A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps:
- General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; furthermore:
- Inspection (viewing).
- Skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae (white part of the eye) [hemorrhages (bleeding)].
- Abdomen (abdomen)
- Shape of the abdomen?
- Skin color? Skin texture?
- Efflorescences (skin changes)?
- Pulsations? Bowel movements?
- Visible vessels?
- Scars? Hernias (fractures)?
- Inspection and palpation (palpation) of the lymph node stations (cervical, axillary, supraclavicular, inguinal).
- Inspection and palpation of the spine
- Auscultation (listening) of the heart
- Auscultation of the lungs
- Palpation of the abdomen (abdomen) (tenderness?, knocking pain?, coughing pain?, defensive tension?, hernial orifices?, kidney bearing knocking pain?)
- Inspection of the genital and anal region.
- Inspection (viewing).
- If necessary, neurological examination [due tosymptoms:
- Disorientation
- Dizziness
- Cramps
- Apathy
- Paralysis
- Seizures
- Neurogenic shock]
Square brackets [ ] indicate possible pathological (pathological) physical findings.
