What should I bring to my physical exam?
You can prepare for your physical exam by making a list of the following and bringing it with you to the appointment:
- Any medications or supplements you currently take. Identify any prescriptions that need a refill.
- Allergies.
- Symptoms, including what they are, when they occur, how long they last and what relieves them.
- Results from prior tests and lab work (including films and reports).
- Any measurements your provider asked you to keep track of, such as blood pressure or blood sugar readings.
- Medical and surgical history, which is a record of your past diagnoses, treatments and procedures.
- Questions you’d like answered.
- Names, addresses and phone numbers of any doctors, specialists or care providers you see. Let your physical exam provider know if you want reports sent to those healthcare providers.
If your physical exam is a sports physical or pre-employment exam, bring paperwork from your coach or employer for your healthcare provider to sign at the appointment.
What can I expect during a physical exam?
During your physical exam, your healthcare provider will begin by asking you how you’re feeling and if you have any symptoms, questions or concerns about your health. If the reason for your exam is for a sport or if it’s a pre-employment physical, tell your provider at the start of your exam so they can fill out the required paperwork.
Before you meet with your primary care provider, a member of your care team will:
- Measure your height and weight.
- Check your vital signs.
- Review your medical history and family medical history.
- Identify what medications or supplements you currently take.
- Assess your social environment and how it affects your health (smoking, substance use, etc.).
- Discuss medical care preferences including a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status or a living will.
- Review any personal health concerns or symptoms.
Your healthcare provider will ask questions to learn more about your symptoms or concerns, if you have any. For example, if you have pain or discomfort, your healthcare provider may ask:
- Do you feel any unusual discomfort?
- Where’s the discomfort/pain located?
- What does the pain feel like? Is it dull, achy, pressured or sharp?
- Can you assign it a number between 1 and 10, with 10 being the most severe?
- How long does the pain last? Does it come and go? Does it stay for a long time?
- Do you notice that anything causes discomfort? For example, do you feel it after eating, after exercise or at night?
- What relieves the discomfort? Rest, medications, position?
Physical exam (medical examination)
When you meet with your doctor or healthcare provider, they’ll perform a physical exam that evaluates each organ system in your body. Techniques that your healthcare provider will use to complete this exam include:
- Auscultation: Listening to your body.
- Inspection: Looking at your body.
- Palpation: Feeling your body with their fingers or hands.
- Percussion: Tapping or producing sounds on specific areas of your body.
During a physical exam, your provider will:
- Use a stethoscope to listen to your heart and lungs. Your provider will give you instructions to breathe normally and/or take deep breaths.
- Look into your ears using an otoscope instrument that helps your provider see into your ear canal.
- Look into your mouth using a tongue depressor and a light. Your provider may ask you to say, “ah,” during this part of the exam.
- Feel the lymph nodes in your neck. Your provider will use their fingers to gently press against your lymph nodes to check for swelling around the side of your neck.
- Feel your abdomen to check the location and size of your organs. Your provider may ask you to lie down during this part of the exam.
- Examine your skin for any unusual moles, rashes, breakouts or concerns you might have. If you notice changes to your skin, tell your healthcare provider about them.
- Perform a breast and pelvic exam or a genital and prostate exam, depending on your age and anatomy.
- Give you any vaccinations or immunizations that you need.
These examination methods can vary based on your age and the reason for your appointment. If you have specific concerns, a healthcare provider may look closely at the affected part of your body.
How long does a physical exam take?
A physical exam takes about 30 minutes to complete.
What can I expect after a physical exam?
After your physical exam, you can go about your day as usual. Your provider will give you the results of your exam and any signed paperwork for your employer or coach if you need it. They’ll also point out any areas of concern. They can give you a referral to see a specialist in certain cases. Your provider might recommend getting additional testing done to help them understand the cause of your symptoms if you have any. Testing could include but isn’t limited to the following:
- An X-ray.
- A complete blood count (CBC).
- An electrocardiogram (EKG).
- A stress test.
- A urinalysis.
- A lipid panel.
If there are concerns after your physical exam, your provider may request an appointment after testing to monitor the results and make sure you’re in good health.
FAQs
A physical exam checks your overall health. Your healthcare provider will evaluate the basic function of your organs, address any concerns, update your vaccinations and help you get healthy or maintain good health. Get a physical exam each year. It takes about 30 minutes to complete.
What is the physical exam? ›
Definition. Physical examination is the process of evaluating objective anatomic findings through the use of observation, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. The information obtained must be thoughtfully integrated with the patient's history and pathophysiology.
What is a physical exam quizlet? ›
-Physical examination (PE) = is a process performed by a medical professional to investigate a patient's body for signs of disease. +Starts from the head and ends in the extremities. +Varying approaches based on practice setting. -Medical history = Symptoms experienced by the patient.
Do doctors check your private parts during a physical exam for females? ›
No pelvic or rectal exam is required routinely. Gynecological Exam: A gynecological exam may include a breast and/or pelvic exam, as well as a pap smear depending on your age and risk. Breast Exam: Your provider will use the pads of their fingers to check the entire breast, including the underarm and collarbone.
What are the 4 components of physical exam? ›
A physical examination usually includes:
- Inspection (looking at the body)
- Palpation (feeling the body with fingers or hands)
- Auscultation (listening to sounds, usually with a stethoscope)
- Percussion (producing sounds, usually by tapping on specific areas of the body)
It is also routinely done to check for hernias and as part of a full physical exam. What: You may be lying on the exam table or standing, depending on what your symptoms are. You will typically be asked to lower your shorts or pants.
What not to do before a physical exam? ›
What not to do before a physical exam
- Consuming alcohol.
- Drinking caffeine within an hour of your visit.
- Eating a high-fat meal before bloodwork.
- Eating or drinking anything for eight to 12 hours, or as directed by your provider, before bloodwork that requires a fast.
- Taking cold medicine if you're feeling under the weather.
A physical test is a qualitative or quantitative procedure that consists of determination of one or more characteristics of a given product, process or service according to a specified procedure. Often this is part of an experiment. Physical testing is common in physics, engineering, and quality assurance.
What is the examination of physical evidence called ____________________? ›
Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) is a field of forensics that involves the examination and analysis of physical evidence collected from a crime scene. CSI professionals gather, process, and analyze evidence such as DNA, fingerprints, and fibers to help law enforcement solve crimes.
What is the legal definition of physical examination? ›
Goland (1990) 51 Cal. 3d 202, pp. 208-09.) “Physical examination” is defined as “[e]xamination of the body by auscultation [the process of listening for internal body sounds, especially in the chest and abdomen], palpation, percussion, inspection, and olfaction.” (Davis, Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (22d Ed.
Usually ages 11 to 40 will be when your genitals will be examined.
What does a full physical consist of? ›
At most physicals, doctors will screen your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, lungs and head, as well as check your general appearance. Males, specifically, should expect a testicular exam, a hernia exam, a penis exam and a prostate exam.
Do you keep your clothes on during a physical? ›
You can leave your underwear on, but please remove your other clothing including your bra." Let the patient know how long you'll be gone and step out of the room while the patient changes.
What does a physical exam include for a woman? ›
Examines your head and neck for lumps or any other signs of health problems. Listens to your heart and lungs. Orders or performs preventive screenings as needed. Records your vital signs, height and weight, and the date of your last menstrual cycle.
What questions are on a physical? ›
You should also be prepared to answer some of your doctor's questions, including:
- How often do you exercise?
- Do you smoke, drink alcohol, or use any drugs?
- What is your diet like?
- Are you feeling any abnormal pain or discomfort?
- Where do you feel the pain or discomfort?
- How is your sleep?
Very often, a routine urinalysis is part of a general physical exam. A routine urinalysis does not detect drugs of abuse. A special drugs-of-abuse screening test is used to detect the presence of those substances.
What is usually included in an annual physical exam? ›
Specifically, we review blood pressure, heart rate, weight, and body mass index. For labs, we order a complete blood count, kidney, liver and thyroid function tests, diabetes and cholesterol screenings, and a check of vitamin D levels.
Is a physical the same as a check up? ›
No, a routine check-up cannot replace a physical. While routine check-ups are essential for overall wellness and early detection of health issues, a physical provides a more comprehensive evaluation of your health, including additional tests and screenings based on your age and gender.
What happens in a girl's physical? ›
During a female physical exam, your physician checks your vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, temperature), heart and lung health, and visually inspects your body for changes and anything unusual.
What does a pre-employment physical exam consist of? ›
Your height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and other vitals will be checked. Your vision and hearing will likely be checked. You might be screened for drugs and alcohol. You might have to perform various exercises to test your stamina and strength.
