The University of West Alabama





Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center

AH 323 Evaluation of Athletic Injuries I Laboratory
Throat, Chest, & Abdominal Injuries Assessment

 

Special Tests for Assessing Injuries to the Throat, Chest, & Abdomen

SKILL

ANATOMICAL
LOCATION

TESTING PROCEDURE

MATERIALS NEEDED

SPECIAL NOTES

MOUSE OVER PICTURE TO VIEW CLIP

Chest Auscultation Left/Right chest over the lungs  1)Place stethoscope firmly on chest and hold it steady
2)Instruct patient to breath normally at first, then repeat with a deep breath
Stethoscope Repeat procedure on patient's back, over the lungs; abnormalities should be noted  

Bowel Auscultation

Abdomen 1)Place stethoscope firmly on abdomen and hold steady
2)Listen for 15-20 seconds while patient breaths normally
Stethoscope Listen for abnormalities or absence of sounds  

Chest Percussion

Left/Right chest over the lungs Using your index, middle, and ring fingers, tap over lungs until sound is produced   Repeat procedure in various locations on chest and back over the lungs  
Abdominal Percussion Abdomen  1)Cup one hand and place it palm-side down on the abdomen
2)Use the opposite hand to tap on the cupped hand
3)Repeat procedure for entire abdomen
  Abnormal or diminished sounds should be noted  

Rebound Tenderness

Abdomen 1)Using your index and middle fingers, depress the abdomen 2-3 inches
2)Release quickly
3)Repeat procedure for entire abdomen
  Rigidity, guarding, or pain elicited is a positive sign for this test   

Inspiration/Expiration
Test

Both lungs Instruct patient to inspire & expire maximally   Test is positive if there is pain, guarding, or inability to maximally inspire  

Chest Compressions

Left and right rib cages 1)Using both hands, try to compress the rib cage towards the sternum
2)On one side at a time, place one hand on patient's chest and other hand on patient's back
3)Compress rib cage
4)Repeat for opposite side
  Test is positive is pain or guarding is elicited.

May be necessary to perform test with patient lying down or sitting.

 

Valsalva Test

Abdomen 1)Instruct patient to take in a full breath and hold
2)Patient should then bear down AS IF they were trying to move the bowels
  Test is positive if pain increases or there is a mass protrusion  

Heel Pound Test

Abdomen 1)Instrtuct patient to lie on his/her back on table
2)With one hand, grasp the patient's foot and lift leg approximately 4".  Athlete should be completely relaxed
3)With palm side of opposite hand, pound on patients' heel with a moderate force
  Pain will be felt in the abdominal area if an internal organ is injured.  

Iliopsoas Test

Knee/Hip 1)Have patient sit at end of table with legs hanging off of the end
2)Place one hand on the patients' knee and ask him/her to raise his/her leg against resistance
  Test is positive if raising the hip against resistance produces pain or muscle guarding  

Obturator Test

Hip 1)Instruct the patient to lie on his/her back on a table
2)Place your hand that is nearest the patient's head on the patient's knee and your hand that is nearest the patient's foot on the patient's heel
3)Lift the leg so that the thigh and lower leg form a 90° angle
4)Pull the knee towards your body with your left hand and push the foot away from your body with your right hand
5)Repeat the process in the opposite direction
  Test is positive if pain or muscle guarding is produced  
           

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 20, 2009

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