Primary Care Physician (PCP) – Study Material (clinical roles and healthcare
practice overview)
medical history - correct answer ✔✔A record of information about a patient's past and current
health. Includes information about the patient's habits, lifestyle, and even the health of their
family.
chief complaint - correct answer ✔✔The patient's description of what they feel is their main
health problem.
physical signs - correct answer ✔✔Pieces of evidence that indicate an illness that can be
observed externally, such as a rash, coughing, or elevated temperature.
symptoms - correct answer ✔✔Any subjective evidence of disease a patient perceives, such as
aches, nausea, or fatigue. Symptoms allow the health care provider to narrow down the
possible conditions that may be affecting the patient and then run tests to make a diagnosis.
Demeanor - correct answer ✔✔Outward behavior or bearing. A doctor might have a cheerful,
peaceful, or friendly demeanor and put the patient at ease. A doctor with an arrogant or
dismissive demeanor might lose a patient's trust.
Tact - correct answer ✔✔Discretion and sensitivity in dealing with others. A doctor might
exhibit tact when they choose their words carefully so as to not upset a patient when they must
deliver bad news.
Empathy - correct answer ✔✔The ability to understand and share the feelings of another
person.
vital signs - correct answer ✔✔Measurements—specifically pulse rate, temperature, respiration
rate, and blood pressure—that indicate the state of a patient's essential body functions.
practice overview)
medical history - correct answer ✔✔A record of information about a patient's past and current
health. Includes information about the patient's habits, lifestyle, and even the health of their
family.
chief complaint - correct answer ✔✔The patient's description of what they feel is their main
health problem.
physical signs - correct answer ✔✔Pieces of evidence that indicate an illness that can be
observed externally, such as a rash, coughing, or elevated temperature.
symptoms - correct answer ✔✔Any subjective evidence of disease a patient perceives, such as
aches, nausea, or fatigue. Symptoms allow the health care provider to narrow down the
possible conditions that may be affecting the patient and then run tests to make a diagnosis.
Demeanor - correct answer ✔✔Outward behavior or bearing. A doctor might have a cheerful,
peaceful, or friendly demeanor and put the patient at ease. A doctor with an arrogant or
dismissive demeanor might lose a patient's trust.
Tact - correct answer ✔✔Discretion and sensitivity in dealing with others. A doctor might
exhibit tact when they choose their words carefully so as to not upset a patient when they must
deliver bad news.
Empathy - correct answer ✔✔The ability to understand and share the feelings of another
person.
vital signs - correct answer ✔✔Measurements—specifically pulse rate, temperature, respiration
rate, and blood pressure—that indicate the state of a patient's essential body functions.
