What Key Indicators Should You Look for When Identifying Abnormal Findings During a Physical Exam?

When spotting unusual findings during a physical exam, keep an eye out for these important signs:

Vital Signs:
- Blood Pressure (BP): High blood pressure, or hypertension, happens when your BP is 130/80 mmHg or higher. This affects about 45% of adults in the U.S.
- Heart Rate (HR): If your resting heart rate is over 100 beats per minute (this is called tachycardia) or below 60 beats per minute (known as bradycardia), it could mean there are health issues.
Respiratory Rate:
- A normal breathing rate is between 12 and 20 breaths each minute. If someone breathes faster or slower than this, it might mean they are having trouble breathing.
Temperature:
- A fever means a person has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. About 15% of patients have a fever when they go to the hospital.
Skin Check:
- Skin that looks pale, blue (cyanosis), or yellow (jaundice) can mean low oxygen levels or liver problems. Around 10% of some groups of patients show signs of jaundice.
Neurological Check:
- If reflexes or muscle strength are uneven on both sides of the body, it could suggest a stroke. About 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke each year.

These signs need more checking to understand their importance in health.

When spotting unusual findings during a physical exam, keep an eye out for these important signs:

Vital Signs:
- Blood Pressure (BP): High blood pressure, or hypertension, happens when your BP is 130/80 mmHg or higher. This affects about 45% of adults in the U.S.
- Heart Rate (HR): If your resting heart rate is over 100 beats per minute (this is called tachycardia) or below 60 beats per minute (known as bradycardia), it could mean there are health issues.
Respiratory Rate:
- A normal breathing rate is between 12 and 20 breaths each minute. If someone breathes faster or slower than this, it might mean they are having trouble breathing.
Temperature:
- A fever means a person has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. About 15% of patients have a fever when they go to the hospital.
Skin Check:
- Skin that looks pale, blue (cyanosis), or yellow (jaundice) can mean low oxygen levels or liver problems. Around 10% of some groups of patients show signs of jaundice.
Neurological Check:
- If reflexes or muscle strength are uneven on both sides of the body, it could suggest a stroke. About 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke each year.

These signs need more checking to understand their importance in health.

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