What areas do you examine during the detailed physical exam?

1. Head and Neck:

- Inspect the head for size, shape, and any deformities.

- Palpate the skull for any irregularities or tenderness.

- Examine the scalp for any scars, lesions, or parasites.

- Check the face for symmetry, any unusual swelling, or asymmetry.

- Inspect the nose and sinuses for any discharge, obstruction, or deviation.

- Examine the mouth, including the teeth, gums, palate, and tongue.

- Check the ears for any discharge, inflammation, or abnormalities.

- Palpate the lymph nodes in the neck and submandibular region.

2. Respiratory System:

- Inspect the chest for any deformities, asymmetry, or retractions.

- Observe the respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth.

- Perform percussion and auscultation of the lungs anteriorly and posteriorly.

- Assess breath sounds, noting any abnormalities such as wheezes, rales, or rhonchi.

3. Cardiovascular System:

- Inspect the jugular venous pressure (JVP).

- Auscultate the heart by placing your stethoscope at the aortic, pulmonic, tricuspid, and mitral areas.

- Listen for any murmurs, gallops, or extra heart sounds.

- Check for peripheral pulses (e.g., radial, brachial, dorsalis pedis, and carotid pulses).

4. Gastrointestinal System:

- Inspect the abdomen for any distension, bulging, or asymmetry.

- Auscultate for bowel sounds in all four quadrants.

- Perform light and deep palpation of the abdomen, noting any tenderness, masses, or organomegaly.

- Assess for any hernias or signs of peritonitis.

5. Musculoskeletal System:

- Inspect the arms and legs for any deformities, swelling, or muscle wasting.

- Check the range of motion of the major joints.

- Assess muscle strength by evaluating against resistance (manual muscle testing).

- Examine for any pain or tenderness with movement.

6. Neurological System:

- Assess level of consciousness, orientation, and speech.

- Check pupils for size, equality, and response to light.

- Evaluate cranial nerve function by testing eye movements, facial symmetry, sensation, and reflex (e.g., corneal reflex, gag reflex, and plantar reflex).

- Test motor function, coordination, and sensory perception.

7. Skin:

- Inspect the skin for any rashes, lesions, texture changes, or abnormal pigmentation.

- Check for any edema or changes in skin turgor.