PHYSICAL EXAM

Vital Signs: T,P,R,BP

If fever and rash, plan to report patient to your referral doctor. The doctor will probably need to report the disease to the state.

Appearance:

(1) Location: It may help to make a drawing to show where the skin problem is.
Example: skin problems in these areas.

• Number of lesions
• Size and shape
• Is it raised / flat / depressed?
• color, moisture.

(2) Other appearance
Feel the area:

• Is it tender to touch?
• What does it feel like (soft, firm, hard)?

Other exam, if needed:

• If a lump, is it movable or attached to something?
• Try to pick up or move skin over the lump.
• Try to move/slide lump over tissue that is underneath.
• If swollen area, check for pitting edema: press thumb firmly into skin for 1-2 seconds.

Feel for enlarged lymph nodes in the area (p. 385).

• If felt, note size, tenderness, and if moveable.