Which statement about the Review of Systems (ROS) is true?

Which statement about the Review of Systems (ROS) is true?

• A. A detailed physical examination of every system, performed by palpation
• B. A summary of the patient's past medical and surgical history
• C. A list of current medications and allergies
• D. A systematic questionnaire asking about symptoms across body systems

Answer: (D)

The main concept is that the Review of Systems is a systematic questionnaire asking about symptoms across body systems. This tool is used to screen for current symptoms the patient may be experiencing and to guide further questioning, not to perform a physical examination or to summarize past history. It helps catch issues the patient might not mention spontaneously and informs the clinician about what to assess next. The statement that best describes ROS is that it is a structured set of questions about symptoms spanning different body systems. It is not a detailed physical examination performed by palpation, which is part of the hands-on exam rather than the interview-based ROS. It is not simply a summary of past medical and surgical history, which belongs to the patient’s PMH. It is not merely a list of current medications and allergies, which is the medication/allergy history.

The main concept is that the Review of Systems is a systematic questionnaire asking about symptoms across body systems. This tool is used to screen for current symptoms the patient may be experiencing and to guide further questioning, not to perform a physical examination or to summarize past history. It helps catch issues the patient might not mention spontaneously and informs the clinician about what to assess next.

The statement that best describes ROS is that it is a structured set of questions about symptoms spanning different body systems. It is not a detailed physical examination performed by palpation, which is part of the hands-on exam rather than the interview-based ROS. It is not simply a summary of past medical and surgical history, which belongs to the patient’s PMH. It is not merely a list of current medications and allergies, which is the medication/allergy history.