CLINICAL EXAMINATIONS

 

Organ systems

• Cardiovascular system
  • Blood pressure, pulse rate and rhythm.
  • Jugular venous pressure (JVP), peripheral oedema and evidence for pulmonary oedema.
  • Precordial exam (cardiac exam)
  • Heart sounds
  • Peripheral vascular examination
• Lungs
  • Respiratory rate, chest expansion, lung auscultation
  • Respiratory examination
• Breasts
• Abdomen
  • Abdominal examination notes in particular any tenderness, bloating, organ enlargement, or aortic aneurysm.
  • No abdominal examination is complete without a Anus and rectum
• Genitalia
• Musculoskeletal system
• Nervous system, including mental status
• Head and neck (HEENT a menonic for head, eyes, ears, nose and throat.)
• Skin
  • Check of the hair to see if the hair growth is receding or there is loss of hair, alopecia.
  • Check of the skin will tell if there are marks such as hemangioma or strawberry marks or changes to the skin. Dark spots on the skin, nevi are also places where cancerous changes can appear because the face, head and neck are most usually sun exposed.

Special examinations

• Eye examination as performed by optometrists or ophthalmologists

Lecture Notes on Physical Examination:

Cardiovascular System

Respiratory System

Haematology & Immunology

Gastrointestinal System

Endocrinology

Nervous System

 

 

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