PAST 510 Physical Diagnosis

Credits: 4
Through a series of lectures and demonstrations, students learn the basics of physical examination techniques and the correct and efficient use of medical equipment. Each organ system is presented and components of the examination, including the general appearance, vital signs, head/ears/eyes/nose and throat, cardiopulmonary, abdominal, lymphatic and neuromuscular, are discussed. The approach to the examination of geriatric and pediatric patients is described, as is the examination of the breast, pelvic and genitourinary systems. The complete screening physical examination is discussed at the conclusion of the course, and point-of-care ultrasound as a physical examination adjunct is presented. The wide range of normal findings is the primary emphasis of the course, and clinical correlations are presented as a means of introducing abnormal findings. Students are introduced to and practice the descriptive use of medical terminology to communicate examination findings.

Graded: Pass/No pass
May be taken only once for credit