Which element is included in the general survey: facial expression

• A. Facial expression
• B. Heart rate
• C. Blood pressure
• D. Medications list

Answer: (A)

The general survey is the initial, overall impression you form about a patient by visually assessing appearance and behavior. Facial expression is included because it quickly conveys affect, mood, pain level, and distress, and can hint at neurological or psychiatric status without any tools. You can see whether someone looks comfortable, worried, angry, or in acute distress just by watching their face, which guides how you proceed with the rest of the examination.

Heart rate and blood pressure are vital signs obtained with instruments and documented as part of the objective component of the exam, not the general survey. A medications list belongs to the history or interview, not the immediate observational survey of appearance.