clinical examination
Doctor's physical evaluation
A clinical examination is the systematic physical assessment of a patient by a healthcare provider.
It typically includes inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation—looking, touching, tapping, and listening to the body.
The clinical examination complements laboratory tests and imaging: The clinical examination revealed an enlarged spleen.
Also called physical examination or simply a physical.
Medical listening examination
- palpationMedical examination by touch
- percussionSound through impact
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- vital signsMeasurable life indicators
blood pressure · pulse · temperature · range of motion · otoscopy · neurological exam · breast exam · pelvic exam
Medical listening instrument
- sphygmomanometerArterial pressure measuring instrument
- otoscopeEar canal inspection instrument
- ophthalmoscopeDevice for viewing retinas
- reflex hammerDiagnostic percussion device
thermometer · tongue depressor · speculum · tuning fork · penlight · pulse oximeter · blood pressure cuff · scale
Formal evaluation of worth
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- differentialRelative difference between things
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- prognosisPredicted disease course
screening · history · anamnesis · symptoms · signs · pathology · laboratory · imaging
Following ordered procedures
- thoroughComplete in every detail
- methodicalOrganized and deliberate
- comprehensiveIncluding all elements
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
careful · rigorous · detailed · step-by-step · head-to-toe · focused · targeted · serial
Private space for appointments
- privacy curtainFabric partition for concealment
- gownLong formal garment
- glovesHand coverings with fingers
- medical chartPatient's documented history
waiting room · triage area · bedside · emergency department · ward round · house call · telehealth · intake form
auscultation
Medical listening examination
- palpationMedical examination by touch
- percussionSound through impact
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
vital signs · blood pressure · pulse · temperature · range of motion · otoscopy · neurological exam · breast exam · pelvic exam
stethoscope
Medical listening instrument
- sphygmomanometerArterial pressure measuring instrument
- otoscopeEar canal inspection instrument
- ophthalmoscopeDevice for viewing retinas
reflex hammer · thermometer · tongue depressor · speculum · tuning fork · penlight · pulse oximeter · blood pressure cuff · scale · tape measure
assessment
Formal evaluation of worth
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- differentialRelative difference between things
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
prognosis · screening · history · anamnesis · symptoms · signs · pathology · laboratory · imaging · biopsy
systematic
Following ordered procedures
- thoroughComplete in every detail
- methodicalOrganized and deliberate
- comprehensiveIncluding all elements
meticulous · careful · rigorous · detailed · step-by-step · head-to-toe · focused · targeted · serial · comparative
consultation room
Private space for appointments
- privacy curtainFabric partition for concealment
- gownLong formal garment
- glovesHand coverings with fingers
medical chart · waiting room · triage area · bedside · emergency department · ward round · house call · telehealth · intake form · consent form
clinical examinationlaboratory testing
Scientific examination of specimens
diagnostic imaging · MRI scan · CT scan · X-ray · ultrasound
clinical examinationself-examination
Scrutiny of one's thoughts
self-diagnosis · self-assessment · gut feeling · self-monitoring
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