Lesson 1Exam documentation: describing abnormal findings and communicating significance to supervising clinicianThis part teaches accurate, unbiased recording of unusual physical findings, standard terms, note organisation, and straightforward conveyance of clinical importance and urgency to supervising doctors 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 part tackles focused musculoskeletal and rheumatology checks in fatigue patients, emphasising joint checks, touch, movement range, inflammation indicators, function evaluation, and signs of widespread rheumatic conditions.
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 part targets cardiovascular assessments, including visual checks, touch, listening to heart sounds, jugular vein pressure, limb pulses, swelling, and blood flow to spot heart failure, valve problems, and shock conditions.
Precordial inspection and palpationAuscultation of S1, S2, and extra soundsMurmur timing, location, and radiationEstimating jugular venous pressurePeripheral pulses, temperature, and colourPeripheral oedema and perfusion gradingLesson 4Vital signs interpretation with attention to orthostasis and feverThis part details proper vital sign measurement and analysis, focusing on postural changes, fever types, and combining heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and oxygen levels for initial risk assessment.
Standardised 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 part examines methodical skin and lymph checks to identify paleness, bruises, rashes, and swollen nodes, stressing pattern spotting, warning signs, and links to blood, infection, immune, and cancer diseases.
Structured skin inspection head to toeRecognising 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 part reviews a brief neurological screen, covering mental state, cranial nerves, muscle power, reflexes, sensation, and coordination, focusing on spotting localised weaknesses, balance, and needs for urgent brain scans.
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 part specifies targeted abdominal exams for enlarged liver or spleen and lumps, including visual, listening, tapping, and touch methods, with focus on widespread disease hints and needs for quick 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 tipCharacterising abdominal masses and tendernessLesson 8Focused sleep and airway exam: oropharynx, neck circumference, Mallampati for sleep apnea riskThis part addresses targeted airway and sleep exams, including mouth and throat checks, neck size, Mallampati scores, and face features raising obstructive sleep apnoea risks, guiding tests 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 goiter, nodules, bruitsThis part covers systematic neck and thyroid exams, including visual checks for unevenness, touch for swelling and lumps, tenderness and texture assessment, and listening for vascular noises indicating high 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 part explains lung exam techniques, highlighting listening for lung consolidation, COPD, and fluid buildup, plus visual, touch, and tapping 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
