Basics of examination

General examination

"Patient looks generally well, pink on air, no evidence of dyspnoea or tachypnoea and no obvious scars, deformity or other abnormality."

If your patient is completely normal then these are the things you say in order to get across the idea that they're generally unwell. The other things to look for are if there any obvious aids, particularly, oxygen, nebulisers or if their legs are in traction. Just think - is there anything obviously wrong with them?