A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps:
- General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; furthermore:
- Inspection (viewing).
- Skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae (white part of the eye) [dehydration (lack of fluid), jaundice].
- Auscultation (listening) of the heart.
- Auscultation of the lungs
- Inspection (viewing).
- Gynecologic and obstetric examination – determine if the pregnancy is developed in a timely manner (i.e., is the fundal state/upper uterine margin appropriate for gestational age/pregnancy age?).
- If applicable, neurological examination [impaired concentration, lightheadedness, slowing down].
- Health check for the pregnant woman
Square brackets [ ] indicate possible pathological (pathological) physical findings.