Physical Evaluation

Following a "performance," the standardized patients complete a physician evaluation form. Below is a sample physical evaluation form.

( ) Yes ( ) No Wash hands

( ) Yes ( ) No Note general appearance

( ) Yes ( ) No Pay attention to patient's comfort

( ) Yes ( ) No Inspect neck veins

( ) Yes ( ) No Palpate carotid pulse

( ) Yes ( ) No Auscultate carotid artery

( ) Yes ( ) No Inspect and examine chest with patient supine

( ) Yes ( ) No Feel for PMI below nipple

( ) Yes ( ) No Use both diaphragm and bell of stethoscope

( ) Yes ( ) No Listen to apex (mitral value)

( ) Yes ( ) No Listen to left lower sternal border (tricuspid valve)

( ) Yes ( ) No Listen to left second intercostal space (pulmonary valve)

( ) Yes ( ) No Listen to right second intercostal space (aortic valve)

( ) Yes ( ) No Listen to first and second heart sounds

( ) Yes ( ) No Listen for physiological split second sound (pulmonic area)

( ) Yes ( ) No Inspect skin

( ) Yes ( ) No Inspect nail beds

( ) Yes ( ) No Palpate peripheral pulses

( ) Yes ( ) No Palpate for pedal edema

( ) Yes ( ) No Place cuff on arm, tubing forward over brachial artery

( ) Yes ( ) No Support patient's arm so it is relaxed

( ) Yes ( ) No Measure patient BP

( ) Yes ( ) No Check radial pulse at least 15 seconds

( ) Yes ( ) No Check respiratory rate at least 15 seconds

( ) Yes ( ) No Stand on right side of patient

( ) Yes ( ) No Assess rate and rhythm of respiration

( ) Yes ( ) No Examine symmetry of chest excursion

( ) Yes ( ) No Percuss alternate sides of lung fields (bilaterally at 3 levels)

( ) Yes ( ) No Auscultate alternate sides of posterior lung fields (bilaterally at 3 levels)

( ) Yes ( ) No Auscultate alternate sides of anterior lung fields (bilaterally at 3 levels)

Overall, how satisfied were you with this student’s physical examination skills?

( ) extremely dissatisfied
( ) very dissatisfied
( ) dissatisfied
( ) satisfied
( ) very satisfied
( ) extremely satisfied