Chapter 40--Physical Exam, Specialty Exams and Procedures

Heartburn

A burning sensation beneath the breastbone; Usually associated with indigestion

Occluder

A device to block viewing when conducting an eye examination

Scribe

A person who documents by hand as a profession and helps providers keep track of records

Hernia

A projection of a part from its normal location

Flexible Sigmoidoscope

A scope used for a flexible sigmoidoscopy exam to evaluate the lower part of the large intestine (colon)

Guaiac Test Paper

A screening agent to test for hidden blood

Heart Murmur

A sound produced by the leakage of blood through a heart valve

Coordination

A state of harmonious adjustment or function

Laxative

A substance that induces the bowels to empty

Polyps

A tumor with a pedicle, especially on mucous membranes, such as in the nose, rectum or intestines

Decibel

A unit of measure to express the degree of loudness of sound

Cerumen

A waxlike brown secretion found in the external auditory canal; Earwax

Bruit

An adventitious sound or venous or arterial origin heard on auscultation; Usually refers to the sound produced by the mixing of arterial and venous blood at dialysis shunts

Spirometer

An apparatus that measures the volume of inhaled and exhaled air

Jaeger Chart

An eye chart used for reading up close and for determining near vision

Proctoscope

An instrument with illumination for examination of the rectum

Obturator

Anything that obstructs or closes a cavity or opening; Refers to the internal portion of an examining instrument that facilitates the introduction of the instrument into the body and is withdrawn permitting visualization of the internal area

Audiometer

Device used to measure degree of hearing ability

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)

Exam performed by provider to check for abnormalities of organs or other structures in the pelvis and lower abdomen

Funduscopy

Examination of the funus of the eye

Gait

Manner of walking

Tonometry

Measuring tension or pressure and especially intraocular pressure

Pulse Oximetry

Measuring the oxygen saturation of the arterial blood in a subject by utilizing a sensor attached typically to a finger, toe or ear to determine the percentage of oxyhemoglobin in blood pulsating through a network of capillaries and that typically sounds an alarm if the blood saturation becomes less than optimal

Evacuant

Medication that promotes emptying of the bowels

Turgor

Normal tension; With the skin means the resistance to being deformed and length of time to return to normal

Occult

Obscure; Hidden

Duration

Period of time a thing continues

Mucosa

Pertaining to a mucous membrane

Peripheral

Pertaining to a portion of the nervous system

Fecal

Pertaining to feces

Physical

Pertaining to the body; Examination of the body

Visceral

Pertaining to viscera, the internal organs, especially the abdomen

Resonance

Quality of the sound heard on percussion of the chest; The intensification and prolongation of a sound by reflection of vibration of a nearby object

Ishihara

Refers to an eye test to determine color vision

Percussion

Tapping the body lightly but sharply to determine the position, size and consistency of an underlying structure

Snellen Chart

The chart of alphabetic letters used to evaluate distance vision

Auscultation

The diagnostic method of listening through a stethoscope to the sounds produced by the body

Inspection

The first part of a physical exam; Close observation

Pitch

The frequency of vibrations of sound that enable one to classify sound on a scale from high to low

Enema

The instillation of fluid into the rectum and colon for the purpose of evacuating the contents

Peak Flow

The maximum rate of air flow out of the lungs during forced expiration; Used especially for monitoring lung capacity of individuals with asthma

Manipulation

The passive movement of a joint to determine the range of extension and flexion

Palpation

The process of examining using fingers or hands

Acuity

The sharpness or clarity of vision or hearing

Lumen

The space within an artery, vein or capillary; The space within a tube

Symmetry

The state in which one part exactly corresponds to another in size, shape and position

Vertex

The top of the head; The crown

Vital Capacity

The total volume of air exchanged from forced inspiration and forced expiration

Irrigate

To wash out with a liquid

Bimanual

Two-handed; With both hands

Lavage

Washing out of a cavity