Diagnostic Equipment

• Gloves are used for protection during any part of the physical examination, especially for body fluids, open wounds, excreta, and contaminated items

  
• A stethoscope is used for auscultation of body sounds or lack thereof
• Diagnostic equipment for physical assessment includes:

  • Sphygmomanometer for measuring blood pressure (systolic and diastolic)
  • Thermometers for measuring body temperature orally, axillary, otic, and rectally
  • Watch with a swift second hand for timing heart, pulse, respiratory rates, and the like
• Skinfold calipers are used for measuring skinfold thickness of subcutaneous tissue
• A flexible tape measure is used for measuring circumferences like mid-arm, abdominal girth, and fundic height
• A platform scale with a height attachment is used for measuring height and weight, deriving factors in calculating body mass index (BMI)
• A ruler with centimeter markings is used for measuring the size of skin lesions and occasionally surgical specimens
• A magnifying glass is used for enlarging the visibility of lesions
• A small cup of water is used for testing the swallow reflex during examination of the head and neck or thyroid gland
• A penlight is used for testing pupillary constriction, indicating brain function
• An otoscope is used for viewing the ear canal and the tympanic membrane
• An ophthalmoscope is used for viewing the red-orange reflex and examination of the retina
• A cover card is used for testing strabismus
• A Rosenbaum pocket screener is used for testing near vision
• A tuning fork is used for comparison of air and bone conduction
• A tongue depressor is used for depressing the tongue, making it possible to view the mouth and throat, and helps transilluminate the sinus
• A piece of small gauze is used for grasping the tongue in examining the oral cavity
• Pillows are used for placing under the knees and head to promote relaxation of the abdominal muscles
• A vaginal speculum is used for inspection of the cervix through the vaginal canal
• Lubricant is used for reducing friction, pressure, or pain during some examinations like rectal and vaginal
• A cotton-tipped applicator is used for obtaining a sample of and scraping endocervical and vaginal tissue
• A specimen container is used for collecting and maintaining the integrity and sterility of specimens
• A reflex hammer is used for testing deep tendon reflexes and sensation