SCRIBE: PHYSICAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Anatomical Position - Answer--It is the frame of reference that is used to describe
anatomy and movement.
-Standing erect, facing directly forward, feet pointed forward and slightly apart, and
arms hanging down at the sides with palms facing forward.
-When documenting PE findings, it is important to be aware of the anatomical position
because PE findings are always documented in terms of the patient's body positioning.
General/Constitutional Exam Findings
Normal vs Abnormal - Answer--No acute distress vs. Mild/Moderate/Severe distress
(due to pain)
-Well developed, well nourished vs. Cachectic/emaciated/malnourished
-Alert vs. Somnolent/ obtunded/ unresponsive
Head Exam Findings
Normal vs. Abnormal - Answer-Atraumatic vs. Any signs of trauma, sinus tenderness,
and angioedema
Eyes Exam Findings
Normal vs. Abnormal - Answer--Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to light vs. Anisocoria
-Extra Ocular Movements Intact (EOMI) vs. EOM entrapment
-Sclera are anicteric vs. Scleral icterus (liver failure)
-Normal Conjunctiva vs. Pale conjunctiva (Anemia) Conjunctival injection
(Conjunctivitis)
Ear Exam Findings - Answer-TM erythema
TM Bulging
TM Dullness
TM obscured by cerumen(earwax)
Nose Exam Findings - Answer-Epistaxis
Rhinorrhea
Septal hematoma
Boggy turbinates
Nasal deformity
Mouth/Throat Exam findings - Answer-Dry Mucous membranes (DMM)
Dental Caries
Edentulous
Pharyngeal Rythma
Tonsillar Exudate
Tonsillar Hypertrophy
, Peritonsillar Abscess (PTA)
Neck/Cervical Spine Exam Findings - Answer-JVD
Carotid Bruit
Cervical lymphadenopathy
Vertebral Point (midline) vs. Paraspinal tenderness
Thyromegaly
Cardiovascular (CV) - Answer-Tachycardia (>100 bpm) vs. Bradycardia (<60bpm)
irregularly irregular rhythm
Murmur (e.g. 2/6 systolic ejection murmur)
Extrasystoles (extra beats)
Pleural Rub
Gallop
Perfusion Exam Findings - Answer-Delayed capillary refill
0= absent
1+= barely palpable
2+= easily palpable
3+= full
4+= boarding/Aneurysmal
Abdominal Detailed Exam Findings - Answer-Absent/Hypoactive/Hyperactive Bowel
Sounds
Organomegaly (Hepatomegaly or Splenomegaly) HSM
Distended
Murphy's sign
McBurmey's point tenderness
Psoas', Obturator's, Rovsing's
Rectal Exam Findings - Answer-Heme positive (Guaiac positive)
Abnormal stool color/ Black/Melanotic, red, yellow, white, bright red
Hemorrhoids (internal, external, and thrombosis)
Rectal prolapse
Decreased rectal tone (spinal cord injury)
Female Genital Exam Findings
Normal vs. Abnormal - Answer-- Normal external genitalia vs. Sores, Lesions, Rashes
-Normal Bimanual Exam vs. Cervical motion tenderness (CMT), Uterine tenderness,
and adnexal tenderness (ovaries)
-Normal Speculum Exam--cervical os is closed and no blood or discharge vs. Cervical
os is open, there is blood in the vaginal vault and Malodorous/thick white discharge
Male Genitalia Exam Findings - Answer-- Testicular tenderness
-Epididymal tenderness
-Testicular Edema
AND ANSWERS
Anatomical Position - Answer--It is the frame of reference that is used to describe
anatomy and movement.
-Standing erect, facing directly forward, feet pointed forward and slightly apart, and
arms hanging down at the sides with palms facing forward.
-When documenting PE findings, it is important to be aware of the anatomical position
because PE findings are always documented in terms of the patient's body positioning.
General/Constitutional Exam Findings
Normal vs Abnormal - Answer--No acute distress vs. Mild/Moderate/Severe distress
(due to pain)
-Well developed, well nourished vs. Cachectic/emaciated/malnourished
-Alert vs. Somnolent/ obtunded/ unresponsive
Head Exam Findings
Normal vs. Abnormal - Answer-Atraumatic vs. Any signs of trauma, sinus tenderness,
and angioedema
Eyes Exam Findings
Normal vs. Abnormal - Answer--Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to light vs. Anisocoria
-Extra Ocular Movements Intact (EOMI) vs. EOM entrapment
-Sclera are anicteric vs. Scleral icterus (liver failure)
-Normal Conjunctiva vs. Pale conjunctiva (Anemia) Conjunctival injection
(Conjunctivitis)
Ear Exam Findings - Answer-TM erythema
TM Bulging
TM Dullness
TM obscured by cerumen(earwax)
Nose Exam Findings - Answer-Epistaxis
Rhinorrhea
Septal hematoma
Boggy turbinates
Nasal deformity
Mouth/Throat Exam findings - Answer-Dry Mucous membranes (DMM)
Dental Caries
Edentulous
Pharyngeal Rythma
Tonsillar Exudate
Tonsillar Hypertrophy
, Peritonsillar Abscess (PTA)
Neck/Cervical Spine Exam Findings - Answer-JVD
Carotid Bruit
Cervical lymphadenopathy
Vertebral Point (midline) vs. Paraspinal tenderness
Thyromegaly
Cardiovascular (CV) - Answer-Tachycardia (>100 bpm) vs. Bradycardia (<60bpm)
irregularly irregular rhythm
Murmur (e.g. 2/6 systolic ejection murmur)
Extrasystoles (extra beats)
Pleural Rub
Gallop
Perfusion Exam Findings - Answer-Delayed capillary refill
0= absent
1+= barely palpable
2+= easily palpable
3+= full
4+= boarding/Aneurysmal
Abdominal Detailed Exam Findings - Answer-Absent/Hypoactive/Hyperactive Bowel
Sounds
Organomegaly (Hepatomegaly or Splenomegaly) HSM
Distended
Murphy's sign
McBurmey's point tenderness
Psoas', Obturator's, Rovsing's
Rectal Exam Findings - Answer-Heme positive (Guaiac positive)
Abnormal stool color/ Black/Melanotic, red, yellow, white, bright red
Hemorrhoids (internal, external, and thrombosis)
Rectal prolapse
Decreased rectal tone (spinal cord injury)
Female Genital Exam Findings
Normal vs. Abnormal - Answer-- Normal external genitalia vs. Sores, Lesions, Rashes
-Normal Bimanual Exam vs. Cervical motion tenderness (CMT), Uterine tenderness,
and adnexal tenderness (ovaries)
-Normal Speculum Exam--cervical os is closed and no blood or discharge vs. Cervical
os is open, there is blood in the vaginal vault and Malodorous/thick white discharge
Male Genitalia Exam Findings - Answer-- Testicular tenderness
-Epididymal tenderness
-Testicular Edema
