In an oral presentation, which step involves state details of the physical examination from head to toe?

• A. State what the patient has told you
• B. State a plan of action
• C. Give a differential diagnosis
• D. State details of physical exam from head to toe

Answer: (D)

The step being tested is presenting the objective findings of the exam in a clear, organized way. During an oral H&P, you move through the patient’s examination in a systematic order—often starting with general appearance and vital signs, then going through regions from head to toe and noting findings for each area. This momentum lets the listener visualize the patient and confirms what you actually observed, separate from what the patient reports or what you plan to do next.

Stating details of the physical exam from head to toe is the moment you summarize those objective findings. It’s distinct from recounting the history (“what the patient told you”) and from laying out the plan or the differential diagnosis. Those elements come before or after the exam details, but the explicit head-to-toe exam findings belong to the physical examination portion of the presentation.

For example, you would note general appearance, vital signs, eye/pupils, neck and thyroid, chest and heart, abdomen, extremities, neuro status, and skin as you observed them, in a logical sequence. This organized reporting helps ensure nothing is overlooked and supports your overall assessment and plan.