What happens during a Physical Exam?

Question

Well, i havent gotten one since 4th grade? **** well i have to go tomorrow morning and i forgot what happens during an Physical Exam...

Answer 1

They will first take your weight and blood pressure, then ask about any medications you may have been on (that includes over the counter stuff), ask about your family history of certain diseases such as heart disease.

Then in the room after you have changed in to the gown the dr will listen to your lungs and heart to make sure they don't hear anything out of the ordinary. Next they will have you lie back on the table so that they can feel your abdomen to make sure there are no masses or enlargement of organs such as the liver and spleen. Listen for bowel sounds with the stethoscope.

After that they will check your breasts to make sure they don't find any lumps.

Ask about any symptoms that you may be noticing that are not normal for you there and in general.

After all that they may order blood work such as to check all basic chemicals in your body such as blood sugar (using this as an example) and maybe cholestrol (this is an age thing that they figure out when to start doing this).

The dr may also do a pelvic exam and pap smear (some primary care physicians won't if the lady already has a gyn that she goes to).

Hope this is of some help and hope your exam goes well.