Final answer:
a. During a physical exam, a doctor assesses the health of a patient by checking several aspects, including neurological function.
b. Examples of findings from different types of exams that a patient might undergo can provide indications of the patient's health status.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the neurological exam, findings might include a patient's ability to perform tasks like smiling, raising eyebrows, sticking out the tongue, and shrugging shoulders—these tests relate to cranial nerve function. Additionally, testing muscular strength by providing resistance against the patient's arms and legs checks motor function, while assessing sensation with a pen tip touches on sensory function.
When abnormalities are noted, such as pins and needles sensation or deficits in sensory perception, these findings can suggest issues with the sensory systems. They offer a lead to healthcare providers on what further tests, like a CT scan, may be necessary for diagnosis. For example, in the scenario detailed, the patient's symptoms of sensory disturbance led to the initiation of aspirin therapy to preemptively treat a potential embolus.
Symptoms such as pain, which are subjective and experienced only by the patient, are also important findings that can guide diagnosis and treatment. These symptoms can often be quantified using tools like the Wong-Baker Faces pain-rating scale or measuring skin conductance fluctuations.