Miscellaneous
The 3 questions in general look of the patient
Do you know who I am?
Do you know where you are?
Do you know what time it is?
The 6 vital signs
- Heart rate (pulse rate) (\(60 - 100\) beat per minute)
- Blood pressure
- Respiratory rate (\(12-20\) breath per minute)
- Oxygen concentration (SpO₂) (\(\geq 95\%\) or 88%-92% if COPD)
- Body temperature (*\(36.5\leq x \leq37.2\))
- Pain score out of \(10\)
The usuals for palpation
- Mention that your hands are warm and clean (you can also rub your hands together to warm them, re-apply hygiene too)
- Ask about pain in the area you’re about to palpate, hold eye contact and begin
The 5F’s of abdominal distension
- Fetus (Pregnancy)
- Flatus (Any cause of bloating such as IBS..etc)
- Feces (Constipation)
- Fluid (Any cause such as ascites of chronic liver disease)
- Fat