What is the primary purpose of the systems review in PT assessment?

• A. To confirm a specific diagnosis.
• B. To assess patient satisfaction with care.
• C. To determine treatment location.
• D. To screen overall health status and identify potential medical red flags.

Answer: (D)

The systems review is about quickly screening the person’s overall health to catch signs that something medical might be going on beyond the musculoskeletal system. This helps identify red flags that would require medical evaluation or referral before continuing with PT testing and treatment, keeping the plan safe and appropriate.

It’s not about confirming a specific diagnosis—that comes from more detailed evaluation and testing, often with medical input. It also isn’t a measure of patient satisfaction, which belongs to the patient experience domain. And it doesn’t decide where treatment will take place; that is guided by the care plan and setting, not by the safety screen.