Clinical Examination Skills

Phil Jevon is the Clinical Skills Lead/ Resuscitation Office at The Manor Hospital, Walsall. He runs and directs the Resuscitation Council (UK) ALS, ILS, EPLS Courses and still works regularly in the clinical area. A key part of his role is to provide simulation training for medical students on SIMMAN in clinical examination skills – he has recently been awarded honorary Clinical lecturer in recognition of this work. A Consultant Physician will be co-authoring the book. He has over 30 years experience at Consultant level.

Chapter 1- Overview of taking a history and clinical examination. Chapter objectives.

Taking a history e.g. medical, family, drugs, social etc.

Consent issues.

Clinical examination.

Documentation.

Chapter summary.

Chapter 2- Symptoms of diseases.

Chapter objectives.

Breathlessness.

Chest pain.

Dizziness.

Altered conscious level.

Constipation/diarrhoea.

Jaundice.

Nausea/vomiting.

Chapter 3- Examination of the Cardiovascular system.

Chapter objectives.

History.

Peripheral vascular assessment.

Pulses, peripheral/central.

Blood pressure.

JVP.

Palpation of the precordium.

Auscultation of the heart.

Chapter 4- Examination of the respiratory system.

Chapter objectives.

Respiratory history.

Peripheral assessment of respiratory disease.

Inspection/palpation/percussion/auscultation.

.

Chapter 5- Examination of the gastrointestinal system.

Chapter objectives.

GI history.

Peripheral assessment of GI disease.

Inspection/palpation/percussion/auscultation of abdomen.

Digital examination of the rectum.

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Chapter 6- Examination of the neurological system.

Chapter objectives.

Neurological history.

The unconscious patient.

Assessment of conscious level.

Examination of cortical function & cranial nerves.

Peripheral assessment of neurological function Chapter 7- Examination of the skeletal system.

Chapter objectives.

Skeletal history.

Examination of hands, shoulders, hips, knees & spine