CLINICAL EXAMINATION Meaning and
Definition
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Clinical examination refers to the systematic and comprehensive assessment of a patient's physical condition and overall health status by a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or nurse. It involves a combination of objective observation, hands-on assessment, and patient interaction. The purpose of a clinical examination is to gather information that can help in diagnosing, treating, and managing a patient's health condition.
During a clinical examination, the healthcare provider typically starts by obtaining the patient's medical history, including details about their symptoms, past illnesses, and any existing medical conditions. This information is crucial in guiding the examination process. The provider then proceeds to conduct a thorough physical examination, which may involve inspecting, palpating (feeling), percussing (tapping), and auscultating (listening) to various parts of the body, such as the chest, abdomen, and limbs. Different tools and instruments, such as stethoscopes, reflex hammers, and blood pressure cuffs, might also be used to gather more specific data.
The findings from a clinical examination are often recorded and analyzed to make an accurate diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan. This examination can help identify abnormalities, such as signs of infection, inflammation, or structural abnormalities, as well as assess overall organ function and the presence of any sensory or motor deficits. Additionally, a clinical examination allows the healthcare provider to establish rapport with the patient, assess their general well-being, and address any concerns or questions they may have.
Overall, a clinical examination is a fundamental part of patient care that aids healthcare professionals in evaluating a patient's health, detecting potential issues, and providing appropriate medical guidance and treatment.
Common Misspellings for CLINICAL EXAMINATION
- xlinical examination
- vlinical examination
- flinical examination
- dlinical examination
- ckinical examination
- cpinical examination
- coinical examination
- clunical examination
- cljnical examination
- clknical examination
- clonical examination
- cl9nical examination
- cl8nical examination
- clibical examination
- climical examination
- clijical examination
- clihical examination
- clinucal examination
- clinjcal examination
- clinkcal examination
Etymology of CLINICAL EXAMINATION
The word "clinical" derives from the Latin term "clinicus", which means "a physician who visits patients at their bedside". The term eventually evolved into "clinicus", which referred to a medical teacher or a physician who conducted clinical demonstrations. This Latin word stems from the Greek term "kline", which means "bed".
"Examination" comes from the Latin term "examinare", which means "to weigh or to test". It is derived from "examen", which refers to a balance or a pair of scales. The term "examen" was used metaphorically to represent a critical assessment or scrutinization.
Therefore, combining the roots "clinicus" and "examinare", the term "clinical examination" has emerged to describe the process of a physician or medical professional thoroughly assessing a patient's condition or conducting various tests and procedures to diagnose or evaluate their health.
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