The Physical Examination

The Physical Examination

1. Visual Examination

   • This means looking at the affected part of the body where this is possible.
     • In some cases a diagnosis can be made by observation, such as arthritis dye to swelling and distortion of the joints.

2. Palpation

   • Palpation means feeling part of the patient's body with the fingers.
     • Detects abnormalities in organs, like tumors or swellings.
     • This also enables the GP to see whether the patient feels pain when light pressure is applied.

3. Percussion

   • A diagnostic technique in which a GP holds on or two fingers against the patients body and then taps these fingers with the other hand whilst listening to the resulting sounds, this is useful for assessing the condition of the lungs.
     • A hollow sound indicated the lung is clear of fluid, if there is fluid the sound may be dull or muffled.

4. Use of a stethoscope

   • A simple device that channels sound from a metal dish along two tubes in the GP's ears which eliminates any background noise.
     • The GP can listen to the heart, arteries, lungs and digestive system and identify abnormal noises.
       • Breathing will sound noising if the airways are blocked, or if excess fluid is present.
       • Heart arrhythmias will sounds different from a regular, two noise heartbeat.

5. Measuring temprature

   • A GP will use either a digital thermometer which is placed under the tongue, in the armpit rectum or ear, or an infrared thermometer which is placed in the ear, this is then left for 3around 30 seconds until the thermometer beeps, a reading of 37 degrees is normal.
     • A temperature of 39 and above may indicate fever.
       • Below 37 may indicate a disorder.

6. Measuring blood pressure

   • Measured using a machine called a SPHYMOMANOMENTER.
     • A hollow rubber cuff is placed around the patients upper arm just above the elbow, pressure is exerted as the pump inflates, this grips the arm tightly and constricts the blood flowing past the cuff along the artery leading to the hand. The systolic reading is then taken and the heart beat is recorded. The cuff then deflates and the diastolic reading is taken.

7. Reflex Testing

   • Detects damaged nerve pathways.
     • Absence of a reflex response might indicate damage or disease to the nerve pathway or spinal cord.