What is the term for an abnormal physical change observed by a physician during an exam?

The term for an abnormal physical change observed by a physician during an exam is a sign. Signs are objective findings that a healthcare professional can detect during a physical examination. These can include things like swelling, redness, or unusual heart sounds, which can be observed, measured, or palpated by the physician.

In contrast, symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the patient, such as pain or fatigue, which may not be directly observable. A diagnosis refers to the conclusion drawn by a physician about a patient's condition after evaluating the signs and symptoms. Risk factors are characteristics or conditions that increase the likelihood of developing a disease but do not represent an abnormal change themselves. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the distinction between what the physician can observe versus what the patient may report.