The purpose of both palpation and percussion of the spleen is to look for splenic enlargement. Evaluation of splenomegaly is notoriously difficult and embarrassingly easy to miss when present. In part this is because the spleen enlarges in the inferior anteromedial direction, sometimes as far as the RLQ. Show
Technique
TechniqueNOTE: Percussion may indicate but does NOT confirm splenomegaly. With patient supine, percuss inferior to lung resonance to map out gastric tympany (i.e. Traube’s Space).
Splenic Percussion Sign (Castell’s Sign): Percuss the most inferior interspace on the left anterior axillary line (Castell’s Point). This is usually tympanic. Ask patient to breath deeply.
Dr. Saul RosenbergDr. Saul Rosenberg is a Stanford University Emeritus Professor and a luminary in the research and treatment of Hodgkin's Disease and other lymphomas. He is also a skilled bedside examiner and has wonderful tips for examining the spleen and lymph nodes. Clinical PearlTo better appreciate the spleen, have your patient lay on their right side and flex their legs towards their body. In adults, a normal spleen cannot be palpated unless they are very thin. [Skill Modules >> Liver & Ascites >> Techniques ] Techniques: Liver & AscitesTechnique: LiverApproach the examination of the liver from the right side of the patient. Have the patient lying supine. Preserve the patient�s privacy by draping the top of their body with the gown and below the waist with a sheet. For the best exam, make sure the patient is warm and comfortable. Additionally make sure your hands are warm so as to not startle the patient. InspectionLook for gross asymmetries across the abdomen. Look at the skin for signs of liver disease, such as caput medusa, or spider angiomata. AuscultationFollow the inspection of the liver, as with the rest of the abdominal exam, with auscultation. Listen over the area of the liver for bruits or venous hums. PercussionPercuss for the upper and lower margins of the liver. Place your non-dominant hand palm down flat on the abdomen with the fingers parallel to the lower costal margin pointed toward the midline. Percuss with the middle finger of your dominant hand on the middle finger of your non-dominant one. Begin percussion over the lungs and move from the area of resonant lung sounds to the areas of dullness. Mark the area of change. Repeat the same process from below, moving again from resonance over the bowel to dullness and again mark the area of change. Start in the lower right quadrant so as to not miss a greatly enlarged liver. Measure the vertical distance from the top to the bottom. You can also use palpation to determine the lower border. PalpationBegin palpation over the right lower quadrant, near the anterior iliac spine. Palpate for the liver with one or two hands palm down moving upward 2-3 cm at a time towards the lower costal margin. Have the patient take a deep breath. The liver will move downward due to the downward movement of the diaphragm. Feel for the liver to hit the caudal aspect of your palpating hand. Palpate the bottom margin of the liver for the texture of the liver, i.e. soft/ firm/hard/nodular. Scratch TestSeveral different techniques have been described for this exam. One is to place the diaphragm over the area of the liver and then scratch parallel to the costal margin until the sound intensity drops off marking the edge of the liver. Other techniques involve different patterns of the scratching, for example as in spokes of a wheel and other places for placing the stethoscope such as over the abdomen. back to top Technique: AscitesThere are several physical examination maneuvers described for detection of ascites described below that are at least moderately sensitive and specific. No single maneuver is both highly sensitive and specific; therefore at least two maneuvers are necessary to increase the accuracy of physical exam for ascites. Bulging Flanks
Flank Dullness
Shifting Dullness
Fluid Wave
When preparing the patient for a vaginal examination you would position them in the position?Knee-Chest Position. Used for rectal and vaginal examinations and as treatment to bring uterus into normal position. Patient is on knees with chest resting on bed and elbows resting on bed or arms above head. Head is turned to one side.
Which of the following would be an appropriate position for examination of the abdomen while the patient is undergoing a physical exam?The patient is initially positioned at 45 degrees for comfort, but a supine position is necessary to palpate the abdomen. Keeping a pillow under the patient's head or knees can be considered. The ideal exposure is from the nipples to the knees, but this is sometimes not practically possible.
Which of the following positions is the most appropriate for examination of the patients breasts?The breasts are best examined while lying down because it spreads the breast tissue evenly over the chest. Lie flat on your back, with one arm over your head and a pillow or folded towel under the shoulder. This position flattens the breast and makes it easier to check.
Which of the following is the most appropriate position for examination of a patient with dyspnea?With numerous applications, Fowler's position is used for patients who have difficulty breathing because, in this position, gravity pulls the diaphragm downward allowing greater chest and lung expansion.
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