Today our topic of discussion is Assistance in the Examination.
Assistance in the Examination
To Take Height and Weight:
- To measure the length of the baby who cannot stand, light to the patient’s face place the baby on a hard surface, with the soles of the feet supported in an upright position
- The knees are extended and the measurement is taken from the soles of the feet to the vertex of the head
- The head should be in such a position that the eyes are facing the ceiling
- After a child can stand, the height can be measured, if the child with the heels back and head against a wall
- A small flat board held from the top of the head to the wall, will give an accurate measure of the height that is the distance from the floor to the board
- The weight of a person who can stand is generally measured by a standing scale
- The patient stands on the platform and the weight is noted on the dial
- Usually the weight is taken without shoes
- To take the weight of the baby, a baby weighing scale is used, in which there is a container, where the baby can be laid
To Measure the Skull Circumference
The skull is measured at its greatest diameter from above the eyes to the occipital protuberance.As far as possible a nurse should remain with a female the eyes to the occipital protuberance.
Examination of the Eyes
- The examination is done in a lying or sitting position
- The examiner frequently uses a head mirror that reflects light to the patient face
- The first examination is one of inspection to determine the movements of the eyes, reaction to light, accommodation to near and far objects
- For detailed examination of the internal parts of the eye an ophthalmoscope is used.
Examination of the Ears
- The patient may be placed either in a lying or sitting position with the ear to be examined turned towards the examiner
- Articles used for the examination are a head mirror, ear. During the examination, the patient’s face is turned away from the doctor. speculum of various sizes, cotton tipped applicators and autoscope
- Tuning fork is used to test the hearing
- A child needs to be carefully restrained
- Young children sit on their mother’s lap with their legs restrained between the mother’s knees and their arms held against their back
- The mother then holds the child’s head against the chest
- Very small infants can be laid on the examination table.
Examination of the Nose, Throat and Mouth
- The patient is usually seated with the head resting against the back of the chair
- For the examination of the throat, a tongue depressor and a good light are needed
- For examination of the nose, a nasal speculum and a head mirror are used. Sometimes the autoscope is also used.
Examination of the Neck
- The neck needs to be palpated for lymph nodes.
- In order to assess the thyroid glands, the patient is asked to swallow saliva.
Examination of the Chest
- The physician listens to the sound within the chest by means of a stethoscope.
- To examine the posterior chest, the patient is placed in a sitting position
- The heart and lungs are examined by percussion
- During the examination of a male patient’s genitals. auscultation
- The breasts are examined by palpation for the presence of lumps or growths
- The axillae are palpated for enlarged lymph nodes.
Examination of the Abdomen
- Extremities are inspected, palpated and moved
- A fine tremor suggestive of hyperthyroidism can be observed, if the patient is asked to hold the arms out in front of him for a few minutes.
Read more: