Types, techniques, equipment, and positions Physical Exams Types, techniques, equipment, and positions

Types of Physical exams

types of physical exams 3 major kinds of examinations are: EENT GYN General, or complete, physical

Main types of physical exams EENT: Eye, ear, nose & throat exam GYN (gynecological): exam of female reproductive organs=vagina, cervix, uterus, ovaries, & breasts. A Pap (Papanicolaou) test is usually done to detect cancer of the cervix or reproductive organs

Main types of physical exams General, or complete, physical: all areas of the body are examined; blood, urine, radiographs, & electrocardiogram may be done. An EENT and/or GYN exam may be done during this exam.

Physical exam techniques

physical exams techniques 4 main techniques used during exams: Observation Palpation Percussion Auscultation

physical exams techniques Observation: inspection Physician looks at the pt to observe things Example: skin color, rash, swelling, deformities, etc.

physical exams techniques Palpation: feeling Physician uses their hands to feel various parts of the body. They are feeling for enlargement, anything out of place, or painful areas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSPqXd9PILo (2:15)

physical exams techniques Percussion: tapping Physician taps & listens for sounds. They place fingers of one hand on a part of the body, then use the fingers of the other hand to tap the body part. The sound emitted tells them the size, density, & position of underlying organs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4Ryk5IKf_4 (1:10)

physical exams techniques Auscultation: listening Physician uses a stethoscope to listen to sounds coming from within the body. Can listen to heart, lungs, and intestines

Physical Exam equipment

Physical Exam Equipment Some of the instruments and equipment used for different exams can include: Cervical spatula (Ayer blade) Laryngeal mirror Ophthalmoscope Otoscope Percussion (reflex hammer) Sigmoidoscope Speculum Sphygmomanometer Stethoscope Tongue blade/depressor Tuning fork

Physical Exam Equipment Cervical spatula (Ayer blade): wooden or plastic blade used to scrape cells from the cervix usually done as part of a Pap smear to check for cancer.

Physical Exam Equipment Laryngeal mirror: instrument with a mirror at one end to examine the larynx

Physical Exam Equipment Ophthalmoscope: lighted instrument used to examine the eyes

Physical Exam Equipment Otoscope: lighted instrument used to examine the ears

Physical Exam Equipment Percussion (reflex) hammer: used to test tendon reflexes

Physical Exam Equipment Sigmoidoscope: lighted instrument used to examine the sigmoid colon

Physical Exam Equipment Speculum: instrument used to examine internal canals of the body (nasal speculum, vaginal speculum, rectal speculum)

Physical Exam Equipment Sphygmomanometer: instrument used to measure BP

Physical Exam Equipment Stethoscope: instrument used for listening to internal body sounds

Physical Exam Equipment Tongue blade/depressor: wood or plastic stick used to depress (hold down) the tongue so the throat can be examined

Physical Exam Equipment Tuning fork: instrument with two prongs used to test hearing acuity

Positions for physical exams

Physical exam Positions Supine: used for examination of the anterior side Pt lies flat on back with legs slightly apart

Physical exam Positions Prone: used for examination of the back or spine Pt lies on abd & turns head to either side

Physical exam Positions Lateral: used for simple rectal & sigmoidoscopic exams, enemas, rectal temps Pt lies on left side

Physical exam Positions Fowler’s positions: used to facilitate breathing, relieve distress, encourage drainage, & examine the head, neck, & chest Low Fowler’s: HOB elevated to 25 degrees Semi-Fowler’s: HOB elevated to 45 degrees High Fowler’s: HOB elevate to 90 degrees

Physical exam Positions Low Fowler’s

Physical exam Positions Semi-Fowler’s

Physical exam Positions High Fowler’s

Physical exam Positions Lithotomy: used for vaginal exams, Pap tests, urinary catherizations, cystoscopic exams, & surgery of the pelvic area Pt lies supine with knees separated & flexed & feet in stirrups

Physical exam Positions Trendelenburg: used to increase circulation of blood to the head and brain, during shock, or for surgery on pelvic organs Pt lies supine with the bed elevated at the feet (head is lower than the feet)