Examination of the ears, nose, and throat provides information about their integrity and function, as well as the associated respiratory and digestive tracts. The special senses of smell, hearing, equilibrium, and taste are also associated with the ears, nose, and…
The comprehensive eye examination involves a series of tests evaluating vision, as well as the general health of the eyes, and includes screening for ophthalmologic diseases or ocular manifestation of systemic diseases. Anatomy and Physiology The eye is the sensory…
The head provides the bony housing and protective cover for the brain, including the organs that provide senses of vision, hearing, smell, and taste. The neck provides stability and support for the head and holds vital vessels, the trachea, esophagus,…
The lymphatic system is examined region by region during the examination of other body systems (i.e., head and neck, breast and axillary, genitalia, and extremities) and by palpating the spleen. Sometimes you may perform a comprehensive lymphatic examination, exploring all…
Skin provides an elastic, self-regenerating, protective covering for the body. The skin and its appendages are an important means by which we are viewed in the world and physical appearances are often critical to the well-being of patients. Examination of…
An individual’s weight and body composition (proportion of fat and fat distribution) offer information about health status and may provide a clue to the presence of disease when out of balance. Nutrition is considered the science of food as it…
The mental status portion of the neurologic examination is a complex process. Mental status is the total expression of a person’s emotional responses, mood, cognitive functioning (ability to think, reason, and make judgments), and personality. A major focus of the…
The vital signs include assessment of temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. They are considered the baseline indicators of a patient’s health status. Pain assessment is considered the fifth vital sign. Pain is a subjective unpleasant symptom of many conditions…
After performing the history and physical examination, the healthcare clinician must organize, synthesize, and record the data along with the problems identified and the rationale for the diagnostic evaluation and plan of care. This cognitive effort goes well beyond simply…
Clinical reasoning is the process by which the information gathered from the history and physical examination is merged with clinical knowledge, experience, and the current best evidence to formulate the next steps in patient care—development of the diagnostic and management…