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Breasts
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Inspection (performed with client in lying, sitting, or standing position)
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size: vary from convex to pendulous
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symmetry (the left breast is commonly larger than the other)
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skin: color, venous pattern, possibly a few hairs around areola
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alterations
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retraction
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dimpling
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lesions
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edema
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inflammation
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alterations with pregnancy and lactation
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enlargement of breasts
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soreness of nipples during lactation
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possible striae
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nipple and areola
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size
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color: ranges from pink to brown
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shape
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areola: round or oval
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nipples: everted
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symmetry: normally symmetrical
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direction: normally nipples point in same direction
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alterations
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discharge
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inverted nipples
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bleeding
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Palpation - breast
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lymph nodes - normal findings: not palpable
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breast tissue
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client in supine position with hand placed behind neck
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methods of examining breast tissue
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clockwise or counterclockwise circling breast from nipple outward
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back and forth with fingers moving up and down each breast
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consistency:
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varies widely from person to person
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normal findings: dense, firm and elastic
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alteration - fibrocystic disease of the breast
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geriatric alterations
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relaxed breasts
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may appear elongated or pendulous
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decrease in glandular tissue
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Abdomen
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History
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pain, bowel habits, dietary problems, weight change, difficulty swallowing, flatulence, belching, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, cramping
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changes in micturition including: change in amount and color of urine, irritation of the lower urinary tract, obstruction of the urinary tract, urinary incontinence, urinary tract pain
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Inspection
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landmarks
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xiphoid process: marks upper boundary of abdomen
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symphysis pubis: marks lower boundary
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abdomen divided into four quadrants: RUQ, RLQ, LUQ, LLQ (illustration )
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normal findings
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skin texture and color should be consistent with rest of body
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stria may be present
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umbilicus is normally flat or concave midway between xiphoid and symphysis pubis
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abdomen may be flat, concave or convex; all three are normal if there is symmetry
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you may note peristalsis movement or aortic pulse
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voiding: steady, straight stream with no pain or post void dribble
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Percussion
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normal findings: tympany over stomach and intestines; dullness over liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys and distended (>150cc) bladder
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liver border
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usually noted in the 5th, 6th or 7th intercostal space
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distance between upper and lower borders should range between six to 12 cm at right midclavicular line
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spleen
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left posterior midaxillary line: dullness at sixth to tenth rib
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left intercostal space in anterior axillary line: tympany
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Palpation
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normal findings: soft with no palpable masses, no tenderness or rigidity
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bladder noted as a bulge in abdomen when filled with more than 500cc of urine
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deep palpation may produce tenderness - liver, kidneys, spleen inguinal nodes generally not palpable
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Auscultation
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bowel motility - normal findings: audible in all quadrants
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vascular sounds - normal findings
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no vascular sounds over aorta or femoral arteries
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renal artery bruits can be heard
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Alterations
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guarding (muscles contract)
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pain
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Geriatric alterations
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increased fat deposits over abdominal area
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muscle tone more lax
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Female reproductive system
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History: sexually transmitted disease, menstrual history, obstetrical history, contraception (illustration )
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Inspection
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external genitalia - normal findings
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hair distribution: variable; usually inverted triangle starting at symphysis pubis
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skin of perineum smooth, clean, slightly darker than other skin
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labia majora: may be closed or gaping
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clitoris: about two cm in length and 0.5 cm in width
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urethral orifice: intact, pink without irritation
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vaginal orifice: ranges from thin, vertical slit to large orifice with moist tissue
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anus: moist and hairless: skin more darkly pigmented
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internal genitalia
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cervix - normal findings: pink; midline; usually about two to three cm in diameter; smooth, firm, rounded or oval; odorless, creamy or clear secretions
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vagina: pink throughout; clear or cloudy, odorless secretions; about ten to 15 cm in length
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Palpation
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ovaries may or may not be palpable; firm, slightly tender, oval, mobile; about four cm in diameter
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uterus: mobile; rounded; palpable at level of pelvis
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Skene's gland and Bartholin's gland - normal findings: nontender, no discharge
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Geriatric alterations
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labial folds flatten
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skin paler, shiny
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meatus usually more posterior
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cervix decreases in size; may appear paler
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scanty cervical discharge
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vagina shortens with age
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decreased vaginal secretions
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uterus diminishes in size; may not be palpable
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ovaries atrophy with age
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Male reproductive system
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History: sexual history, sexually transmitted disease, contraception, surgery, associated urinary problems
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Inspection
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external genitalia
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hair distribution: varies; hair extends from base of penis over symphysis pubis; coarse and curly
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penis shaft, corona, prepuce, glans
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urethral meatus is slit like opening positioned on ventral surface, millimeters from tip of glans; opening should be glistening and pink
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scrotum
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skin more darkly pigmented; more wrinkled; usually loose
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symmetry: left testicle is lower than right
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size: changes with temperature
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inguinal canal - normal finding: no bulging
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Palpation
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penis
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foreskin should retract easily
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small amount of thick white secretion between glans and foreskin is normal
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testicle: ovoid; ranges from two - four cm in diameter, smooth and rubbery; nontender
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inguinal canal
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normal finding: inguinal lymph nodes not palpable
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Geriatric alterations
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increased bogginess of prostate
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testes softer
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Rectum and anus
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inspection of perianal areas
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skin: smooth and uninterrupted
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anal tissues: normally moist and hairless
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digital palpation
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anal sphincter: note tone
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rectal walls: smooth and even
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prostate gland
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palpate through anterior rectal wall
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small walnut-sized, heart shaped structure
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ranges from 2.5 to 4 cm in diameter
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normal findings: firm, protrudes < one cm into rectum
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alterations
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femorrhoids (illustration )
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pain
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Musculoskeletal
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History: participation in sports, risk factors for osteoporosis, impact of current problem on activities of daily living
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Inspection
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gait - normal findings: client walks with arms swinging freely at sides; coordinated and smooth; rhythmic with push off and swing through
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posture and balance - normal findings
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upright stance with parallel alignment of hips and shoulders
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feet aligned; toes pointing straight ahead
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convex curve to thoracic spine
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concave curve to lumbar spine
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can stand still without swaying or tilting
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extremities
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normal findings: bilateral symmetry in length, circumference, alignment, position and number of skin folds
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Palpation
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all muscles, bones, joints
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normal findings: muscles firm, non-tender
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Range of motion - normal findings: able to move joints through required range of motion
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Muscle strength and symmetry - normal findings: arm on dominant side generally stronger
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Alterations
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Geriatric alterations
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stance less upright with head and neck forward
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lumbar curvature less pronounced
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height decreased
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gait slower to initiate and stop
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less knee and ankle lifts
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steps may be shorter and more rapid
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may need to hold onto furniture as age increases
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muscles atrophy with disuse
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weaker grip
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active range of motion may be slower and limited in one or more joints
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joints appear larger than surrounding tissue; may be stiff
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Neurological system
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History
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Mental status
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Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)
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Emotional status - normal findings: affect matches speech
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Level of consciousness (LOC) - normal findings
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alert
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responds appropriately to visual, auditory, tactile and painful stimuli
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able to carry out simple commands
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Sensory function - normal findings
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visual: recognizes objects
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auditory: identifies sounds
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tactile: identifies objects through blind touch; perceives pain, hot and cold and vibration; two-point discrimination
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olfactory: identifies familiar smells
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Speech and language - normal findings
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smooth flowing speech
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able to formulate words without difficulty
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varied inflection
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able to write letters and numbers to dictation
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vocabulary appropriate to educational level
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Intellectual - normal findings
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memory: immediate recall and remote recall
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oriented to person, place and time
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able to abstract
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demonstrates consistent insight and perception of self
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Reflexes - assessment and grading
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pediatric considerations
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Geriatric alterations in neuro status
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longer response time to sensory stimulation
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may resist new ideas or change
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thought patterns may become more concrete
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kinesthesia diminishes
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superficial and deep reflexes may be diminished or absent
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