• The physician primarily works with the
physical examination instruments; however,
the medical assistant must become familiar
with their uses to assist the physician during
physical examinations.
• The medical assistant can also be
responsible for disinfecting and sanitizing
the instruments and preparing them for the
physician before the next physical
examination.
AUDIOSCOPE
Used to screen patients
for hearing loss. The
audioscope is placed in
the patient’s ear and
makes a series of tones
which the patient can
respond to.
EXAMINATION LIGHT
The medical assistant
must make sure that all
lights in the physical
examination room are
functioning properly
and directed
appropriately for the
physician to exam the
patient’s body.
LARYNGEAL MIRROR
Used to exam the larynx
and other areas of the
throat. The laryngeal
mirror reflects the inside
of the mouth and throat
for the physical
examination.
NASAL SPECULUM
Inserted into the nostril to
assist the physician with
the visual inspection of
the lining of the nose,
nasal membranes and
septum.
OTOSCOPE
Allows the physician to
view the ear canal and
tympanic membrane. It
has a magnifying lens,
light and cone-shaped
insert to examine the
inner ear.
OPHTHALMOSCOPE
Used to examine the
interior structures of the
eye. It has a light,
magnifying lens and
opening for the physician
to view the eye.
PENLIGHT
Provides additional light
for the physician to
examine a specific area
of the patient’s body. The
penlight is typically used
to examine the eyes,
nose and throat.
PERCUSSION HAMMER
Used to test neurologic
reflexes. The head of the
instrument is used to test
reflexes by striking the
tendons of the ankle,
knee, wrist and elbow.
SPHYGMOMANOMETER
Used to measure blood
pressure. It is composed
of an inflatable rubber
cuff, a bulb that inflates
and releases pressure
from the cuff and use of a
stethoscope to listen to
arterial blood flow in the
patient.
STETHOSCOPE
Used for listening to body
sounds including the
sounds of the heart,
lungs and intestines. It is
also used for taking
blood pressure.
THERMOMETER
Instrument used to
measure a patient’s body
temperature. The
thermometer can be
inserted in the mouth
under the tongue, under
the armpit or into the
rectum.
TUNING FORK
Used to test a patient’s
hearing. The physician
strikes the prongs
causing them to vibrate
and produce a humming
sound. The physician
may order additional
tests depending on the
results of this hearing
test.
Additional supplies are needed for a
general physical examination. They include
cotton balls, cotton-tipped applicators,
disposable needles, disposable syringes,
gauze, dressings and bandages, gloves,
paper tissues, specimen containers, and
tongue depressors.
COTTON BALLS
Used to stop bleeding
from minor punctures
after injections or while
drawing a patient’s blood.
COTTON TIPPED APPLICATOR
Used to collect or treat a
wound and to apply
topical medication to the
patient during a physical
examination.
DISPOSABLE NEEDLES
Used to inject medicine,
anesthetic or other fluids
during a physical
examination. Also used
to extract blood from the
patient for laboratory
testing.
DISPOSABLE SYRINGES
Added to a needle to
extract blood or inject
fluids during a physical
examination.
GAUZE, DRESSINGS, BANDAGES
Used to cover up open
wounds. Non-sterile pads
can be used to cushion,
clean or absorb areas
that are at less risk of
infection.
GLOVES
Worn by the medical
assistant and physician
to keep bodily fluids from
being absorbed into the
skin.
PAPER TOWEL
Helps keep exam chairs,
tables and other areas
hygienic. The paper
towel is replaced
between each
examination by the
medical assistant.
SPECIMEN CONTAINERS
Used to hold blood, urine
and other bodily fluids
during an examination for
later laboratory testing.
TONGUE DEPRESSOR
Used to depress the
tongue of a patient to
examine the mouth and
throat during a physical
examination.
DOPPLER
A hand-held ultrasound
transducer used to detect
the fetal heartbeat for
prenatal care.
SNELLEN EYE CHART
An eye chart that can be
used to measure visual
acuity.
TRANSILLUMINATOR
Used to visualize
fontanels and sinuses.
The passage of strong
light through a body
structure, to permit
inspection by an
observer on the opposite
side.
SKINFOLD CALIPER
Used to assess the
skinfold thickness, so
that a prediction of the
total amount of body fat
can be made.
GONIOMETER
An instrument that either
measures an angle or
allows an object to be
rotated to a precise
angular position. Used to
measure angles of joints.
WEIGHING SCALE
A device used to
measure weight or mass.
