mitc
20
disc

When Is Abnormal Normal?
Joyce Mitchell and Lee Haroun
There is so much emphasis on knowing normal findings in order to assess abnormal findings. What are some examples of abnormal findings that may be a patients normal findings (normal in the sense of ongoing and not expected to be changed during the remaining life of the patient)?

History and Physical
Joyce Mitchell and Lee Haroun
Taking a history and physical (H & P) is always the initial step when a patient comes in contact with a health care worker. The H & P includes demographic data, source of referral, chief complaint(s), history of present illness, past history, current health status, family history of illness, psychosocial history, and review of systems. Why is each of these areas important to review? What is a baseline, and how does it relate to the gathered information?

Observational Skills
Joyce Mitchell and Lee Haroun
What kind of information can you assess just by watching a patient or by having a conversation without asking any health-related questions?

