Lesson 1Exam documentation: describing abnormal findings and communicating significance to supervising clinicianThis part teaches accurate, objective recording of abnormal physical findings, application of standard terminology, structuring of exam notes, and straightforward communication of clinical importance and urgency to supervising clinicians and the care 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 targeted musculoskeletal and rheumatologic screening in patients with fatigue, emphasising joint inspection, palpation, range of motion, signs of inflammation, functional evaluation, and patterns indicating systemic rheumatic illness.
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 centres on a targeted cardiovascular exam, including inspection, palpation, listening to heart sounds, jugular venous pressure, peripheral pulses, swelling, and perfusion to detect 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 colorPeripheral edema and perfusion gradingLesson 4Vital signs interpretation with attention to orthostasis and feverThis part clarifies precise measurement and interpretation of vital signs, stressing orthostatic checks, fever patterns, 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 part examines systematic skin and lymphatic checks to identify pallor, bruising, rashes, and swollen lymph nodes, focusing on pattern identification, red-flag signs, and links to blood, infectious, autoimmune, and cancerous diseases.
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 part reviews a brief neurologic screening exam, covering mental status, cranial nerves, muscle strength, reflexes, sensation, and coordination, highlighting detection of localised deficits, symmetry, and needs for urgent 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 part details focused abdominal exams for enlarged liver or spleen and masses, including inspection, listening, tapping, and feeling techniques, with focus on clues to systemic diseases and needs 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 apnea riskThis part addresses focused airway and sleep exams, including mouth and throat inspection, neck measurement, Mallampati scoring, and facial features raising risk for obstructive sleep apnoea, guiding further 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 methodical neck and thyroid exams, including inspection for unevenness, feeling for goitre and nodules, checking 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 part explains lung exam methods, emphasising listening for consolidation, COPD, and fluid buildup, alongside inspection, feeling, and tapping to combine breath sounds with breathing difficulty assessments.
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
