Anatomy
This location is the normal site of the point of maximal impulse.
What is the left 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line?
When obtaining a pain history, this OLD CARTS component asks whether pain spreads to another location.
What is radiation?
During thyroid examination, the patient is instructed to do this so the gland rises for easier palpation.
What is swallow?
Hard, fixed cervical lymph nodes raise concern for this process.
What is malignancy?
This cardiovascular risk-reduction counseling topic has one of the greatest impacts on long-term health outcomes.
What is smoking cessation?
This neck landmark is palpated just below the thyroid cartilage and serves as an important reference point for thyroid examination.
What is the cricoid cartilage?
During sensitive history-taking, this interviewing approach helps normalize difficult topics and reduce patient embarrassment.
What is using nonjudgmental language?
This patient position best facilitates assessment of jugular venous pressure.
What is 30–45 degrees upright?
A deviated uvula away from the affected side suggests dysfunction of this cranial nerve
What is cranial nerve X (vagus nerve)?
Patient education for peripheral arterial disease should emphasize smoking cessation and this important lifestyle intervention.
What is supervised exercise?
This salivary duct opening is located opposite the upper second molar and may be inspected for obstruction or inflammation.
What is Stensen’s duct?
his patient history question helps assess orthopnea severity in heart failure.
What is “How many pillows do you sleep on?”
This examination technique assesses transmission of vibrations through the chest wall while the patient speaks.
What is tactile fremitus?
Spoon-shaped nails associated with iron deficiency anemia are called this
What is koilonychia?
Patient education for prevention of oral cancer should strongly emphasize avoiding these two major risk factors.
What are tobacco and alcohol use?
The most common site of anterior epistaxis is this vascular plexus.
What is Kiesselbach’s plexus?
This interviewing technique involves repeating or paraphrasing the patient’s statement to demonstrate understanding and encourage further discussion.
What is reflection (or reflective listening)?
This bedside test compares ankle and brachial systolic pressures to assess for peripheral arterial disease.
What is the ankle-brachial index (ABI)?
This ophthalmoscopic finding indicates increased intracranial pressure.
What is papilledema?
The USPSTF recommends behavioral counseling interventions for adults whose BMI places them in this weight category.
What is obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²)?
During lung auscultation, this vertebral landmark marks the approximate level where the trachea bifurcates into the main bronchi.
What is the sternal angle/T4–T5 level?
Asking “What concerns you most about your symptoms?” helps identify this important patient-centered aspect of the interview.
What is the patient’s perspective or agenda?
When auscultating the heart, this part of the stethoscope is best for hearing low-pitched sounds like S3 and mitral stenosis murmurs.
What is the bell?
This extra heart sound in an older adult is commonly associated with heart failure.
What is S3?
This major risk factor should always be assessed when evaluating a patient with suspected skin cancer or melanoma.
What is excessive ultraviolet (sun) exposure?