Patient interview

How to interview a patient with swollen lymph nodes

Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.

MD / DOPA
Practice it in VR with Blocky

Most swollen nodes are from infection. Size, duration and whole-body symptoms tell when to worry.

Step by step

  1. Introduce yourself and feel

    Get consent and feel the nodes. [1]

  2. Where

    One area or many. Nodes above the collarbone are a concern. [2]

  3. How long and how big

    More than 2 to 4 weeks or larger than about 1 cm needs follow-up. [2]

  4. Pain

    Tender nodes suggest infection; hard, painless, fixed nodes are a concern. [3]

  5. Local infection

    Sore throat, dental problems, skin wounds, cat scratches. [2]

  6. B symptoms

    Fever, night sweats, weight loss. [2]

  7. Exposures

    Sexual history, travel, TB contacts. [2]

Common errors

Practice it in VMS

In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.

VMS cases that train this skill

Sources

  1. AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs)
  2. NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint
  3. NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations

Facts and steps follow NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations; NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint; AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs). VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.