What is taken right after the general survey?

• A. vital signs
• B. ROS
• C. HEENT exam
• D. Documentation of medications

Answer: (A)

Right after the general survey, vital signs are collected because they provide objective, baseline measures of the patient’s current physiologic state and help detect acute issues that could change the rest of the exam. The general survey gives an overall first impression—appearance, distress, and general condition—which guides how aggressively you monitor the patient and what to look for next. Review of systems is gathered during the history, not as part of the immediate physical data collection, while HEENT and other system exams come next in the focused physical examination. Documentation of medications belongs to the history and medication reconciliation, not a step that follows the general survey in the physical exam sequence.