List the four physical exam factors used in the SGA?

List the four physical exam factors used in the SGA?

• A. Edema
• B. Weight history; Dietary intake; GI symptoms; Functional status
• C. Subcutaneous fat; Muscle wasting; Edema; Ascites
• D. Skin turgor; Hair quality; Nails; Oral mucosa

Answer: (C)

In the Subjective Global Assessment, the physical examination looks for signs of tissue depletion and fluid changes. The four factors assessed are loss of subcutaneous fat, muscle wasting, edema, and ascites. These reflect energy and protein depletion plus fluid shifts, which is why they’re the four physical exam findings used in SGA. The other options mix in historical data (weight history, dietary intake, GI symptoms, functional status) or signs not part of the SGA physical exam (skin turgor, hair quality, nails, oral mucosa), so they don’t fit as the four physical exam factors.

In the Subjective Global Assessment, the physical examination looks for signs of tissue depletion and fluid changes. The four factors assessed are loss of subcutaneous fat, muscle wasting, edema, and ascites. These reflect energy and protein depletion plus fluid shifts, which is why they’re the four physical exam findings used in SGA. The other options mix in historical data (weight history, dietary intake, GI symptoms, functional status) or signs not part of the SGA physical exam (skin turgor, hair quality, nails, oral mucosa), so they don’t fit as the four physical exam factors.