Physical exam
Physical exam
A Physical exam (pronounced: /ˈfɪzɪkəl ɪgˈzæm/), also known as a physical examination or clinical examination, is a process in which a healthcare professional investigates the body of a patient for signs of disease. It generally follows a set structure including: history taking, a 'head-to-toe' examination of the patient's body, and sometimes, further examination or testing.
Etymology
The term "Physical exam" is derived from the Greek words "physikos" meaning "natural" and "examen" meaning "examination". It refers to the examination of the natural state of the body.
History taking
History taking (pronounced: /ˈhɪstəri teɪkɪŋ/) is the first step in a physical exam. It involves a detailed interview about the patient's medical history, current symptoms, and lifestyle. This information helps the healthcare professional to understand the context of the patient's health condition.
Head-to-toe examination
The head-to-toe examination (pronounced: /hɛd tuː toʊ ɪgˈzæmɪneɪʃən/) is a systematic method of examining the patient's body. It starts from the head and progresses to the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and finally the extremities. Each body part is examined for signs of disease or abnormality.
Further examination or testing
Depending on the findings of the initial examination, further examination or testing (pronounced: /ɪgˈzæmɪneɪʃən ɔːr ˈtɛstɪŋ/) may be required. This could include laboratory tests, imaging studies, or specialist referrals.
Related terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Physical exam
- Wikipedia's article - Physical exam
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