An examination of someone’s body to see if he or she is healthy.
A thorough study of a person’s state of health. The physical examination typically follows history-taking or medical interview. Examination usually includes inspection, palpation (direct feeling with the hand), percussion (striking parts of the body with short, sharp taps and feeling and listening to subsequent vibrations), and auscultation (listening with a stethoscope). If a person reports symptoms, the physical examination will help determine their cause and which tests may be helpful.
The portion of the examination of an individual which is carried out by the physician by the use of her own senses-looking, touching, and listening-with or without the aid of devices to assist these senses. It does not include examination of the blood or body fluids or the use of special procedures such as x-ray and electrocardiography.
That part of a patient’s consultation with a doctor in which the doctor looks, feels (palpates) and listens to (auscultates) various parts of the patient’s body. Along with the history of the patient’s symptoms, this enables the doctor to assess the patient’s condition and decide whether an immediate diagnosis is possible or whether laboratory or imaging investigations are needed to reach a diagnosis. A full physical examination may take 30 minutes or more. Physical examination, along with certain standard investigations, is done when a person attends for a ‘preventive’ check-up of his or her state of health.
An exam of the body to check for general signs of disease.
A head-to-toe check of a person’s body to identify medical problems.
The physical examination segment of a medical consultation involves the doctor observing, touching, and listening to various sections of the patient’s body. It’s used to evaluate the patient’s health status or to compile data that aids the doctor in making a diagnosis.
A comprehensive physical examination typically includes palpation, a process where the doctor uses their hands to assess body areas for symptoms like swelling, tenderness, or organ enlargement. In some instances, percussion might be used, where the doctor taps on the chest or other body parts and listens to the resulting sound. Auscultation, or listening with a stethoscope, can be employed to hear blood flow in arteries and sounds from the heart and lungs. Other components of the examination may include measuring the patient’s pulse or blood pressure, checking their eyes and ears, and evaluating muscle strength and coordination.