Some questions I have about the CS exam

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What is the time frame you have for asking questions/doing the physical exam/doing a closing statement/doing the typing for the writeup? Is everything done in 15minutes? or is the 15 minutes just for the interview and physical?

Can we bring our own sheets to write notes on or do they give us blank pieces of paper to write notes on?

How many patients do we see total?

When we type in our top 3 differentials - do we have to explain why next to it? How about for the tests/labs we decide to order?

Is there parking for us at the Philadelphia site? What time did you get there beforehand?

I have been reading the First Aid CS book, just the Practice Cases section. Is it just like that?

Any tips? thanks!

Originally Posted by st3ady

I have been reading the First Aid CS book, just the Practice Cases section.

Almost all of these questions can be answered by reading the introductory sections of your CS book and visiting the USMLE website. I would say if you don't know about these basic issues both of those resources would be worth your time.

Originally Posted by beyondbethany

Almost all of these questions can be answered by reading the introductory sections of your CS book and visiting the USMLE website. I would say if you don't know about these basic issues both of those resources would be worth your time.

I have a quick question about some of the physical exam: when do i need to palpate the PMI, and first aid says that the neuro exam is to include vibratory, dull and shart, proprioception, etc, which seems excessive - so if I am just going to to a perfunctory neuro exam what in the world do I do? i have done well on all my schools OSCE's, but I'm nervous about CS - do they have an orientation where they answer my questions? thanks

If you have a neurocase, do a full neuro exam. Simliarly if you have a CVS case.. do a full CVS exam.

Problem lies in defining a "neuro case", because the pt's will present w/ mix of symptoms. So you'll have to do a superficial exam.

Now just a tip: You'll never have enough time to do a FULL exam of any system ever. Do relevant exams.

Standard exams to always do: CVS/Chest (Auscult only).