Botulism: Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps

• General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further:
  • Inspection (viewing).
    • Skin, mucous membranes, and eyes [ptosis/pending of the upper eyelid].
    • Abdomen (abdomen)
      • Shape of the abdomen?
      • Skin color? Skin texture?
      • Efflorescences (skin changes)?
      • Pulsations? Bowel movements?
      • Visible vessels?
      • Scars? Hernias (fractures)?
  • Auscultation (listening) of the heart.
  • Palpation (palpation) of the abdomen (abdomen) (pressure pain?, knock pain?, cough pain?, defensive tension?, hernial orifices?, kidney bearing knock pain?)
• Neurological examination – including testing of reflexes, degree of strength.

Square brackets [ ] indicate possible pathological (pathological) physical findings.