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E Q U I P M E N T U S E

Cotton balls or wisps Test the sense of touchCotton-tipped applicators Obtain specimens

Culture media Obtain cultures of body fluids and drainage

Dental mirror Visualize mouth and throat structures

Doppler ultrasonic stethoscope Obtain readings of blood pressure, pulse, and fetal heart rate

Flashlight Provide a direct source of light to view parts of the body

Gauze squares Obtain specimens; collect drainage

Gloves Protect the nurse and client from contamination

Goggles Protect the nurses eyes from contamination by body fluidsLubricant Provide lubrication for vaginal or rectal examinations

Nasal speculum Dilate nares for inspection of the nose

Ophthalmoscope Inspect the interior structures of the eye

Otoscope Inspect the tympanic membrane and external ear canal

Penlight Provide a direct light source and test pupillary reaction

Reflex hammer Test deep tendon reflexes

Ruler, marked in centimeters Measure organs, masses, growths, and lesions

Skin-marking pen Outline masses or enlarged organsSlides Make smears of body fluids or drainage

Specimen containers Collect specimens of body fluids, drainage, or tissue

Sphygmomanometer Measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure

Sterile safety pin Test for sensory stimulation

Stethoscope Auscultate body sounds

Tape measure, flexible, marked Measure the circumference of the head, abdomen, and extremitiesin centimeters

Test tubes Collect specimensThermometer Measure body temperature

Tongue blade Depress tongue during assessment of the mouth and throat

Tuning fork Test auditory function and vibratory sensation

Vaginal speculum Dilate the vaginal canal for inspection of the cervix

Vision chart Test near and far vision

Equipment Used During the Physical AssessmentTable 6.1

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S P E C I A L EQ U I P M E N T U S E /D E S CR I P T I ON

Measures the degree of joint flexion and extension. Consists of two straight arms of clear plastic usuallymarked in both inches and centimeters. The arms intersect and can be angled and rotated around aprotractor marked with degrees. The nurse places the center of the protractor over a joint and aligns thestraight arms with the extremity. The degree of flexion or extension is indicated on the protractor.

Measures the thickness of subcutaneous tissue. The nurse grasps a fold of skin, usually on the upper arm,waist,or thigh, keeping the sides of the skin parallel. The edges of the caliper are placed at the base of thefold and the calipers tightened until they grasp the fold without compressing it.

Detects blood, fluid, or masses in body cavities. Instruments manufactured for transillumination are available,or a flashlight with a rubber adapter may be used. In either case, the light beam produced is strong butnarrow. When directed through a body cavity, the beam produces a red glow that reveals the presence ofair or fluid.

Detects fungal infections of the skin. The Woods lamp produces a black light,which the nurse shines on theskin in a darkened room. If a fungal infection is present, a characteristic yellow-green fluorescence appearson the skin surface.

Equipment Used During the Physical Assessment (continued)Table 6.1

Skinfold calipers

Transilluminator

Woods lamp

Goniometer

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