Which professional can take medical history, perform routine physical exams, and make preliminary diagnostics under a physician's supervision?

• A. Physician's Assistant (PA)
• B. Medical Assistants (CMAs)
• C. Psychiatrists
• D. Paramedic

Answer: (A)

Understanding professional scope of practice and supervision in medical teams: a physician’s assistant is trained to take patient history, perform routine physical exams, and develop preliminary diagnostic impressions under the supervision or collaboration with a physician. This arrangement lets PAs conduct essential assessments and begin management while the physician provides oversight, expanding patient access to care and helping clinics handle higher patient volume.

Medical assistants typically handle administrative duties and assist with basic clinical tasks, but they don’t routinely perform full physical examinations or establish preliminary diagnoses on their own under physician supervision.

Psychiatrists are physicians who diagnose and treat mental health conditions; they operate as licensed doctors rather than as supervised assistants.

Paramedics provide emergency care in prehospital settings and follow protocols in the field, not typically performing routine physicals or producing preliminary diagnoses under a physician’s ongoing supervision.

The professional described is the physician’s assistant.