IPPA

IPPA
Synonyms	inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation

IPPA is a physical examination with four key steps: inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.^[1]

Although the steps are consistent across organ systems, the order may vary. Notably, for the abdominal exam, auscultation is performed before palpation,^[2] because the act of palpation could change what was auscultated.

References

^ Kirby RL (March 1981). "Inspection-palpation-percussion-auscultation and an outcome-oriented alternative approach to the musculoskeletal examination". Med Educ. 15 (2): 106–9. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2923.1981.tb02406.x. PMID 7207269. S2CID 8264727.
^ Mark Kauffman; Michele M. Roth-Kauffman (6 July 2006). History and physical examination workbook: a common sense approach. Jones & Bartlett Learning. pp. 94–. ISBN 978-0-7637-4340-6. Retrieved 6 March 2011.

Medical examination and history taking

Medical history

Chief complaint
History of the present illness
Systems review
Nursing assessment
Allergies
- Medications
Past medical history
Family history
Social history
Psychiatric history
Progress notes
Mnemonics
- SAMPLE
- OPQRST
- SOAP
- COASTMAP

Physical examination

General/IPPA	Inspection Auscultation Palpation Percussion
Vital signs	Temperature Heart rate Blood pressure Respiratory rate
HEENT	Eye examination Ophthalmoscopy Swinging light test Hearing Weber Rinne
Respiratory	Respiratory sounds
Cardiovascular	Cardiac examination Peripheral vascular examination Heart sounds Other Abdominojugular test Ankle–brachial pressure index
Abdominal	Liver span Rectal examination Bowel sounds
Musculoskeletal	Knee examination Hip examination Shoulder examination Elbow examination GALS screen
Neurological	Mental status Mini–mental state examination Cranial nerve examination Upper limb neurological examination
Neonatal	Apgar score Ballard Maturational Assessment
Gynecological	Well-woman examination Pap test Breast examination
Sports	Athletic heart syndrome Sudden cardiac death RED-S