Equipment

• Gloves,
• Gown
• Drape
• Lubricant
• Speculum for the vaginal exam
• Light source
• Cytology collection kit (if completing pap smear)

Inspection

• Inspect the mons pubis, labia majora and minora for redness, swelling, lesions
• Inspect perineum for hair distribution
• Using your dominant gloved hand, gently separate the labia and urethral meatus for developmental abnormalities, discharge, lesions, warts, and abscess
• Inspect the clitoris and vestibule for size, colour, lesions, discoloration and masses
• Inspect the perineum for swelling, ulcers, warts or colour changes
• Inspect the urethral opening for position
• Inspect the vaginal opening for protrusions, discharge, inflammation

Palpation

• Palpate the Bartholin glands for tenderness, enlargement, and discharge
• Bimanual exam

Video

Documenting Assessment Findings

The external genitalia or vulva was normally developed with no external lesions or rashes; tissues were pink and moist. The vagina and cervix show no lesions, inflammation, discharge, or tenderness. There was no noted pelvic prolapse with strong muscle support on the client’s contraction of the vaginal walls. Cervical os sat midline, no masses or tenderness noted to the Fornices, no adnexal tenderness present on a bi-manual exam, no abnormal or strong vaginal odors noted; rectovaginal exam not indicated.