physical examination
Doctor's hands-on evaluation
A physical examination is a medical assessment where a doctor inspects the body for signs of disease or abnormality.
The exam typically includes checking vital signs, listening to heart and lungs, palpating organs, and testing reflexes.
Often shortened to physical: I need to schedule my annual physical.
The term also appears in non-medical contexts like employment screening or military induction.
Medical listening examination
- palpationMedical examination by touch
- percussionSound through impact
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- vital signsMeasurable life indicators
reflexes · range of motion · neurological exam · head-to-toe · documentation · findings · abnormalities · baseline
Medical listening instrument
- sphygmomanometerArterial pressure measuring instrument
- otoscopeEar canal inspection instrument
- ophthalmoscopeDevice for viewing retinas
- reflex hammerDiagnostic percussion device
thermometer · tongue depressor · penlight · tuning fork · measuring tape · weight scale · gown · gloves
Routine health evaluation
- wellness visitPreventive medical appointment
- annual examScheduled yearly medical evaluation
- immunizationProtective medical injection
- screeningEvaluative selection process
risk assessment · family history · health promotion · age-appropriate · guidelines · early detection · vaccination · well-child visit
Vertical extent upward
- weightMeasure of heaviness
- BMIWeight-to-height ratio
- blood pressureCirculatory force measurement
- pulseArterial blood throb
temperature · respiration rate · waist circumference · head circumference · oxygen saturation · body composition · growth chart · percentile
Systematic comparison of possible conditions
- clinical signsObservable disease indicators
- symptomsIndicators of disease
- referred painDiscomfort perceived away from source
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
swelling · discoloration · asymmetry · crepitus · murmur · wheeze · mass · lesion
auscultation
Medical listening examination
- palpationMedical examination by touch
- percussionSound through impact
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
vital signs · reflexes · range of motion · neurological exam · head-to-toe · documentation · findings · abnormalities · baseline · comparison
stethoscope
Medical listening instrument
- sphygmomanometerArterial pressure measuring instrument
- otoscopeEar canal inspection instrument
- ophthalmoscopeDevice for viewing retinas
reflex hammer · thermometer · tongue depressor · penlight · tuning fork · measuring tape · weight scale · gown · gloves · speculum
checkup
Routine health evaluation
- wellness visitPreventive medical appointment
- annual examScheduled yearly medical evaluation
- immunizationProtective medical injection
screening · risk assessment · family history · health promotion · age-appropriate · guidelines · early detection · vaccination · well-child visit · occupational health
height
Vertical extent upward
- weightMeasure of heaviness
- BMIWeight-to-height ratio
- blood pressureCirculatory force measurement
pulse · temperature · respiration rate · waist circumference · head circumference · oxygen saturation · body composition · growth chart · percentile · trending
differential diagnosis
Systematic comparison of possible conditions
- clinical signsObservable disease indicators
- symptomsIndicators of disease
- referred painDiscomfort perceived away from source
tenderness · swelling · discoloration · asymmetry · crepitus · murmur · wheeze · mass · lesion · edema
- ancient medicinephysicians, healers, Hippocratic Oath, Hippocratic oath, four humors
physical examinationlab work
Scientific testing and analysis
blood work · diagnostic imaging · MRI scan · X-ray · CT scan
physical examinationpsychological evaluation
Clinical mental health appraisal
psychiatric assessment · cognitive testing · mental health screening · behavioral assessment
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