You are examining a 55-year-old female patient with a history of alcohol abuse. She complains of anorexia, nausea, pruritus, and weight loss over the last month. On physical examination, you note yellow hue of the skin and sclera. Which of the following physical examination techniques is most important?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The yellow hue of the skin and sclera indicates jaundice, which is a sign of liver dysfunction often associated with alcohol abuse. The scratch test is a technique used to assess the presence of ascites, which can occur in advanced liver disease, making it the most relevant physical examination technique in this context.

You Are Examining a 55-Year-Old Female Patient with a History