What does a thorough physical examination involve?

A thorough physical examination is a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of an individual's health status, which involves assessing all body systems for abnormalities. This kind of examination is crucial for identifying underlying health issues, detecting diseases early, and monitoring existing conditions or treatment efficacy. The process often includes inspecting, palpating, percussing, and auscultating different parts of the body to gather relevant clinical data about the patient's overall health.

Other approaches, such as focusing only on mental health or assessing immediate health problems, do not provide the holistic view that a thorough examination entails. While aspects like diet and exercise are important for overall health, they form only part of the broader scope of a complete physical assessment. Thus, a systematic review of all body systems is essential for a well-rounded understanding of a patient's health.