Episode 45: Patient Interview, Symptoms & Vital Signs
This document is a lesson on patient interviewing and examination techniques for healthcare professionals. Key aspects covered include establishing rapport, employing effective questioning strategies (open-ended, closed, direct, indirect), and gathering essential patient data (demographics, chief complaint, medical history). The lesson also focuses on assessing vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure) and interpreting their significance in diagnosing cardiopulmonary conditions. Specific symptoms like dyspnea and cough are examined in detail, along with their various characteristics and potential causes. Finally, the importance of observing the patient's general appearance and level of consciousness is highlighted.