No patient with bowel disturbance has been properly examined until the stool has been inspected. The white surface of a bed-pan makes an ideal background for the detection of blood, pus and mucus.
Naked Eye Examination: The following points are noted:
· Amount
· Colour
· Odour
· Form and consistency
· Abnormal ingredients
Chemical Examination: Tests for altered blood is done.
Microscopic Examination: This examination is done to look for ova or cyst of the different worms that infest the intestines.
Examination of Blood
Routine examinations carried out on blood are:
· Haemoglobin (Hb)
· Red blood cell count (RBC)
· White blood cell count (WBC)
· Differential white blood cell count (DLC)
· Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Other investigations are:
· Platelet count
· Bleeding time
· Clotting time
· Blood group
Examination of the Sputum
Sputum in patients may be purulent, containing pus or blood in it. It may be foul smelling.
Microscopic Examination: The principal value of microscopic examination of the sputum is in the detection of bacteria and recognition of cancer cells in cases of cancer of the lungs. Skill is required to differentiate cancer cells from the epithelium and other cellular debris.