Physical exam documentation

All of the below exams are uniquely different and meant to be tailored to the needs of the emergency department clinician. The additional physical exams were added in response to the new CMS standards for physical exam and documentation circa 2023. The following physical exams are not intended to represent a complete exam.

Physical exam

Physical exam 1

GENERAL APPEARANCE NAD, activity normal for age, well developed/ well nourished, no cyanosis, pallor, or diaphoresis.

EYES lids/conjunctiva normal. EARS/NOSE/THROAT Mucous membranes moist, nares normal, lips/teeth normal uvula midline without oral pharyngeal erythema, exudate or swelling TMs normal bilaterally. No lymphangitis/lymphedema.

HEAD/NECK normocephalic atraumatic, no facial trauma, neck is supple.

RESPIRATORY respiratory effort normal, speaks in full sentences, no tripod position, no accessory muscle use. Lungs clear to auscultation without rhonchi, wheezes, rales

CARDIAC Regular rate and rhythm, no edema.

ABDOMINAL Soft, ND/NT. No evidence of fluid wave. No pulsatile masses on exam, rebound tenderness, Murphy sign or pain over Mcburney's point.

MUSCLES/EXTREMITIES No abnormal range of motion, no swelling.

SKIN Warm, pink and dry. No rashes, dermatoses, petechiae or lesions.

NEUROLOGICAL Speech is clear and appropriate. Normal level of consciousness. Gait and coordination are normal. 5/5 strength in all extremities.

PSYCH Normal mood and affect. Judgement/competence is appropriate

Physical exam 2

Gen: A&O NAD

Lungs: No Respiratory distress

Neuro: Normal Gait, Grossly intact.

Physical exam 3

Gen: A&O NAD

HEENT: NCAT, EOMI, not icteric. External ears normal. No rhinorrhea. Moist mucous membranes.

Neck: Supple, full range of motion, no observable masses, No meningeal sign.

Lungs: No Respiratory distress.

CV: RRR, no edema.

Abdomen: Soft, nondistended, No rebound tenderness.

MSK: No joint swelling, no redness.

Skin: No rashes, petechiae, lesions. Normal color per patient.

Neuro: Normal Gait, Grossly intact.

Psych: Appropriate for situation.

Physical exam 4

Gen: WNWD appropriate for age. Non-toxic.

Respiratory: normal effort. No audible wheezing or stridor.

Abdomen: Neg rebound murphy or pain over Mcburneys point. + suprapubic tenderness. -CVA tenderness.

Neuro: Speech is clear and appropriate. nml lv of consciousness, gait and balance nml. +5/5 strength extremeities.

ENT Exam

HEENT: NCAT, EMOI, noninjected, non-icteric, external ears normal, moist mucous membranes

Neurological exam

Speech is clear and appropriate. nml lv of consciousness, gait and balance nml. +5/5 strength in all extremities.

Abdominal exam

Abdomen: Soft, nondistended, nontender. Negative fluid wave. No masses appreciated on palpation, negative Murphy sign, negative pain over McBurney's point. No CVA tenderness.

Abdomen: ND/NT, soft, no rebound tenderness

Cellulitis

Compartments soft. <2sec CRT. +2 pulse. Normal sensation. Nerves and tendons intact. No tenderness to palpation proximal or distal. No skip lesions. No fluctuance or signs of drainable abscess. No palpable crepitus.

Slit lamp exam

Slit Lamp with fluorescein

Lids/lashes = nl

Conjunctiva = cl

Cornea = cl

Anterior chamber = D/Q

Iris = R/R

Lens = cl

No FB noted on extensive exam

Knee

Anterior/posterior/varus/valgus/McMurry's tests negative. Patella in place. No instability of knee. Negative Ballottement test. Neg axial load.

Ortho normal

No open fracture. Compartments soft. <2sec CRT. +2 pulse. Normal sensation. Nerves and tendons intact. No tenderness to palpation proximal or distal. No retained foreign body or signs of infection.

Ortho upper extremity

bilateral upper extremities fires ain/pin/u slit fwds/sf/if, radial 2+, CRT <2s

Ortho lower extremity

Bilateral lower extremities

Sensory: SILT S/S/DP/SP/T

FIRES TA, EHL, GS, FHL

DP 2+ , CRT <2s

Rectal Exam

Chaperone was in plain view of my exam for the full duration.

Normal external anus and normal tone.

No palpable masses, normal mucosa, brown stool.

Pelvic exam

Pelvic Exam (with Female Chaperone):

External: Normal

Vaginal: Normal

Bimanual: Negative