Lesson 1Exam documentation: describing abnormal findings and communicating significance to supervising clinicianThis section imparts exact, objective recording of irregular physical findings, standard terminology usage, structuring of exam records, and straightforward conveyance of clinical importance and urgency to supervising clinicians and the healthcare team.
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 tackles focused musculoskeletal and rheumatologic assessments in fatigued patients, emphasising joint examination, palpation, mobility range, inflammatory indicators, functional evaluation, and patterns indicative of systemic rheumatic illnesses.
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 centres on a directed cardiovascular assessment, including visual inspection, palpation, listening to heart sounds, jugular venous pressure, peripheral pulses, oedema, and perfusion to detect heart failure, valve disorders, and shock conditions.
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 clarifies precise measurement and analysis of vital signs, stressing orthostatic checks, fever characteristics, and combining heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and oxygen levels for initial risk assessment.
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 examines methodical skin and lymphatic inspections to identify pallor, bruising, rashes, and swollen lymph nodes, focusing on pattern identification, critical findings, and links to blood, infectious, autoimmune, and cancerous conditions.
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 overviews a brief neurologic screening, covering mental state, cranial nerves, muscle power, reflexes, sensation, and coordination, highlighting detection of localised deficits, balance, and needs for immediate brain imaging.
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 outlines targeted abdominal checks for enlarged liver or spleen and lumps, incorporating inspection, listening, tapping, and feeling techniques, with focus on systemic illness signs and prompts for urgent scans.
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 apnoea riskThis section addresses targeted airway and sleep assessments, including throat inspection, neck size, Mallampati classification, and facial traits that heighten obstructive sleep apnoea risks and inform testing or referrals.
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 goitre, nodules, bruitsThis section covers systematic neck and thyroid checks, including visual checks for unevenness, feeling for goitre and nodules, evaluating tenderness and texture, and listening for bruits indicating heightened blood flow.
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 describes lung examination methods, emphasising listening for consolidation, COPD, and fluid buildup, plus visual, tactile, and tapping assessments to combine breath sounds with breathing difficulty evaluation.
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
