Physical Examination Review

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing physical examination techniques and positions.

Physical Health Examination

Conducted from head to toes (cephalo-caudal technique).

Physical Examination

Determines the client's state of awareness.

Important Consideration During Physical Examination

Involves preparing the client physically and psychologically.

Client Privacy

Protects the client's privacy during the entire procedure.

Preparation Before Procedure

Prepares the needed articles and equipment before the start of the procedure.

Inspection

Assessing the patient using the sense of sight.

Palpation

Examining the body using the sense of touch by using the fat pads of the fingers.

Light (superficial) Palpation

Should always precede deep palpation.

Percussion

Tapping the body parts to produce sound.

Auscultation

Listening to the body sounds with the use of stethoscope.

Dorsal Recumbent Position

Back lying position with knees flexed and hips externally rotated.

Dorsal (Supine) Position

Back lying position with legs extended.

Sitting Position

Seated position; back unsupported and leg hanging freely.

Flatness

Soft, extremely dull sound; example location is muscle and bone.

Dullness

Thud-like sound; example location is liver and heart.

Resonance

Loud, hollow sound; example location is normal lung.

Hyperresonance

Very loud, booming sound; example location is emphysematous lung.

Tympany

Loud, musical sound; example location is stomach filled with gas (air).

Vesicular Breath Sounds

Soft-intensity, low-pitched, 'gentle sighing' sounds.

Broncho-vesicular Breath Sounds

Moderate-intensity and moderate-pitched 'blowing' sounds.

Bronchial (tubular) Breath Sounds

High pitched loud, “harsh” sounds.

Lithotomy Position

Back lying position with feet supported in stirrups.

Sim's Position

Side lying with lowermost arm behind the body and uppermost leg flexed.

Prone Position

Face-lying position, with or without a small pillow.

Sequence of Methods for Physical Examination (IPPA)

Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation.

Sequence for Examination of the Abdomen (IAPePa)

Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation.

Abdominal Examinations

Palpate the painful quadrant last.

Abdominal Palpation Contraindications

No abdominal palpation among clients with tumor of the liver or kidneys.

During Abdominal Examination

Flex the knees to relax the abdominal muscles.

Sequence of Examining the Abdomen

Right lower quadrant -> right upper quadrant -> left upper quadrant -> left lower quadrant.

Best Position for Examining the Chest

Sitting/upright.

Best Position for Examining the Back

Standing position.

Palpating Neck for Lymphadenopathy or Thyroid Gland Enlargement

The nurse stands behind the client.

Ophthalmoscopy

Darken the room for better illumination.

Female Client Examined by a Male

A female nurse must be in attendance.

Inspection (Definition)

Using the sense of sight to assess a patient.

Palpation (Definition)

Using touch to examine the body, especially with the fat pads of the fingers.

Percussion (Definition)

Tapping body parts to create sounds for assessment.

Auscultation (Definition)

Listening to body sounds with a stethoscope.

Vesicular Sounds (Definition)

Soft-intensity, low-pitched sounds from air in the terminal bronchioles and alveoli.

Broncho-vesicular Sounds (Definition)

Moderate sounds from air moving through larger bronchi.

Bronchial (Tubular) Sounds (Definition)

Loud, high-pitched sounds from air moving through the trachea.

Flatness (Sound)

Soft, extremely dull sound as heard over muscle or bone.

Dullness (Sound)

A thud-like sound heard over the liver or heart.

Resonance (Sound)

A loud, hollow sound heard over normal lung tissue.

Hyperresonance (Sound)

A very loud, booming sound heard over an emphysematous lung.

Tympany (Sound)

A loud, musical sound heard over a gas-filled stomach.

Head to Toes Examination Approach

Cephalo-caudal technique.

Reason for Female Nurse Attendance

To ensure the procedure is ethical.

Purpose of Preparing Articles and Equipment

To conserve time and prevent fatigue.