REVISION : CVS EXAM

Revision , simplified -

CARDIOVASCULAR EXAMINATION:

1.Introduce and explain

2.Position at 45 degrees and shirt off

3.General inspection - dyspnoea,cyanosis,Marfan's etc

4.Hands - inspection, pulse, blood pressure

5.Face - eyes, mouth

6.Neck -JVP, carotid

7.Precordium - inspection

- palpate upper chest for pacemaker etc, then apex beat - count from 2nd intercoastal space to 5th,midclavicular line

- palpate left sternum for parasternal impulse

- palpate upper chest,palm facing left for thrills [palpable murmur]

8.Auscultation - use bell,mitral area,then use diaphragm at mitral area and axilla

- continue at tricuspid,aortic and pulmonary

- upper chest and carotid for radiation of aortic stenosis

9.Back - scars, deformity,sacral oedema

- percuss for pleural effusion and pleural eodema [LVF]

10.Lie down flat on 1 pillow

11.Palpate liver and spleen

hepatomegaly in RVF

splenomegaly in infective endocarditis

12.Ascitis in RVF

13.Lower limb - peripheral pulses [dorsalis pedis,posterior tibial]

- peripheral cyanosis + temp + hair etc

- ankle oedema [RVF]

- calf tenderness [DVT]