Final answer:
After completing the past medical history, the next section to do is the Review of systems, followed by family and social histories. The physical examination is crucial and involves various tests to assess neurological function.
Step-by-step explanation:
When taking a medical history and performing a physical examination, after completing the past medical history, the next section typically conducted is the Review of systems (ROS). The ROS is a systematic approach for collecting the patient’s self-reported data on all body systems. This helps to identify any symptoms that may not have been disclosed during the initial history taking. A thorough ROS can often cue the clinician into additional tests that need to be performed, and contributes to the formulation of possible differential diagnoses. Consequently, the ROS is an essential component of the neurological exam and can reveal important health information that complements the findings from the physical exam.
After the ROS, the physician might continue with the family history to identify any genetic predispositions to neurological diseases, followed by the social history to understand lifestyle factors that could influence neurologic health. The physical examination is an integral part of the workup, where the physician would conduct various tests such as the cranial nerve exam, sensory and motor exams, coordination, and gait exams, to assess neurological function directly.