Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Ventricular fibrillation physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Patients with ventricular fibrillation usually appear unconscious. Physical examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually remarkable for the loss of consciousness, and pulse.
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
Physical examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually remarkable for the tachycardia or absence of pulse, and low level of consciousness.[1]
Appearance of the Patient
- Patients with ventricular fibrillation usually appear unconscious.
Vital Signs
- Tachycardia with regular/irregular pulse may be present at the onset of ventricular fibrillation.
Skin
- Skin examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually normal.
HEENT
- HEENT examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually normal.
Neck
- Neck examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually normal.
- Jugular venous distension may be seen if the ventricular fibrillation occurs in the setting of heart failure.
Lungs
- Pulmonary examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually normal.
Heart
- Cardiovascular examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation depends on the presence of structural heart disease, but it may be normal.
Abdomen
- Abdominal examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually normal.
Back
- Back examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually normal.
Genitourinary
- Genitourinary examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually normal.
Neuromuscular
- Neuromuscular examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually normal.
Extremities
- Extremities examination of patients with ventricular fibrillation is usually normal.
- Pitting edema of the lower extremities may be seen if ventricular fibrillation occurs in the context of heart failure.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sahar Memar Montazerin, M.D.[2]