Final answer:
A visual exam of a patient's body, often comprising a neurological exam, looks at the skin, tests muscular and sensorial functions, and assesses coordination and mental status. This exam is crucial in detecting disorders, guiding further testing, and choosing appropriate treatments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The visual exam of the patient's entire body and overall appearance is often referred to as a physical examination or more specifically, a neurological exam when assessing the nervous system. This type of assessment includes evaluating the skin as part of the integumentary system to check for disorders and performing various tests, such as checking muscular strength, sensorial response to touch, and cranial nerve functions.
During a neurological exam, health care professionals can conduct a rapid assessment which includes checking mental status, cranial nerves, motor, and sensory functions, as well as coordination and gait, which could be affected by issues in certain regions of the CNS.
For example, if a patient expresses that they are experiencing pins and needles in a limb, it could indicate a possible issue with sensory systems. An inspection can reveal not only the visual outcome of certain tests and procedures but also provides vital clues to a patient's overall health condition. It is this rapid visual examination that can lead to more in-depth testing procedures such as a CT scan or an appropriate therapy like aspirin to prevent blood clots when necessary.