How to do an abdominal exam for an OSCE
Key point- Abdominal exam is tight for time so really try and race through the early peripheral signs in hands and face.
The routine for Abdo
Wash hands
Introduce
Consent +
Explanation
Explanation of
talking to examiner
Pain
Observe from end of bed
Look
around
Drains
Lines
Food/drink
Look
at patient
Comfort
Well
perfused
Alert
Orientated
Hands
Leuconychia
Koilonychia
Clubbing
Tendon
xanthomata
(turn
over)
Erythema
Dupuytren's
(pigmentation
of creases?)
Arms
Asterexis
Pulse
Fistulae
Blood
pressure
Axilla
hair
Acanthosis
nigricans
Face
Eyes
Pallor
ictarus
KF
rings
Corneal
arcus or xanthalesma
Mouth
Angular
stomatitis
Glossitis
Ulcers
Pigmentation
Telangiectasia
Neck
JVP
Lymph
nodes
When
you have patient up look for scars.
FLATTEN BED!!!
Chest
Gynaecomastia
Hair
distribution
Spider
naevi
Acanthosis
nigricans
Abdomen
Inspect
Scars
or stoma
Visible
masses, pulsations or peristalsis
Visible
veins
Striae
Palpate
ASK
ABOUT PAIN AGAIN
For
pain, look at patient
For
massess
LIVER
Spleen
Kidney
Aorta
Pecuss
Each
area
Borders
of liver
Spleen
Bladder
Ascultate
Bowel
sounds
Bruits
Aortic,
renal
Legs
Pedal
oedema
To complete
Hernial
orifices, external genitalia, DRE
Temp,
Urine dip