What is a physical exam and what can you expect?
- health care consumers should know its essential elements. A thorough physical examination covers head to toe and usually lasts about 30 minutes. It measures important vital signs -- temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate -- and evaluates your body using observation, palpitation, percussion, and auscultation.
What are the different types of physical exams?
- A physical examination for routine Preventive Medical Care (see our Should I get a Physical post)
- A physical examination to screen for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s)
- An annual physical examination for women ( pelvic and breast exam,PAP smear,and STD screening)
What is a normal physical exam?
- The routine physical, also known as general medical examination, periodic health evaluation, annual physical, comprehensive medical exam, general health check, preventive health examination, medical check-up, or simply medical, is a physical examination performed on an asymptomatic patient for medical screening purposes.
What to expect during your routine physical exam?
- height and weight measurements
- nose,mouth,throat,and ear examination with a torch or scope
- feeling for the pulse in the person’s neck,groin,or feet
- checking the body’s reflexes
- listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope
- measuring blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer
- feeling the lymph nodes in the neck,underarms,or groin
Physical exams\n\n touching, or “palpating,” parts of your body (like your abdomen) to feel for abnormalities. checking skin, hair, and nails. possibly examining your genitalia and rectum. testing your motor functions and reflexes.