As a medical student, you must perform physical exams throughout your training. Some will be in the operating room while others are outside the OR (i.e., clinical rotations). Regardless of where you perform them, it would help if you learned how to evaluate the disease’s vital signs and symptoms. It is crucial to have a thorough understanding of physical exam components so that you can detect issues early and refer them appropriately.
There is good news for those concerned with your health: You don’t need to wait until you are sick to get checked out. By visiting your doctor, checking your blood pressure, and even cleaning your teeth, you can stay healthy today, tomorrow, and for years to come.
For those worried about going to the doctor, let me share why you must visit the doctor regularly.
You already know how busy life gets if you are a new mom. It is hard to find time to take care of yourself. Between the baby and the housework, I put together this guide on how to get a physical exam for women when you are pregnant or a new mom. It will help you look after yourself and stay healthy during this crucial time.
As a meditation practitioner, you are likely aware that you need to pay attention to your body, particularly your breathing and how you feel in your body. But what do physical exams tell us about meditation practice? How can they affect your meditation practice?
What is a physical exam?
A physical exam includes checking your blood pressure, examining your eyes, and measuring your body weight. Your doctor will ask a few questions to ensure you stay healthy and well-hydrated.
If you are pregnant, your doctor will also check your reflexes and heart rate.
This information will be helpful for future visits as you continue to grow and change. You should contact your doctor if you have any concerns about your health.
How to conduct a physical exam
Physical exams are important because they let your doctor see your overall health. They can spot signs of an illness before symptoms arise and check for certain conditions you may not notice yourself.
There are two types of physical exams: a thorough biological and an abbreviated physical. The former involves the doctor checking every part of your body, from your head to your toes.
The abbreviated physical includes a few keys: your blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate. It is also a good idea to go to a doctor if you feel unwell, are experiencing any pain, or are experiencing any weight gain.
While there are no fundamental rules for conducting an exam, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
You don’t need to bring anything with you to the appointment. Your doctor should give you a list of items to get, but you can also bring a pen and paper.
You don’t need to undress. Your doctor can examine you while wearing a hospital gown or something similar.
Your doctor might want to examine you privately. For this reason, it’s best to choose a private room, unless you don’t mind being seen by others.
Keep in mind that most physical exams are quick and painless. However, you can also prepare for your exam by taking simple steps before your appointment.
Before your visit, ensure you have your ID and proof of insurance. Also, note the appointment time, what kind of doctor you’ll see, and whether you’ll need to bring anything.
What are the four major categories of physical exams?
First, there are the general physical exams. This includes height, weight, blood pressure, and heart rate. There are also specific medical exams such as blood, urine, and pregnancy tests.
The second category is the dental exam. You may think your dentist is a part of the medical community, but he is a professional trained to examine the mouth. He will check your teeth, gums, and tongue. This can include an x-ray if needed.
The third category is vision. There are two types of vision exams. One is an eye exam, which checks the eyesight and can include an x-ray. The other is a complete eye exam, which consists of the full set of tests for both eyes.
The final category is hearing. This includes an ear exam, which checks the ears for infections, hearing loss, and other issues.
These exams are essential to your health, so they must be performed by a professional.
The four major categories of physical exams
When you go to the doctor, you typically visit one of the four major categories of medical exams. These are:
- Physical exam
- Blood tests
- Radiology tests
- Laboratory tests
As you can see, these exams are pretty diverse, so it is no wonder that they are each designed to help doctors diagnose and treat various diseases.
However, if you are a woman and expect, you should still complete a physical exam to check that everything is okay. Here are the four major categories of physical exams for new moms.
Physical exam
This exam is the most important because it will give you a thorough understanding of your baby’s health.
To ensure that everything is fine, you can ask your doctor to check the following:
- Belly button
- Breast size and shape
Frequently Asked Questions About Physical Exams
Q: How did you become a doctor?
A: I became a doctor because I wanted to help people. I got a job as an EMT in high school, and while working there, I realized how much I loved helping people.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: What I like most about my job is helping patients who need medical care. When I first started working here, I thought I wanted to be a doctor because of the prestige, but now, I realize that it’s about helping people, which makes me happy.
Q: Why do you want to be a doctor?
A: I want to be a doctor because I know that medicine is very advantageousWhat’s the best part of being a doctor?
A: The best part of being a doctor is being able to help people. I can make a difference in their lives.
Q: How did you decide to become a doctor?
A: When I was in high school, I decided that I wanted to be a doctor.
Top Myths About Exam Questions
1. A physical exam should be done for all patients before a diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction is made.
2. A physical examination is not valuable for diagnosing thyroid dysfunction.
3. The physical examination may be necessary to rule out other problems, but not for diagnosis.
4. An ultrasound of the thyroid gland is unnecessary unless there is a clinical suspicion of malignancy.
Conclusion
A physical exam is a standard procedure for medical professionals to determine your overall health. It includes taking your temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and other vital signs, as well as your height and weight.
Although you may initially find it a little uncomfortable, you’ll quickly get used to it.
The doctor must check on you occasionally, especially if you’ve had a recent illness or injury.
