During a physical exam, what does NAD stand for?

In the context of a physical exam, NAD stands for "No Acute Distress." This term is often used by healthcare providers to indicate that the patient does not appear to be in any immediate, severe discomfort or pain during the examination. It serves as a quick assessment of the patient’s overall condition and is commonly documented throughout medical records. When a clinician states that a patient is in NAD, it implies that while there may still be underlying issues to diagnose or address, there are no pressing symptoms that warrant immediate intervention or raise concerns about the patient's current state of health.

Other options, while they may sound plausible, do not accurately reflect the standard interpretation of the abbreviation within clinical practice. For instance, neurological and developmental highlights specific areas of concern but does not summarize the patient's general state of distress. Similarly, no apparent deficits and negative abdominal distress focus on particular systems or issues, rather than the broad evaluation of the patient's state.