Physical Examination
Physical Examination - Related Videos
14:18
The 4 M’s Framework: Case History and Physical Examination of Older Adults
0 Views •
2023
Source: Jennifer A. Ouellet and Jaideep Talwalkar; Yale School of Medicine To meet the needs of older adults, all health professionals should be well acquainted with the history and physical examination considerations unique to this population. Physical examination plays an important role in the older patient to detect physiologic changes of aging, risk factors, and signs of pathology. While most of the general principles of the standard examination for adults apply to older patients, there are...
05:21
General Approach to the Physical Exam
0 Views •
2023
Source: Jaideep S. Talwalkar, MD, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT The examination of the body is fundamental to the practice of medicine. Since the Roman Empire, physicians have described the connection between alterations in function of specific parts of the body and specific disease states and have sought to further scientific understanding to improve bedside diagnosis. However, in this modern age of increasing technology within medical diagnostics, it...
07:44
Ophthalmoscopic Examination
0 Views •
2023
Source: Richard Glickman-Simon, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, MA The simplest ophthalmoscopes consist of an aperture to look through, a diopter indicator, and a disc for selecting lenses. The ophthalmoscope is primarily used to examine the fundus, or the inner wall of the posterior eye, which consists of the choroid, retina, fovea, macula, optic disc, and retinal vessels (Figure 1). The spherical eyeball...
20:06
The Comprehensive Infant Examination
0 Views •
2023
Source: Heather Collette and Jaideep Talwalkar; Yale School of Medicine The newborn exam is important in establishing a baby's baseline health status as they enter the world. Newborn providers have the unique opportunity to evaluate a patient for the very first time. They are also tasked with identifying congenital anomalies that require early intervention to promote a long and healthy life for the child. Many newborn anomalies, such as heart defects, are noted on prenatal ultrasound. However,...
35:03
Mental Status Examination
0 Views •
2023
Source: Carmen Black, Matthew Goldenberg, and Jaideep Talwalkar; Yale School of Medicine The mental status exam is a clinical evaluation of emotional, perceptual, and cognitive functioning that spans both the fields of psychiatry and neurology. Developing skill in the psychiatric portions of the examination are important to describe salient aspects of the patient's mental state that may be observed during routine history and/or physical exam. Proficiency in the cognitive portions of this...
FAQs
Physical Examination gains value from combining complementary observations rather than relying on one maneuver. Vital signs provide functional measurements, while inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation examine visible features, texture, responses, and sounds. Interpreting these findings together helps clinicians recognize patterns, narrow diagnostic possibilities, and judge whether a finding warrants further evaluation.
Side-to-side comparison and reference to expected patterns provide context for deciding whether an observation is unusual. A difference between corresponding areas may be more informative than an isolated finding, while comparison with normal expectations can help identify possible disease or injury. This reasoning supports more focused diagnostic possibilities instead of treating every variation as abnormal.
The combination of observed signs can help clinicians determine how urgently a patient requires additional attention. Findings may narrow the likely explanations for a problem, indicate that laboratory testing or imaging is needed, or support an immediate treatment decision. Thus, the examination contributes not only to identifying possible disease or injury but also to prioritizing the next clinical action.
A structured assessment commonly begins with vital signs and observation, followed by hands-on techniques selected to evaluate body structures and functions. Inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation contribute different types of information, and clinicians may compare findings between sides or with expected patterns. The sequence creates an organized record of findings that supports bedside reasoning and follow-up decisions.
Additional testing or treatment is considered when the examination produces findings that require clarification, confirmation, or prompt action. Clinicians use the collected signs to narrow diagnostic possibilities and decide whether laboratory tests or imaging could provide needed information. In other cases, the pattern of findings may be sufficient to guide a treatment decision or determine that monitoring is appropriate.
Repeated examinations allow clinicians to track progression, response to therapy, and changes in a patient’s condition. Comparing current findings with earlier assessments can show whether signs are improving, worsening, or remaining stable. This time-based information adds context to individual observations and can influence subsequent diagnostic evaluation, treatment decisions, or the urgency of care.