You are hereForums / USMLE Forums / Step 2 - CS / doubt regarding sp
doubt regarding sp
if SPs are trasined actors, all our physical examination findings would be normal isnt it ? :roll:
would we fail if we give wrong differential diagnosis?
Tags
Actually, physical exam can reveal abnormal findings even in SP's. These are some of the ways. If the patient has abdominal pain in RUQ and your are testing for Murphy's, the patient can be trained to winse when you press the area. The SP's can themselves may have some chronic condidtions such as HTN, DM etc. that can be used to portray some natural physical findings. Some SP's are good at imitating things like wheezing, unequal air entry (yes, I had a guy with Pneumothorax who was so good at imitating this), bruises can be body painted etc. So, while the Physical may not reveal much in most cases, it does reveal some things and you should look. The SP is testing what exam you are doing and how you do it. So, be prefessional about it.
You can do it, we can help!
Prab, Moderator