Review of systems

Question 1

What is the review of symptoms?

Answer 1

1. Last component of patient history
2. Head-to-toe review organized by body system (checks systems seemingly “unrelated” to patient’s chief complaint)
3. Seeks unreported medical concerns

Question 2

When is ROS performed?

Answer 2

1. Comprehensive assessments (new patient)

2. Not during routine follow-ups because it takes a long time nor a visit with a very focused purpose

Question 3

What kind of questions are asked during ROS?

Answer 3

Start: general
End: focused questions based on a positive response (if present)

Question 4

What is the million dollar question (that should be asked multiple times)?

Answer 4

“Is there anything else that you’d like me to know that we have not discussed?”

Question 5

What is the comprehensive systems list included in ROS?

Answer 5

General, head, eyes, ears, nose, mouth/throat, neck, breasts, lungs, heart, abdomen, urinary tract, genital tract, extremities, neurologic, psych, glands, skin, blood

Question 6

What often prompts many ROS questions, even if it isn’t the best source?

Answer 6

Electron medical record (EMR) (driven by billing requirements, not relevance, so not great to use)

Question 7

What should be recorded in ROS record?

Answer 7

All questions whether results were positive or negative (cut down to whatever preceptor prefers)