Final answer:
A physical exam should start with 'inspection,' which involves visually examining the patient. Subsequent techniques include palpation, manipulation, and specific tests like praxis and gnosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Any physical exam of a patient should begin with inspection. Inspection is the initial part of the physical assessment, allowing the healthcare provider to visually examine the patient for any obvious signs of illness, injury, or abnormalities before proceeding to more hands-on techniques such as palpation, manipulation, and stabilization. After inspection, additional examination techniques are used to gather more detailed clinical information, which may include tests for praxis and gnosis, assessments of proprioception, and an evaluation of appendicular musculature.