Final answer:
To diagnose pericarditis, both physical exams, which include auscultation with a stethoscope, and reported symptoms are essential. Ultrasound of the liver is unrelated to the direct diagnosis of pericarditis.
Step-by-step explanation:
To diagnose pericarditis, both a physical exam and reported symptoms by the patient are crucial. During a physical exam, a physician may utilize auscultation with a stethoscope to listen for abnormal heart sounds, which can indicate issues such as valve and septal disorders. This method is safe, inexpensive, and has been used historically for cardiac assessment.
Furthermore, patients' reported symptoms are key to guiding the diagnosis since pericarditis can present with specific clinical symptoms. The use of an ultrasound of the liver is not directly related to diagnosing pericarditis but could be used to diagnose other abdominal issues. Therefore, physical exams and reported symptoms are the right choices.