What percentage of diagnosis comes from exams?

• A. 60%
• B. 20%
• C. 10%
• D. 30%

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that diagnosing a patient relies most on the story they tell and how their symptoms fit together, with the physical exam playing a supportive but smaller role. The physical examination can confirm or question an impression, but it typically doesn’t singlehandedly establish the diagnosis; many conditions share similar signs, so the context from history is essential. In this framing, the contribution of the exam to the final diagnosis is about 10%—it adds valuable clues and can tip the balance, but the majority comes from understanding the patient’s history and presenting pattern, with tests helping to confirm or refine the working diagnosis. If a choice suggested the exam carried a larger share, it would overstate its standalone impact, while a much smaller share would imply that tests alone drive diagnosis, which isn’t accurate.