Final answer:
The Review of Systems (ROS) is an extensive evaluation covering the general condition and 18 specific organ systems to identify symptoms and abnormalities in a medical assessment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Review of Systems (ROS) is a comprehensive evaluation of the body's various organ systems during a medical assessment. It typically covers 18 areas, including the general state of health, plus specific organ systems. Here is a list of the systematic components often included in the ROS:
- General appearance and assessment of overall health
- Skin, including any rashes, lesions, or bruising
- Head and neck, including the eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Breasts
- Respiratory system
- Cardiovascular system
- Gastrointestinal system
- Urinary system
- Reproductive system, separate for males and females
- Muscular and skeletal systems
- Neurological system, evaluating functions such as memory, balance, and coordination
- Psychiatric system, assessing mood and behavior
- Endocrine system, concerned with hormone-producing glands
- Hematologic/lymphatic system, relating to blood and lymph nodes
- Allergic/immunologic system
Each system is reviewed for symptoms and abnormalities that can inform the diagnostic process and guide further medical evaluation.