Lesson 1Exam documentation: describing abnormal findings and communicating significance to supervising clinicianThis section teaches precise, objective documentation of abnormal physical findings, use of accepted terminology, organization of exam notes, and clear communication of clinical significance and urgency to supervising clinicians and the care team in primary care.
Objective versus subjective exam languageDescribing location, size, and qualityStandard abbreviations and terminologyLinking findings to likely diagnosesFlagging urgent or critical abnormalitiesSBAR and other communication formatsLesson 2Musculoskeletal and rheumatologic screening for inflammatory causes of fatigueThis section addresses targeted musculoskeletal and rheumatologic screening in patients with fatigue, focusing on joint inspection, palpation, range of motion, inflammatory signs, functional assessment, and patterns suggesting systemic rheumatic disease in outpatient settings.
Screening history for inflammatory symptomsJoint inspection and palpation basicsActive and passive range of motionDetecting synovitis and enthesitisFunctional assessment and gait reviewRed flags for systemic rheumatic diseaseLesson 3Cardiovascular exam: inspection, palpation, heart sounds, JVP, peripheral perfusionThis section focuses on a targeted cardiovascular exam, covering inspection, palpation, auscultation of heart sounds, jugular venous pressure, peripheral pulses, edema, and perfusion to identify heart failure, valvular disease, and shock states in primary care.
Precordial inspection and palpationAuscultation of S1, S2, and extra soundsMurmur timing, location, and radiationEstimating jugular venous pressurePeripheral pulses, temperature, and colorPeripheral edema and perfusion gradingLesson 4Vital signs interpretation with attention to orthostasis and feverThis section explains accurate vital sign measurement and interpretation, with emphasis on orthostatic assessment, fever patterns, and integration of heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation into early risk stratification for Canadian patients.
Standardized vital sign measurementOrthostatic blood pressure and heart rateFever patterns and diagnostic cluesTachycardia, bradycardia, and pulse qualityRespiratory rate and oxygen saturationVital sign red flags requiring escalationLesson 5Skin and lymphatic exam for pallor, bruising, rashes, or lymphadenopathyThis section reviews systematic skin and lymphatic examination to detect pallor, bruising, rashes, and lymphadenopathy, emphasizing pattern recognition, red-flag findings, and correlation with hematologic, infectious, autoimmune, and malignant disease.
Structured skin inspection head to toeRecognizing clinically significant pallorPatterns of bruising and petechiaeMorphology and distribution of rashesLymph node stations and palpation techniqueRed-flag skin and lymphatic findingsLesson 6Neurologic screening: mental status, cranial nerves, motor strength, reflexes, sensationThis section reviews a concise neurologic screening exam, including mental status, cranial nerves, motor strength, reflexes, sensation, and coordination, emphasizing detection of focal deficits, symmetry, and indications for urgent neuroimaging in clinic.
Rapid mental status and cognition checkScreening cranial nerve examinationMotor bulk, tone, and strength testingDeep tendon reflexes and pathologic signsLight touch and pinprick sensationCoordination, gait, and Romberg testingLesson 7Abdominal exam for hepatosplenomegaly and masses linked to systemic diseaseThis section details focused abdominal examination for hepatosplenomegaly and masses, including inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation techniques, with emphasis on systemic disease clues and indications for urgent imaging in primary care.
Abdominal inspection and contour assessmentAuscultation for bowel sounds and bruitsPercussion for organ size and dullnessPalpation of liver edge and consistencyPalpation of spleen and splenic tipCharacterizing abdominal masses and tendernessLesson 8Focused sleep and airway exam: oropharynx, neck circumference, Mallampati for sleep apnea riskThis section covers focused airway and sleep-related examination, including oropharyngeal inspection, neck circumference, Mallampati scoring, and craniofacial features that increase obstructive sleep apnea risk and guide further testing or referral.
Airway-focused history for sleep symptomsOropharyngeal inspection and tonsil sizeMallampati classification techniqueMeasuring and interpreting neck circumferenceCraniofacial and nasal obstruction findingsWhen to refer for sleep study evaluationLesson 9Neck and thyroid examination: inspection, palpation for goiter, nodules, bruitsThis section covers systematic neck and thyroid examination, including inspection for asymmetry, palpation for goiter and nodules, assessment for tenderness and consistency, and auscultation for bruits suggesting increased vascularity in fatigued patients.
Neck inspection for symmetry and massesMidline and lateral neck palpationThyroid size, contour, and consistencyDetection and description of nodulesThyroid tenderness and compressive signsAuscultation for thyroid and carotid bruitsLesson 10Pulmonary exam: auscultation for consolidation, COPD, effusion signsThis section explains pulmonary examination techniques, emphasizing auscultation for consolidation, COPD, and effusion, along with inspection, palpation, and percussion to integrate breath sounds with respiratory distress assessment in outpatient care.
Inspection of work of breathingChest wall expansion and tactile fremitusPercussion for hyperresonance or dullnessNormal versus abnormal breath soundsCrackles, wheezes, and rhonchi patternsSigns of pleural effusion and consolidation
