Professional Documents
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LEARNING CONTENT
Audioscope – tool used to screen patients for hearing loss. The audioscope is placed in the
patient’s ear and makes a serious of tones which the patient can respond to.
Examination Light – the medical assistant must make sure that all lights in the physical
examination room are functioning properly and directed appropriately for the physician to exam
the patient’s body.
Laryngeal Mirror – tool used to exam the larynx and other areas of the throat. The laryngeal
mirror reflects the inside of the mouth and throat for the physical examination. It may be used to
visualize the throat for the application of anesthesia or to remove tissue from the mouth.
Nasal Speculum – tool inserted into the nostril to assist the physician with the visual inspection
of the lining of the nose, nasal membranes and septum.
Otoscope – allows the physician to view the ear canal and tympanic membrane. The otoscope
has a magnifying lens, light and cone-shaped insert to examine the inner ear.
Ophthalmoscope – tool used to examine the interior structures of the eye. The ophthalmoscope
has a light, magnifying lens and opening for the physician to view the eye.
Penlight – provides additional light for the physician to examine a specific area of the patient’s
body. The penlight is typically used to examine the eyes, nose and throat.
Percussion Hammer – tool used to test neurologic reflexes. The head of the instrument is used
to test reflexes by striking the tendons of the ankle, knee, wrist and elbow.
Stethoscope – tool used for listening to body sounds including the sounds of the heart, lungs and
intestines. It is also used while taking blood pressure.
Thermometer – tool used to measure a patient’s body temperature. The thermometer can be
inserted in the mouth under the tongue, under the armpit or into the rectum.
Tuning Fork – tool used to test a patient’s hearing. The physician strikes the prongs causing
them to vibrate and produce a humming sound. Then the prongs are placed next to the patient’s
skull, near the ear, with the patient describing what they heard. The physician may order
additional tests depending on the results of this hearing test.
Cotton Balls – used to stop bleeding from minor punctures after injections or while drawing a
patient’s blood.
Cotton-Tipped Applicators – used to collect or treat a wound and to apply topical medication
to the patient during a physical examination.
Disposable Needles – used to inject medicine, anesthetic or other fluids during a physical
examination. Also used to extract blood from the patient for laboratory testing.
Disposable Syringes – added to a needle to extract blood or inject fluids during a physical
examination.
Gauze, Dressings and Bandages – used to cover up open wounds. Non-sterile pads can be used
to cushion, clean or absorb areas that are at less risk of infection.
Gloves – worn by the medical assistant and physician to keep bodily fluids from being absorbed
into the skin.
Paper Tissue – helps keep exam chairs, tables and other areas hygienic. The paper tissue is
replaced between each examination by the medical assistant.
Specimen Containers – used to hold blood, urine and other bodily fluids during an examination
for later laboratory testing.
Tongue Depressors – used to depress the tongue of a patient to examine the mouth and throat
during a physical examination.
Safety considerations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaqr2c-
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MOUTH AND OROPHARYNX
Inspect the outer lips for symmetry of
contour, color and texture.
Inspect and palpate the inner lips and buccal
mucosa.
Inspect the teeth and gums
Inspect the dentures Deviations from center may indicate
Inspect the surface of the tongue for damage to hypoglossal nerve.
position, color and texture. Dry, furry tongue (associated with
Inspect tongue movement fluid deficit) white coating may be
oral yeast.
Inspect the base of the tongue, the mouth of
the floor and the frenulum
Inspect the hard and soft palate for color,
shape, texture and the presence of bony
prominences.
NECK
Inspect the neck muscles To check for abnormal swellings
Observe head movement
Assess muscle strength
Palpate the neck for enlarged lymph nodes Deviation to one side may indicate
Palpate trachea for lateral deviation possible neck tumor.
Inspect the thyroid gland
CHEST (Anterior and Posterior)
Inspect: Chest expansion may
Expansion/retraction of chest wall/work of be asymmetrical with conditions such
breathing and/or accessory muscle use Jugular as atelectasis, pneumonia, fractured
distension ribs, or pneumothorax.
Auscultate:
For breath sounds anteriorly and Use of accessory muscles may
Posteriorly indicate acute airway obstruction or
Apices and bases for any adventitious sounds massive atelectasis.
Apical heart rate
Palpate: Jugular distension of more than 3 cm
For symmetrical lung expansion above the sternal angle while the
patient is at 45º may indicate cardiac
failure.
Please watch the video on assessment of chest at
The presence of crackles or wheezing
https://www.youtube.com/watch? must be further assessed,
v=kv3B81mWc1E documented, and reported.
Unusual findings should be followed
up with a focused respiratory
assessment.
Auscultate anterior chest; blue dots
indicate stethoscope placement for
auscultation
ABDOMEN
Inspect: Abdominal distension may indicate
ascites associated with conditions
o Abdomen for distension, asymmetry such as heart failure, cirrhosis, and
Auscultate: pancreatitis. Markedly visible
o Bowel sounds (RLQ) peristalsis with abdominal distension
may indicate intestinal obstruction.
Palpate:
o Four quadrants for pain and Hyperactive bowel sounds may
bladder/bowel distension (light indicate bowel obstruction,
palpation only) gastroenteritis, or subsiding paralytic
ileum.
Check urine output for frequency, colour,
odour. Hypoactive or absent bowel sounds
Determine frequency and type of bowel may be present after abdominal
movements. surgery, or with peritonitis or
paralytic ileus.
EXTREMITIES
Inspect: Limitation in range of movement may
indicate articular disease or injury.
Arms and legs for pain, deformity,
edema, pressure areas, bruises Palpate pulses for symmetry in rate
Compare bilaterally and rhythm. Asymmetry may indicate
Palpate: cardiovascular conditions or post-
Radial pulses surgical complications.
seconds.