look for clues to the problem: use 4 senses
* smell (foul odour could indicate infection/bad hygiene)
* look: observe for obvious signs (redness, bruising, bleeding, inappropriate body language, something the observer sees)
* listen: (auscultate -> heart rate, vowel sounds, breathing)
* feel: (palpate -> lumps, broken bones, joint dislocation)
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* symptoms: things the patient experiences
* vital signs: blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, temperature, oxygen levels