Problem focused physical exam
In your Primary Care Practicum, you will rarely see your preceptors perform a comprehensive exam like the one you’ll learn in Immersion. They are much more likely to perform an exam focused on the one or two organ systems most relevant to the reason the patient is being seen. This problem focused exam is used to answer specific clinical questions about the patient you are seeing.
| Examples of clinical questions | Problem focused exam |
|---|---|
| Is my patient with heart failure on enough water pills (diuretics)? |
|
| Is my pediatric patient developing as expected? |
|
| Is my patient with diabetes developing complications? |
|
| Does my patient’s back pain have a serious cause? |
|
As you learn about each organ system in your Foundations Blocks, we will teach you new exam maneuvers that can help you answer specific clinical questions. You will also learn how to focus and how to expand your exam based on your patient’s chief concern and the clinical setting