Abdominal Examination - OSCE Guide (old version 2) | UKMLA | CPSA

Summary

The script depicts a medical examination of a 28-year-old male, Dan. The doctor conducts a thorough physical check, including observation of the face, palpation of the abdomen, and auscultation of the stomach. No abnormalities are found; the examination is consistent with a normal GI assessment. The doctor plans to complete the exam with further checks of external genitalia, hernia orifices, and a PR examination.

Takeaways

• 👨‍⚕️ The examination is being conducted by a medical professional on a patient named Dan.
• 👕 The patient is asked to remove his t-shirt for the physical examination.
• 🤚 The doctor inspects the patient's hands, arms, and fingers, asking him to perform certain movements.
• 👀 The patient is asked to perform eye movements and open his mouth for further examination.
• 🔍 The doctor palpates the patient's neck and abdomen to check for any abnormalities.
• 🫁 The patient is asked to breathe deeply to assist with the examination of the abdomen.
• 🩺 Auscultation is performed on the patient's abdomen to listen for bowel sounds.
• 🤝 The patient is asked to roll over to examine the back and perform a further examination.
• 🏥 The examination findings are consistent with a normal gastrointestinal (GI) examination.
• 🔚 The doctor indicates that the examination is complete and the patient can get dressed.

Q & A

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

The purpose of the examination is to perform a medical check-up on Dan, a 28-year-old male, to assess his general health with a focus on the gastrointestinal system.

What does the phrase 'I will be hands have a look at your face' mean in the context of the script?

It seems to be a typographical error. The correct phrase should be 'I will have a look at your face', indicating the examiner will visually inspect the patient's face as part of the examination.

Why does the examiner ask Dan to press on his abdomen?

Pressing on the abdomen is a part of the physical examination to check for tenderness, organomegaly, or any abnormalities that might indicate an underlying health issue.

What does 'put your hands down by your sides' indicate during the examination?

This instruction is for Dan to position his hands to the sides of his body to allow the examiner to have a clear view and access to his arms and torso for the examination.

Why is Dan asked to put his index fingernails together?

This is likely to assess the alignment and function of the fingers, which can be indicative of certain neurological or musculoskeletal conditions.

What is the significance of asking Dan to turn his hands over and extend his wrists?

This action helps the examiner to inspect the extensor surfaces of the hands and wrists for any abnormalities, and to assess the range of motion and flexibility of the wrist joints.

Why does the examiner ask Dan to close his eyes and then look up?

Closing the eyes and looking up can help the examiner assess the patient's eye movements and check for any issues with the extraocular muscles or nerves.

What is the purpose of asking Dan to stick his tongue out and point it up in the air?

This action is part of an oral examination to check the tongue's movement, color, and texture, which can provide clues about a patient's overall health or specific conditions.

Why does the examiner feel around Dan's neck during the examination?

Feeling around the neck is to check for lymph node enlargement, thyroid abnormalities, or any tenderness that could indicate an infection or other health issues.

What does 'flatten the bed' mean in this context?

This likely means to straighten or adjust the bed to ensure Dan is lying flat and comfortably for the abdominal examination.

What does the examiner mean by 'feel the blood vessel in your tummy'?

This refers to palpating the abdominal aorta to check for aneurysms or other abnormalities in the major blood vessel that runs through the abdomen.

What is the significance of listening to Dan's tummy?

Listening to the tummy, or auscultation, allows the examiner to hear bowel sounds which can indicate proper gastrointestinal function or the presence of issues like obstructions.

Why does the examiner say 'that's the end of the examination' after listening to Dan's tummy?

This signifies that the main part of the physical examination related to the gastrointestinal system is complete, and the examiner is moving on to the next steps or concluding the exam.