Instruments used in general medicine

Instruments used in general medicine and clinics (i.e. internal medicine and pediatrics) are as follows:[1][2]

Instrument list

Instrument Uses
Stethoscopes used to hear sounds from movements within the body, like heart beats, intestinal movement, breath sounds, etc.
Reflex testing hammer (padded) to test motor reflexs of the body
Sphygmomanometer (Blood pressure meter) to record the patient's blood pressure
A thin beam electric torch to see into the eye, body's natural orifices, etc., and to test for pupillary light reflex, etc.
A watch / stopwatch used in recording rates like heart rate, respiratory rate, etc.; for certain tests of hearing
A measuring tape for size measurements
Tongue Depressor for use in oral examination
A weighing machine to record the weight
Tuning forks to test for deafness and to categorize it
Kidney dish as a tray for instruments, gauze, tissue, etc.
Bedpan for patients who are unconscious or too weak to even sit up of walk to the toilet to defecate
Thermometer to record the body temperature
Gas cylinders supply of oxygen, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, etc.
Oxygen mask or tubes delivering gases up to the nostrils to assist in oxygen intake or to administer aerosolized or gaseous drugs
Vaporizer to produce vapors
Instrument sterilizers Used to sterilize instruments in absence of an autoclave
Dressing drums storage of gowns, cotton, linen, etc.
Nebulizer to produce aerosols of drugs to be administered by respiratory route
Positive pressure ventilator to assist or carry out the mechanical act of inspiration and expiration so that the patient who can not respire on his / her own may respire; it is a component of "life support"
Cardioverter / Defibrillator to correct arrhythmias of the heart or to start up a heart that is not beating
Dialyser to remove toxic materials from the blood that are generally removed by the kidneys; used in case of renal failure
Rubber catheter to drain and collect urine directly from the bladder (primary use); also to act as a makeshift oxygen tube, etc.
Syringe of different sizes and needles for injections and aspiration of blood or fluid from the body
Canula a kind of a needle that is used to create a permanent pathway to a vein (or artery) for the purpose of repeated injections or infusion of intravenous fluids
Transfusion sets used to transfuse blood and blood products
Sucker for sucking up blood or secretions)
Gastrointestinal tubes[3]
•Nasogastric tube used for nasogastric suction (or at times introduction of food or drugs). vide link
•Stomach tube A tool used for feeding.
•Levin's tube a plastic catheter introduced through the nose and used in gastric intubation for gastric decompression or gavage feeding.
•Kehr's "T" tube urinary
•Infant feeding tube -do-; for infants
Spectacles for protection of the eyes or for refractive error correction
Enema set to passively evacuate the rectum of faeces; vide link
Bandage to cover and protect certain areas of the body such as recent injury
Pipettes or droppers to measure out doses of liquid, specially in children
Graduated spoons to measure out doses of liquids
Ophthalmoscope to look at the retina
Otoscope to look into the external ear cavity
Endoscope to look inside the oesophagus, stomach, upper intestines, bile duct, larynx, trachea, bronchi-through the mouth; anal canal, rectum, colon- through anus; used mainly in Surgery or by surgical consultants
Proctoscope to look inside anal canal and lower part of the rectum
Linen for dressing and draping
Beds, bottle stands, etc.
Gauze, cotton, antiseptics, gloves etc.
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

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References

  1. ↑ Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 17th ed. # ISBN 0-07-020291-5 # ISBN 978-0-07-020291-7
  2. ↑ Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine: With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access (Paperback) # ISBN 0-443-10057-8 # ISBN 978-0-443-10057-4
  3. ↑ http://www.mediplusindia.com/gastroenterology.htm www.mediplusindia.com