Tag: Physical exam

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 6 in 10 American adults have at least one chronic disease, making proactive check-ups crucial for early detection and management. Understanding what are the components of a health assessment empowers you to be a more active participant in your healthcare.

Over 70% of people have experienced some form of abdominal discomfort, yet few know how to identify what is a normal abdominal description. This authoritative guide breaks down the key aspects of a healthy abdomen, from its visual appearance to its function, offering clarity on what to expect.

According to various studies, a normal chest excursion typically falls within a range of 2-6 cm, though this can vary by individual factors such as age and body type. Understanding **what is a normal chest excursion** is a fundamental part of assessing overall respiratory function and can provide crucial insights into lung and chest wall health.

As a cornerstone of physical examination and anatomical orientation, the sternal angle is a vital landmark. Understanding **what is 4cm above the sternal angle** involves recognizing its relationship to the manubrium, the top segment of the sternum, and its various clinical implications.

According to the *British Medical Journal*, distinguishing between pain and tenderness is a fundamental skill in clinical diagnosis, as they indicate different things about an underlying condition. So, **does tender mean it hurts**? Yes, but with a specific distinction: tenderness means it hurts *only when touched or moved*, whereas pain can be felt without any external stimulus.

Tenderness is considered a sign, not a symptom, because it is objectively elicited by a clinician during a physical examination. A classic example that answers the question, 'What is an example of tenderness in medical terms?', is the pinpointed pain experienced in the lower right abdomen, indicating a potential case of appendicitis.

Approximately 10-20% of healthy people may have palpable lymph nodes, so the phenomenon is not uncommon, even in those without any health issues. This guide explores the reasons why you can feel lymph nodes in your neck if you're skinny, providing authoritative insights into what's normal and when to be concerned.

Before the advent of modern imaging technologies like X-rays, doctors relied heavily on their hands as a primary diagnostic tool. Healthcare providers continue to use palpation today, employing their sense of touch to evaluate a patient's body and gather crucial information that helps in diagnosis and treatment.

As an integral part of a physical examination, deep palpation is a technique where a healthcare provider applies firm pressure to feel internal structures and abnormalities. Understanding what is deep palpation used to check for provides insight into this important, non-invasive diagnostic method.

According to the CDC, over 40% of American adults have two or more chronic conditions. A critical first step in managing and preventing such issues is conducting a health assessment, a systematic process of gathering information to determine a person's overall health status.