What is the role of a medical assistant during a physical examination?

The role of a medical assistant during a physical examination primarily involves assisting the healthcare provider. This support can include preparing the exam room, ensuring necessary equipment and supplies are ready, taking patient histories, and helping with any preliminary assessments, such as measuring vital signs. The medical assistant plays a critical supportive role that allows the healthcare provider to focus on delivering care, but they do not conduct the examination independently or undertake responsibilities that are outside their scope of practice, such as prescribing medications or performing surgeries.