A physician's assistant is allowed to perform which of the following tasks?

A physician's assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional who practices medicine on a team under the supervision of physicians. One of their primary roles includes taking medical histories and performing routine examinations. This is integral to the patient care process, allowing for the assessment of health status and the identification of any further examinations or treatments that may be necessary.

The ability to conduct medical histories helps PAs gather essential information about the patient's condition, which is critical for providing effective care and making informed decisions. Routine exams, which can include physical assessments, monitoring of vital signs, and basic diagnostic evaluations, fall well within the scope of practice for a PA, enabling them to contribute significantly to patient care.

Complex surgeries and diagnosing serious illnesses independently typically fall outside the scope of a PA's responsibilities, as these tasks require a higher level of training and are generally performed by physicians. While some PAs can prescribe medications, their authority can vary by state regulations, and they may not have the ability to prescribe all types of medications. Hence, the ability to take medical histories and perform routine exams is a key function of a physician's assistant within the healthcare team.