What are some tools used by pediatricians?

Answer 1

All doctors use their senses of sight, smell, and touch to assess their patients. They also use passive and active listening skills; they listen to what is said by the patient or guardian, and the doctor also asks questions. They palpate (a form of touch) to assess the abdomen and to feel for structural abnormalities in the body.

Like doctors treating patients of all ages, a pediatrician uses a stethoscope, otoscope, and tongue depressor to check the ears, nose, throat, and to listen to (auscultate) breath sounds, heart sounds, and bowel sounds. In addition, the physician's nurse or assistant weighs the infant, toddler, or child, and also records height (length in infants under 1 year). A measuring tape is used to measure infant's head circumference to assess normal or abnormal brain growth.

Finally, all doctors use observation, techniques of assessment, and clinical expertise in determining whether a patient shows health or symptoms of illness or disease.