Abdominal Examination - OSCE Guide (Latest) | UKMLA | CPSA

Summary

In this medical examination video, Andrew, a medical student, conducts a comprehensive abdominal exam on James, a 27-year-old male. The process includes visual inspection, palpation, and auscultation. James exhibits no signs of gastrointestinal disease, with normal bowel sounds and no tenderness or masses detected. The exam concludes with a plan to check the hernial orifices and possibly perform a digital rectal exam.

Takeaways

• 👨‍⚕️ Andrew introduces himself as a medical student and prepares to perform an abdominal exam on James.
• 🗓 James' full name and date of birth are confirmed as part of the examination protocol.
• 👐 Andrew asks James to perform a series of movements with his hands and arms to observe them.
• 👁 James is asked to present his hands, face, and neck for a preliminary visual inspection.
• 🔍 Andrew examines James' eyes, mouth, and neck for any abnormalities.
• 🛏️ James is asked to lie down flat for a more detailed abdominal examination.
• 🤲 Andrew uses palpation to feel different areas of James' abdomen to check for tenderness or masses.
• 💨 James is instructed to take deep breaths to assist with the examination of his abdomen.
• 👂 Andrew uses auscultation to listen to James' abdomen for normal bowel sounds.
• 🔊 Andrew taps on James' abdomen to assess for tympany or other sounds.
• 🔚 The examination concludes with no abnormalities found, and Andrew thanks James for his cooperation.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the examination described in the script?

The purpose of the examination is to perform an abdominal exam on James, a 27-year-old male, to check for any signs of gastrointestinal disease or abnormalities.

What is the first step in the abdominal exam as described in the script?

The first step is to have James lie down and then look at his hands, asking him to bring them up in front of him and turn them over with fingernails together.

Why does the examiner ask James to lift his arms?

The examiner asks James to lift his arms to observe any potential lymphadenopathy or other abnormalities in the armpits and neck.

What does the examiner do when looking at James' face and eyes?

The examiner looks at James' face for any signs of jaundice and pulls down on his lower eyelid to check for conjunctival icterus.

How does the examiner check for any swollen glands in the neck?

The examiner asks James to sit forward so they can palpate and inspect the neck for any swollen or tender lymph nodes.

What position does the examiner ask James to be in for a closer inspection of the chest?

The examiner asks James to sit up straight for a closer inspection of the chest.

What does the examiner do to prepare for the abdominal palpation?

The examiner asks James to lie flat and then to put his hands down by his sides.

Why does the examiner ask James to take deep breaths during the abdominal exam?

The examiner asks James to take deep breaths to assess diaphragmatic movement and to listen for any abnormal breath sounds.

What does the examiner do when tapping on James' abdomen?

The examiner taps on James' abdomen to elicit a fluid wave if there is ascites, though this is not explicitly mentioned in the script.

Why does the examiner ask James to roll onto his right side?

The examiner asks James to roll onto his right side to listen to the abdomen for bowel sounds and to perform a digital rectal exam if indicated.

What is the conclusion of the abdominal exam as described in the script?

The conclusion is that James' abdomen is soft and non-tender, with no masses or organomegaly, and normal bowel sounds were heard, indicating a normal abdominal exam.