The goal of this study was to analyse some practicing, teaching and learning aspects of physical examination done by ICU's nurses. It was accomplished with 26 ICU nurses that concluded the Intensive Care Nursing Specialization Course at the School of Nursing at São Paulo University. The results showed that 31 (68,9%) of the 45 presented itens were done frequently by more than 50% of the nurses. The professional practice was considered the most important moment to physical examination learning. The responsability by teaching was attributed to undergraduation course by 69,2% of the nurses.
ICU; physical examination; nursing teaching