Physical Examination

?
  • Created by: emelem
  • Created on: 21-01-17 17:04
View mindmap
  • Physical Examination
    • Percussion
      • Diagnostic technique is when the GP will put one or two fingers against patients body and tap the fingers with the other hand/listening to the sound
      • Hollow sound means lung clear of fluid Dull or muffled sound means fluid present
      • Lungs and Stomach
    • Use of a stethoscope
      •  channels sounds via a metal dish along two tubes to ears. No amplification  is needed plus it eliminates background noise. 
      • Heart Arteries Digestive system Lungs
      • breathing loud/noisy/abnormal If airways obstructed or if excess fluid in lungs 
    • Palpation
      • Feeling a patients body with fingers to detect abnormalities in organs
      • Swelling Tumours Heat
      • It can also be used to see if a patient feels pain if the organ is subjected to slight pressure. 
    • Reflex Testing
      • carried out on a relaxed leg where weight of leg is supported by thigh. Point below knee (patella) is tapped with rubber hammer.
      • , sends nerve impulse to spinal cord Triggers another nerve impulse from spinal cord which triggers thigh muscle to contract Result is the leg jerks up!
      • If no reaction, could indicate damage to knee or spinal cord
    • Measuring Tempreratute
      • Normal 37 degrees. 39 degrees indicates fever which is linked to the flu and meningitis
      • Electronic, Infra red , clinical mercury thermometer
      • placed under arm,mouth rectum or in ear
    • Measuring Blood pressure
      • Blood pressure is when blood is pumped around the body, as the blood moves it pushes against the sides of the blood vessls
      • Hypertension = high
        • risk of stroke, heart attack and kidney disease
      • Hypotention = low
        • sign of diabetes
      • Sphygmomanometer
        • Hollow cufff placed just above elbow
          • Pump inflates cuff to stop pulse, restricting arterial blood flow to the hand
            • A tube attached to the cuff leads to a pressure gauge
              • Stethoscope on the arm below cufff
                • Air is let out and GP listens. Pulse is heard when blood pressure is about to force through compressed artery
                  • Systolic reading in taken (pressure of the blood when your heart pushes it out)
                    • GP lets more out until sound of the pulse disappears. A diastolic reading is taken (the pressure of blood when your heart rests in between beats)
                      • Systolic: Normal ranges from 80-130 (mmHg)
                      • Diastolic Normal ranges from 50-85  (mmHg)
    • Visual Examination
      •  used to visually assess parts of the body by looking for abnormal color, shape, size, texture etc. 
      • Some patients may need to undress to aid examination and may find this embarrassing. 

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Health & Social Care resources:

See all Health & Social Care resources »See all Diagnosis, treatment and prevention strategies resources »