Common Physical Exam Findings

Gravid abd/uterus

pregnant abd/uterus

Rales

crackles (type of breath sound)

TTP

tender to palpation

CTA

clear to auscultation

RUE/LUE

right upper extremity/left upper extremity

RLE/LLE

right lower extremities/left lower extremities

BUE/BLE

bilateral upper extremities/bilateral lower extremities

RUQ/LUQ

right upper quadrant/left upper quadrant

RLQ/LLQ

right lower quadrant/left lower quadrant

AKA/BKA

above knee amputation/below knee amputation

MAE

moves all extremities

EOMI

extraocular movements intact

Scleral icterus

yellow sclera

Nystagmus

involuntary eye movement

TM

tympanic membrane

GCS

glasgow coma score

PERRL

pupils equal, round, reactive to light

CMT

cervical motion tenderness

CVAT

costovertebral angle tenderness

FROM

full range of motion

ROM

range of motion

Paraesthesia

numbness/tingling

Aphasia

loss of ability to understand or express speech

Dysarthria

slurred speech

Dysphagia

difficulty swallowing

Somnolent

sleepy

Post-ictal

state of altered consciousness s/p seizure

AMS

altered mental state

PEA

pulseless electrical activity

tachycardia/bradycardia

fast HR (>100), slow HR (<60)

Irregularly irregular rhythm

heart sounds when in atrial fibrillation

Tachypnea

fast breathing

Ecchymosis

bruising

Pallor

pale

Purulent

pus-like

Induration

hardening of skin due to swelling/inflammation

Laceration

cut

Abrasion

scrape

Edema

swelling

NCAT

normocephalic, atraumatic (normally shaped head, no evidence of trauma)

Cerumen

ear wax

Febrile

fever

Afrebile

without fever

Pharyngeal erythema

redness of throat

Rhinorrhea

runny nose