Integrantes:
- Albán Carlos
- Ati Kerlly
- Averos Jenifer
- Chancusig Dafne
- Daquilema Elena
- Pilco Maribel
1) Describe the key components of an effective medical interview. What specific skills are essential for establishing rapport with the patient and ensuring accurate information gathering?
An effective medical interview relies on clear communication, empathy, and proper structuring. The key components include:
Greeting and introduction: Start with a polite introduction, stating the doctor’s name and role to build trust.
Exploring the chief complaint: Allow the patient to describe their issue in their own words before asking directed questions.
Detailed medical history: Inquire about personal and family history, habits, and previous treatments.
Active listening and empathy: Show genuine interest, maintain eye contact, and use open body language.
Clear communication: Ask precise questions, avoid unnecessary technical terms, and ensure the patient understands the information.
Logical structure and sequence: Follow a systematic order to avoid missing important details.
Closing and planning: Summarize the information, address concerns, and explain the next steps in management.
Essential skills include empathy, active listening, assertiveness, patience, and the ability to adapt to the patient’s needs and context.
2. Consider a scenario where a patient is reluctant to share personal health information. What strategies would you employ during the interview to encourage openness and facilitate effective communication?
1. Establish Rapport and Trust – Begin with small talk or general questions to make the patient feel comfortable. Start a conversation, after exchanging pleasantries with they patient. Demonstrate empathy and active listening.
2. Ensure Confidentiality – Clearly explain that their information is confidential and only used for their care. Address any concerns they may have about data security.
3. Use Open-Ended Questions – Start with broad, non-threatening questions (e.g., “Can you tell me more about how you’ve been feeling lately?”) before moving into specific topics.
4. Normalize Concerns – If they seem hesitant, acknowledge their feelings (e.g., “Many patients feel this way, and it’s completely understandable. My goal is to help, not to judge.”).
5.Constructive feedback can be a powerful tool for strengthening this bond.
3. Describe the significance of auscultation during a physical examination. What specific techniques should be used when auscultating the heart and lungs, and what key findings would you listen for?
Auscultation is when a doctor listens to body sounds using a stethoscope. It is used to examine the lungs, heart, and other organs.
Auscultation of the Head
- How to do it:
Use the bell of the stethoscope.
Listen over the temporal arteries or near the eyes.
Do not press too hard.
- What to listen for:
Bruits: Abnormal sounds that may indicate blood vessel problems, like artery narrowing.
Venous hum: A humming sound that may be due to high pressure in the head.
Auscultation of the Lungs
- How to do it:
Use the diaphragm (large side) of the stethoscope.
Listen on the front, back, and sides of the chest.
Ask the patient to breathe deeply through their mouth.
Compare both sides.
- What to listen for:
Normal breath sounds:
Vesicular: Soft sounds in the lungs.
Bronchial: Loud sounds in the trachea.
- Abnormal breath sounds:
Crackles: Like bubbles, may indicate fluid in the lungs (pneumonia, pulmonary edema).
Wheezes: High-pitched sound, may indicate airway narrowing (asthma, COPD).
Rhonchi: Low-pitched sound, may indicate mucus in the airways (bronchitis).
Stridor: Loud sound, may indicate airway obstruction.
Pleural friction rub: Harsh sound, may indicate pleura inflammation.
Auscultation is very important to detect lung and heart diseases.
4. Explain the importance of inspecting the skin during a physical examination. What specific signs or abnormalities should you look for, and how might these findings guide your differential diagnosis?
The inspection of the skin during a physical examination is crucial for identifying signs of systemic, infectious, autoimmune, and neoplastic diseases. It is important to assess color (jaundice, pallor, cyanosis), hydration, temperature, texture, the presence of lesions (macules, papules, ulcers), hair distribution, and nail changes. Findings such as acanthosis nigricans may suggest insulin resistance, purpura may indicate coagulation disorders, and non-healing ulcers may suggest malignancy. These signs help guide the differential diagnosis and direct further studies to confirm underlying conditions.