Scribd
Upload
62 views4 pages

Physical Examination: A. When Examining A Patient, You Should

The document provides guidance on properly examining patients, including explaining procedures to patients, using polite language when giving instructions, and sharing findings at the end of the exam. Key points include explaining each step to alleviate anxiety, using terms like "first, then" to clearly explain procedures, and performing a thorough assessment using inspection, palpation, auscultation, and percussion.

Uploaded by

Deti Kurnia Dewi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
62 views4 pages

Physical Examination: A. When Examining A Patient, You Should

The document provides guidance on properly examining patients, including explaining procedures to patients, using polite language when giving instructions, and sharing findings at the end of the exam. Key points include explaining each step to alleviate anxiety, using terms like "first, then" to clearly explain procedures, and performing a thorough assessment using inspection, palpation, auscultation, and percussion.

Uploaded by

Deti Kurnia Dewi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

A. When examining a patient, you should:


1. Explain to the patient what you are going to do in a clear and simple way. You can start
using the following expressions:
- I am going to examine your (throat, skin, neck, chest, belly, etc.) … so I can find
out what‟s causing this, what‟s going on with you, etc.
- I‟d like to…
- What we are going to do today is….
- I will ask you to…
- Are you ready?
- OK?
2. Give your instructions in a clear but polite manner.
GRAMMAR NOTE I: The simple form of a verb is used to give instructions or make
requests.
E.g. Remove your clothes and put on this gown, please.
Please stick your tongue out for me.
Notice that there is no subject because you (the person being asked to do something) is
obvious.
Use please to make a request more polite. Please can go either at the beginning or at the
end of a sentence.
However, you will make your requests a lot more polite if you use them with such
modals as CAN/COULD/WILL/WOULD.
E.g. Can/Could/Will/Would you stick your tongue out? - is more polite than – Stick your
tongue out.

COULD and WOULD are considered to be more polite than CAN and WILL.
Again, the word please makes the request even more polite. The two possible positions of
please in requests are either between you and the verb or at the end of a sentence.
E.g. Would you please lie down so I can examine your belly?
Can you fold your arms across the chest, please?
It is best to start an examination making the polite requests with modals. After the first
few polite requests, direct instructions with imperatives can be used.
E.g. Could you please remove your shirt and put on this gown?
Would you lie down on the examination table?
Rest your hands by your side, please.
Please breathe through your mouth and take slow, deep breathes.
Soften these instructions using the modals of polite request CAN, COULD, WILL or
WOULD. Follow the example:
1. Turn your head this way, Could you turn your head this way,
please. please?
2. Open wide, please. Say “Ahh”. Can you open wide, please? Say
“Ahh”.
3. Take off your shoes and socks, Will you take your shoes and socks,
please. please?
4. Roll up your sleeve for me, Would you roll up your sleeve for
please. me?
5. Tilt your head back a little Could you tilt your head back a
more, please. little more, please?
6. Take off your clothes and put Would you take off your clothes and
on this gown, please. put on this gown?

Now think about when each of these requests is made. Match them with the examination or
procedure they are used for. Follow the example:
Auscultation ………………………
6.
Feet examination ………………………
head examination ………………………
Throat examination ………………………
Taking blood pressure ………………………
ankle examination ………………………

3. Explain to your patient each step of the examination. Encourage him/her to ask questions
about the procedures you are performing. This will help to alleviate anxiety. Use the
following phrases:
- I‟m just going to…
- First, I‟ll…
- Then I„ll…
- Now I‟m going to…
- You‟ll feel…
- That‟s it. You did great.
GRAMMAR NOTE II: Such words as first, then, next, after that, finally are the
connecting words that show the order of steps in the procedure or the order of events in
the narrative. Try to use them when you describe some process. They will make your
explanation clear, logical and easy to follow for your patients or colleagues. Then, next,
and after that are interchangeable; that is, after first and before finally, they can be mixed
up in different orders.

PUNCTUATION NOTE: When describing the order of events in writing, use comma
when first, next, after that and finally come at the beginning of a sentence. Note that no
comma is necessary after then.

Here are the instructions on how to take vital signs. Number them in the order they
should be given from 1 to 5. Then add the connecting words to each step. The first one is
done for you.
…. …. take the patient‟s temperature.
…. …. check his or her blood pressure.
…. …. tell the patient to wait the doctor.
1 First, weigh the patient on the scale.
…. …. take his or her pulse and respirations.

4. At the end of an examination, share your findings with the patient:


- Everything looks normal.
- I haven‟t found anything to suggest any problems.
- One possibility is it could be what we call…
- Well, I am fairly certain you‟ve got a …
B. Verbs used in instructions given during examinations:
- bend down - raise your leg
- open your mouth - turn on your side
- stand straight/stand up - lie on your side/back, lie
- breath in/out on the bed, lie down
- pull/push as hard as you - roll over/roll on to your
can back/front
- take off your shoes - tilt your head back
- follow my fingertip with - look straight ahead/look at
your eyes something
- stick your tongue out - sit/sit up
- turn your head to the left - relax
- flex your foot
Check the correct word combinations in the table below. Follow the example:

your foot your leg your head your shoulder


Raise X
Turn
Tilt
Relax
Stretch
Bend
Flex

C. To perform a thorough, complete assessment of a patient, four basic techniques are


used:
Inspection Palpation Auscultation Percussion

Match each technique with its meaning. Write it next to the definition.

a tapping the surface of a body part with a finger ….


b listening to the sounds of organs with a ….
stethoscope
c careful examination of a person ….
d touching with hands and feeling for texture, ….
shape, temperature, moisture, etc.

You might also like