| System/Body Area |
Elements of Examination
|
|
Constitutional
|
-
Measurement of any three of the following seven vital signs:
-
Sitting or standing blood pressure
-
Supine blood pressure
-
Pulse rate and regularity
-
Respiration
-
Temperature
-
Height
-
Weight (may be measured and recorded by ancillary staff)
-
General appearance of patient (e.g., development, nutrition, body habitus, deformities, attention to grooming)
|
|
Eyes
|
-
Inspection of conjunctivae and lids
-
Examination of pupils and irises (e.g., reaction to light and accommodation, size and symmetry)
-
Ophthalmoscopic examination of optic discs (e.g., size, C/D ratio, appearance) and posterior segments (e.g., vessel changes, exudates, hemorrhages)
|
|
Ears, Nose,
Mouth and Throat
|
-
External inspection of ears and nose (e.g., overall appearance, scars, lesions, masses)
-
Otoscopic examination of external auditory canals and tympanic membranes
-
Assessment of hearing (e.g., whispered voice, finger rub, tuning fork)
-
Inspection of nasal mucosa, septum and turbinates
-
Inspection of lips, teeth and gums
-
Examination of oropharynx: oral mucosa, salivary glands, hard and soft palates, tongue, tonsils and posterior pharynx
|
|
Neck
|
-
Examination of neck (e.g., masses, overall appearance, symmetry, tracheal position, crepitus)
-
Examination of thyroid (e.g., enlargement, tenderness, mass)
|
|
Respiratory
|
-
Assessment of respiratory effort (e.g., intercostal retractions, use of accessory muscles, diaphragmatic movement)
-
Percussion of chest (e.g., dullness, flatness, hyperresonance)
-
Palpation of chest (e.g., tactile fremitus)
-
Auscultation of lungs (e.g., breath sounds, adventitious sounds, rubs)
|
| Cardiovascular |
- Palpation of heart (e.g., location, size, thrills)
- Auscultation of heart with notation of abnormal sounds and murmurs
- Examination of:
- Carotid arteries (e.g., pulse amplitude, bruits)
- Abdominal aorta (e.g., size, bruits)
- Femoral arteries (e.g., pulse amplitude, bruits)
- Pedal pulses (e.g., pulse amplitude)
- Extremities for edema and/or varicosities
|
| Chest (Breasts) |
- Inspection of breasts (e.g., symmetry, nipple discharge)
- Palpation of breasts and axillae (e.g., masses or lumps, tenderness)
|
|
Gastrointestinal
(Abdomen)
|
-
Examination of abdomen with notation of presence of masses or tenderness
-
Examination of liver and spleen
-
Examination for presence or absence of hernia
(When indicated)
- Examination of anus, perineum and rectum, including sphincter tone, presence of hemorrhoids, rectal masses
- Obtain stool sample for occult blood test when indicated
|
| Genitourinary |
Male:
- Examination of the scrotal contents (e.g., hydrocele, spermatocele, tenderness of cord, testicular mass)
- Examination of the penis
- Digital rectal examination of prostate gland (e.g., size, symmetry, nodularity, tenderness)
Female:
- Pelvic examination (with or without specimen collection for smears and cultures), including:
- Examination of external genitalia (e.g., general appearance, hair distribution, lesions) and vagina (e.g., general appearance, estrogen effect, discharge, lesions, pelvic support, cystocele, rectocele)
- Examination of urethra (e.g., masses, tenderness, scarring)
- Examination of bladder (e.g., fullness, masses, tenderness)
- Cervix (e.g., general appearance, lesions, discharge)
- Uterus (e.g., size, contour, position, mobility, tenderness, consistency, descent or support)
- Adnexa/parametria (e.g., masses, tenderness, organomegaly, nodularity)
|
| Lymphatic |
Palpation of lymph nodes in two or more areas:
|
| Musculoskeletal |
- Examination of gait and station
- Inspection and/or palpation of digits and nails (e.g., clubbing, cyanosis, inflammatory conditions, petechiae, ischemia, infections, nodes)
- Examination of joints, bones and muscles of one or more of the following six areas:
- Head and neck
- Spine, ribs and pelvis
- Right upper extremity
- Left upper extremity
- Right lower extremity
- Left lower extremity.
- The examination of a given area includes:
- Inspection and/or palpation with notation of presence of any misalignment, asymmetry, crepitation, defects, tenderness, masses or effusions
- Assessment of range of motion with notation of any pain, crepitation or contracture
- Assessment of stability with notation of any dislocation (luxation), subluxation or laxity
- Assessment of muscle strength and tone (e.g., flaccid, cog wheel, spastic) with notation of any atrophy or abnormal movements
|
| Skin |
- Inspection of skin and subcutaneous tissue (e.g., rashes, lesions, ulcers)
- Palpation of skin and subcutaneous tissue (e.g., induration, subcutaneous nodules, tightening)
|
| Neurologic |
- Test cranial nerves with notation of any deficits
- Examination of deep tendon reflexes with notation of pathological reflexes (e.g., Babinski)
- Examination of sensation (e.g., by touch, pin, vibration, proprioception)
|
| Psychiatric |
- Description of patient's judgment and insight
- Brief assessment of mental status including:
- Orientation to time, place and person
- Recent and remote memory
- Mood and affect (e.g., depression, anxiety, agitation)
|