SCRIBE PHYSICAL EXAM
TERMINOLOGY QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Murphy's Sign - Answer-pain in right upper quadrant that may indicate gallbladder infection
(Abdomen)
Rovsing's Sign - Answer-palpation of the left lower quadrant causes right lower quadrant pain
that may indicate appendicitis (Abdomen)
Psoas Sign - Answer-pain produced with bending of the patient's knees to chest that may
indicate appendicitis (Abdomen)
Heel Tap Test - Answer-tap the heel to see if it causes pain, also done by having the patient
jump up to see if pain is felt in the abdomen - may indicate appendicitis (Abdomen)
McBurney's Point Tenderness - Answer-tenderness to palpation in the mid-point of the right
lower quadrant (RLQ) which can indicate appendicitis (Abdomen)
Umbilical Hernia - Answer-outward protrusion of intra-abdominal tissue and/or bowel through
belly button (Abdomen)
Grey Turner's Sign - Answer-bruising in flank area (lower back area) (Abdomen)
Cullen's Sign - Answer-bruising in the skin around the umbilicus (Abdomen)
Inguinal Hernia - Answer-protrusion in the groin (Genital)
Cremasteric Reflex - Answer-upward pull of testicles and scrotum due to touch (Genital)
Paraphymosis - Answer-inability to pull back foreskin back over glans penis to its normal
position (Genital)
Guaiac (Hemoccult) positive/negative - Answer-blood present/absent in stool (Rectal)
Rectal Tone - Answer-tone of rectal muscles during digital exam (Rectal)
Melena - Answer-dark, tarry like stool containing blood (Rectal)
Cervical Motion Tenderness (CMT) - Answer-pain with movement of cervix (Pelvic)
Adnexal Tenderness - Answer-tenderness in location of the ovaries and fallopian tubes (Pelvic)
Os Open/Closed - Answer-cervical os (opening to cervix) is open or closed (Pelvic)
Vaginal Vault - Answer-vaginal canal (Pelvic)
, POC - Answer-product of conception (fetus, placenta, etc) (Pelvic)
Clubbing - Answer-deformity of finger/fingernail due to chronic cyanosis (Extremities)
Snuff Box Tenderness - Answer-pain in certain area of the wrist indicating a possible scaphoid
bone fracture (Extremities)
Median/Ulnar/Radial Sensory Function - Answer-all these nerves run in forearm - tested in the
hand exam (Extremities)
Pain Out of Proportion - Answer-excessive pain not matching the expected with pressure
applied by the doctor (Extremities)
Valgus/Varus Stress Test - Answer-evaluation for knee instability (Extremities)
Homan's Sign - Answer-pain in calf or popliteal region (Extremities)
Pitting Edema - Answer-persistent indention of an area of skin when pressed on by the provider
due to excess edema (Extremities)
AKA/BKA - Answer-above/below knee amputation (indicate R or L) (Extremities)
Ligamentous Laxity - Answer-loose ligaments (Extremities)
McMurray's Test - Answer-rotation of knee causes pain (Extremities)
Lachman's Test - Answer-pivot shift test causes pain (Extremities)
Bursa - Answer-small fluid filled sack surrounding a joint (Extremities)
Aphasia - Answer-loss of ability to express or understand speech (Neurologic)
Dysphasia - Answer-having a difficult time finding what words to say (Neurologic)
Dysarthria - Answer-difficult time communicating or articulation (i.e. slurred speech) (Neurologic)
Purposeful Movements - Answer-patient moves upon painful stimulation (Neurologic)
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - Answer-a scoring system used to describe the level of
consciousness in a person following a traumatic brain injury (Neurologic)
Localizes to Pain - Answer-withdraws extremity where painful stimulation is applied (Neurologic)
Grip Strength - Answer-tested usually by patient gripping HCP's fingers (L+R+Bi) (Neurologic)
Pronator Drift - Answer-hold palms out upwards and look for movement of palms (rotation)
(Neurologic)
Dysmetria - Answer-finger to nose exam (Neurologic)
Dysdiadochokinesia - Answer-inability to perform rapid alternating movements (Neurologic)
TERMINOLOGY QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Murphy's Sign - Answer-pain in right upper quadrant that may indicate gallbladder infection
(Abdomen)
Rovsing's Sign - Answer-palpation of the left lower quadrant causes right lower quadrant pain
that may indicate appendicitis (Abdomen)
Psoas Sign - Answer-pain produced with bending of the patient's knees to chest that may
indicate appendicitis (Abdomen)
Heel Tap Test - Answer-tap the heel to see if it causes pain, also done by having the patient
jump up to see if pain is felt in the abdomen - may indicate appendicitis (Abdomen)
McBurney's Point Tenderness - Answer-tenderness to palpation in the mid-point of the right
lower quadrant (RLQ) which can indicate appendicitis (Abdomen)
Umbilical Hernia - Answer-outward protrusion of intra-abdominal tissue and/or bowel through
belly button (Abdomen)
Grey Turner's Sign - Answer-bruising in flank area (lower back area) (Abdomen)
Cullen's Sign - Answer-bruising in the skin around the umbilicus (Abdomen)
Inguinal Hernia - Answer-protrusion in the groin (Genital)
Cremasteric Reflex - Answer-upward pull of testicles and scrotum due to touch (Genital)
Paraphymosis - Answer-inability to pull back foreskin back over glans penis to its normal
position (Genital)
Guaiac (Hemoccult) positive/negative - Answer-blood present/absent in stool (Rectal)
Rectal Tone - Answer-tone of rectal muscles during digital exam (Rectal)
Melena - Answer-dark, tarry like stool containing blood (Rectal)
Cervical Motion Tenderness (CMT) - Answer-pain with movement of cervix (Pelvic)
Adnexal Tenderness - Answer-tenderness in location of the ovaries and fallopian tubes (Pelvic)
Os Open/Closed - Answer-cervical os (opening to cervix) is open or closed (Pelvic)
Vaginal Vault - Answer-vaginal canal (Pelvic)
, POC - Answer-product of conception (fetus, placenta, etc) (Pelvic)
Clubbing - Answer-deformity of finger/fingernail due to chronic cyanosis (Extremities)
Snuff Box Tenderness - Answer-pain in certain area of the wrist indicating a possible scaphoid
bone fracture (Extremities)
Median/Ulnar/Radial Sensory Function - Answer-all these nerves run in forearm - tested in the
hand exam (Extremities)
Pain Out of Proportion - Answer-excessive pain not matching the expected with pressure
applied by the doctor (Extremities)
Valgus/Varus Stress Test - Answer-evaluation for knee instability (Extremities)
Homan's Sign - Answer-pain in calf or popliteal region (Extremities)
Pitting Edema - Answer-persistent indention of an area of skin when pressed on by the provider
due to excess edema (Extremities)
AKA/BKA - Answer-above/below knee amputation (indicate R or L) (Extremities)
Ligamentous Laxity - Answer-loose ligaments (Extremities)
McMurray's Test - Answer-rotation of knee causes pain (Extremities)
Lachman's Test - Answer-pivot shift test causes pain (Extremities)
Bursa - Answer-small fluid filled sack surrounding a joint (Extremities)
Aphasia - Answer-loss of ability to express or understand speech (Neurologic)
Dysphasia - Answer-having a difficult time finding what words to say (Neurologic)
Dysarthria - Answer-difficult time communicating or articulation (i.e. slurred speech) (Neurologic)
Purposeful Movements - Answer-patient moves upon painful stimulation (Neurologic)
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) - Answer-a scoring system used to describe the level of
consciousness in a person following a traumatic brain injury (Neurologic)
Localizes to Pain - Answer-withdraws extremity where painful stimulation is applied (Neurologic)
Grip Strength - Answer-tested usually by patient gripping HCP's fingers (L+R+Bi) (Neurologic)
Pronator Drift - Answer-hold palms out upwards and look for movement of palms (rotation)
(Neurologic)
Dysmetria - Answer-finger to nose exam (Neurologic)
Dysdiadochokinesia - Answer-inability to perform rapid alternating movements (Neurologic)
