Paleness: Examination

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

  • General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; furthermore:
    • Inspection (viewing).
      • Skin, mucous membranes and sclerae (white part of the eye).
      • Oral cavity
      • Pharynx (throat)
      • 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.
    • Examination of the lungs (due topossible secondary diseases).
      • Auscultation of the lungs
    • Examination of the abdomen (abdomen)
      • Auscultation (listening) of the abdomen [vascular or stenotic sounds?, bowel sounds?]
      • Percussion (tapping) of the abdomen.
      • Palpation (palpation) of the abdomen (abdomen) (pressure pain?, knock pain?, cough pain?, defensive tension?, hernial orifices?, kidney bearing knock pain?)
  • Health check

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