What is primarily evaluated during a Review of Systems (ROS)?

The primary focus of a Review of Systems (ROS) is to assess and evaluate the various bodily systems for any potential issues that may not have been addressed during the patient's history or physical examination. This comprehensive review aims to gather information about different organ systems, such as cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological systems, to identify any symptoms or concerns that the patient may report.

Conducting a systematic review allows healthcare providers to detect early signs of disease, ensure that all pertinent symptoms are documented, and guide the clinician in formulating an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan. It plays a critical role in ensuring a holistic understanding of the patient's health status.

Lifestyle choices, past medical and surgical history, and diagnostic imaging results are important components of a patient’s overall assessment but are not the primary focus of the ROS itself. The ROS is explicitly designed to elicit information about active symptoms related to the systems being reviewed.