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The documentation that records the attending physician's assessment of the patient's current health status is the physical examination. This component of the medical record specifically captures the physician's findings related to the patient's health upon their examination, including vital signs, observed symptoms, and other relevant health indicators. It serves as a foundational part of clinical documentation, allowing healthcare providers to assess changes in a patient’s condition over time.

The physical examination is typically conducted during a patient visit and is essential for diagnostic reasoning and the development of treatment plans. This assessment is crucial for determining the course of care and helps document the patient's clinical status at that moment.

In contrast, medical history primarily focuses on past medical events and conditions, the discharge summary encapsulates a patient's overall care and condition upon leaving a healthcare facility, while a consultation letter is often a communication between specialists regarding specific concerns but does not generally capture comprehensive assessments of the patient's current health like the physical examination does.