In a physical examination, medical examination, or clinical examination, a medical practitioner examines a patient for any possible medical signs or symptoms of a medical condition.
Physical examinations are performed in most health care encounters. It generally consists of a series of questions about the patient's medical history followed by an examination based on the reported symptoms. Together, the medical history and the physical examination help to determine a diagnosis and formulate the treatment plan. This data then becomes part of the medical record.
A physical examination may incorporate checking vital signs, including temperature examination, blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate.
The systematic examination generally starts at the head and finishes at the extremities and includes evaluation of general patient appearance and specific organ systems. After the main organ systems have been investigated by inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation, specific tests may follow. Specific tests may also be done when a particular disease is suspected.
Adapted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Internet. Accessed on February 25, 2020.