _____ and comparing _____), _____ (ask the patient to _____, and _____ (ask the patient _____)`.

Track marks; circulation; brachial and radial pulses; bilaterally; movement; wiggle their fingers; sensation; which finger you are pinching

In addition to DCAP-BLS-TIC, you should assess the lower extremities for _____, _____, _____, _____ (using _____ and comparing _____), _____ (ask the patient to _____), and _____ (ask the patient _____).

Track marks; redness; pedal edema; circulation; pedal or posterior tibial pulse; bilaterally; movement; wiggle their toes; sensation; which toe you are pinching

In addition to DCAP-BLS-TIC, you should assess the back (which includes the _____, _____, and _____) for _____ (identifying _____), _____, _____, _____, and _____.

Posterior thorax (neck); lumbar; butt; posterior lung sounds; abnormal lung sounds; tattoos; subcutaneous emphysema; sacral edema; decubitus ulcers