OSCE examination guides

Written step-by-step guides for OSCE examinations. Open a station for the steps and signs, and practise related topics with free questions on SimpleMed+.

What is an OSCE exam?

An OSCE, or Objective Structured Clinical Examination, is a practical exam in which you move through a series of stations. At each station you carry out one task, such as examining a body system, measuring blood pressure or taking blood. Each guide below gives the steps in order, what to look for and the reasoning behind each sign.

Practise with OSCE questions

Test what you have learned from the guides with free questions in the OSCE question bank on SimpleMed+.

OSCE Index Conditions

 
Article: A list of the core conditions required for OSCE examinations.
 
 

Cardiovascular System OSCE Examination

 
Article: Full cardiovascular examination with a complete explanation of the key signs and findings.
 
 

Respiratory System OSCE Examination

 
Article: Examine the respiratory system and interpret the key signs of lung disease.
 
 

Abdominal OSCE Examination

 
Article: Perform a full abdominal examination and recognise signs of GI and liver disease.
 
 

Peripheral Vascular OSCE Examination

 
Article: Assess the arterial supply of the limbs and detect peripheral arterial disease.
 
 

Varicose Vein OSCE Examination

 
Article: Examine the venous system of the legs and assess varicose veins.
 
 

DVT OSCE Examination

 
Article: Focused examination of a swollen leg for deep vein thrombosis.
 
 

Rectal PR OSCE Examination

 
Article: Perform a digital rectal examination safely and systematically.
 
 

Stoma OSCE Examination

 
Article: Examine and characterise a stoma and recognise its complications.
 
 

Hernia OSCE Examination

 
Article: Examine the groin and abdominal wall for hernias.
 
 

Upper Limb Neurological OSCE Examination

 
Article: Neurological examination of the arms: tone, power, reflexes, sensation and coordination.
 
 

Lower Limb Neurological OSCE Examination

 
Article: Neurological examination of the legs, including gait and coordination.
 
 

Cranial Nerve OSCE Examination

 
Article: Systematically assess the twelve cranial nerves.
 
 

Cerebellar OSCE Examination

 
Article: Assess cerebellar function and localise cerebellar signs.
 
 

GALS OSCE Examination

 
Article: The Gait, Arms, Legs and Spine musculoskeletal screen.
 
 

Shoulder Examination OSCE

 
Article: Musculoskeletal examination of the shoulder.
 
 

Elbow OSCE Examination

 
Article: Musculoskeletal examination of the elbow.
 
 

Hand Examination OSCE

 
Article: Examine the hand and wrist and identify systemic and joint pathology.
 
 

Hip OSCE Examination

 
Article: Musculoskeletal examination of the hip.
 
 

Knee OSCE Examination

 
Article: Musculoskeletal examination of the knee.
 
 

Ankle Foot OSCE Examination

 
Article: Musculoskeletal examination of the ankle and foot.
 
 

Spine OSCE Examination

 
Article: Examine the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine.
 
 

Thyroid OSCE Examination

 
Article: Examine the thyroid gland and assess thyroid status.
 
 

Diabetic Foot OSCE Examination

 
Article: Assess the diabetic foot for neuropathy and vascular disease.
 
 

Cushings Syndrome OSCE Examination

 
Article: Recognise the clinical features of Cushing's syndrome.
 
 

Acromegaly OSCE Examination

 
Article: Recognise the clinical features of acromegaly.
 
 

Ear Otoscopy OSCE Examination

 
Article: Examine the ear, perform otoscopy and assess hearing.
 
 

Nasal OSCE Examination

 
Article: Examine the nose and nasal cavity.
 
 

Eye Vision OSCE Examination

 
Article: Examine the eyes and assess vision.
 
 

Fundoscopy OSCE Examination

 
Article: Perform fundoscopy and recognise retinal signs.
 
 

Visual Acuity OSCE Assessment

 
Article: Measure visual acuity using a Snellen chart.
 
 

Anterior Segment OSCE Examination

 
Article: Examine the anterior segment of the eye.
 
 

Pigmented Skin Lesion OSCE Examination

 
Article: Assess a pigmented skin lesion for features of melanoma.
 
 

Non Pigmented Skin Lesion OSCE Examination

 
Article: Describe and assess a rash or non-pigmented skin lesion.
 
 

Breast OSCE Examination

 
Article: Examine the breast and axilla.
 
 

Testicular OSCE Examination

 
Article: Examine the testes and scrotum.
 
 

Neck Lump OSCE Examination

 
Article: Examine and characterise a neck lump.
 
 

Lymphoreticular OSCE Examination

 
Article: Examine the lymphoreticular system for lymphadenopathy and organomegaly.
 
 

Venepuncture OSCE

 
Article: Perform venepuncture and take blood cultures correctly.
 
 

Blood Pressure OSCE

 
Article: Measure blood pressure accurately with a manual cuff.
 
 

OSCE exam questions answered

What is an OSCE exam?

An OSCE, or Objective Structured Clinical Examination, is a practical exam made up of stations. At each station you do one clinical task, for example examining a body system, measuring blood pressure or taking blood.

What happens at the end of an OSCE station?

Most of the guides end the same way: wash your hands, then summarise your findings.

How should I practise for an OSCE?

Work through a guide one step at a time, in order. Use the reasoning given for each sign so that you can explain what you find, then finish by summarising your findings, as the guides do.

Does SimpleMed have OSCE questions?

Yes. SimpleMed+ has OSCE quizzes with free questions in its OSCE question bank.