Advanced Physical Diagnosis Online Companion

The Doctor's Visit (1657) - Frans Van Mieris (http://arthistorynewsreport.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-art-of-frans-van-mieris.html)

The ability to accurately measure vital signs is an essential skills that every physician should possess.  Though this part of the physical exam is often overlooked by physicians who have come to rely on information reported from support staff through the EMR, much can be gained from taking the minimal time that is required to assess vitals for one's self. 

Foir example, starting the exam with the pal[ation of the radial pulse allows the phydsician to estimate heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and the presence or absence of cardiac arrhythmias all in less than a minute.  

In this section you will find videos that will help improve your technique in measuring vital signs as well as articles that will deepen your understanding of these techniques.

Click to Access the Following PDFs:

1: Ankle-brachial index measured by palpation for the diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease

2: Can we measure the ankle-brachial index using only a stethoscope? A pilot study

Click to Access the Following PDFs:

1: Association of the auscultatory gap with vascular disease in hypertensive patients

2: Improving the measurement of blood pressure: is it time for regulated standards?

3: Introduction of the blood pressure cuff into U.S. medical practice: technology and skilled practice

4: Osler's maneuver: absence of usefulness for the detection of pseudohypertension in an elderly population

5: Rethinking "abnormal" blood pressure: what is the value?

Bates' Physical Examination Videos Volume 5:

General Survey and Vital Signs 

Stanford Medicine 25: Ankle-Brachial Index

Stanford Medicine 25: Pulsus Paradoxus