Physical Exams Vocab

differential diagnosis

a list of possible diseases/conditions a person or animal may have

palpation

a technique of using hands to examine the body for signs of disease or abnormalities

auscultation

the act of listening to internal sounds of the body, typically using a stethoscope, to assess the condition of organs

tachycardia

increased pulse rate

eupnea

normal breathing

dyspnea

difficulty breathing (shallow rapid breaths with increased chest effort)

tachypnea

rapid breathing

auscultation

listening to sounds from the heart, lungs, or other organs

cyanotic

marked by or causing a bluish or purplish discoloration