This post outlines the steps in the undergraduate examination of the Cardiovascular System.
Courtesy and permission
The following are requisite steps in this examination. Remember to always ask for permission before undergoing any examination. Be courteous with minimal discomfort to the patient and guardian.
General Examination
- Respiratory distress
- Nutrition (Generally)
- Swelling or Oedema
- Dysmorphic features
- Presence of medical devices e.g. Nasal prongs
General Examination - CVS
Hand, Arm & Leg
- Pallor
- Peripheral cyanosis
- Capillary refill
- Clubbing
- Warmth
- Pulse
- Rate
- Volume
- Character
- Radio-Radial & Radio-Femoral delay
- Collapsing/Bounding
- Blood pressure
Head & Neck
- Pallor
- Central cyanosis
- Jaundice
- Facial oedema
- Neck pulsations
- JVP (Older children)
Precordium
Inspection
- Visible pulsations
- chest wall deformities
- Scars and scarifications
- Chest shape
Palpation
- Thrill
- Apex beat location
- Heave
- Heart sounds
Auscultation
- Heart sounds - S1, S2
- Additional heart sounds - S3, S4
- Murmur
- Area loudest
- Systolic or diastolic
- Radiation
- Grade
Others
- Hepatomegaly
- Edema extent - Pedal, sacral, facial
- Auscultation of lung bases
Murmurs
Warning: package 'tibble' was built under R version 4.5.1
Warning: package 'purrr' was built under R version 4.5.1