Physical Examination - How and Why Is This Done?

Here are some things to know about physical examination and why this is important.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION – This is the reason and importance of doing a physical examination and how should you prepare for this.

Your primary care provider (PCP) could be a doctor, a nurse practitioner, or a physician assistant who will check your overall health. According to a definition from Earl W. Campbell, JR and Christopher K. Lynn, it is “the process of evaluating objective anatomic findings through the use of observation, palpation, percussion, and auscultation”.

It can be done generally or specifically at least once annually. This examination is a thorough checkup from head to toe of a patient. During this examination, certain factors and measurements will be taken such as temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate and your body will be assessed through observation, palpitation, percussion, and auscultation as mentioned above.

This is recommended to everyone, especially to people whose age is over 50.

Here are the benefits of this:

early detection of symptoms or diseases for early treatment
determining early warning signs in order to prevent further complications in the future
updated immunizations
to ensure that the patient is doing good in terms of diet, lifestyle, and routine

Before you do this, here’s what you should know first:

list down the medications you take may it be herbal or over-the-counter medicines
take note of the symptoms or pain you are suffering from
bring the latest or relevant tests you have taken recently
take note of your medical or surgical history
list the names of doctors that you just had a consultation with

During the examination, you will be asked certain questions about your medical history, allergies, past surgeries, or symptoms. The PCP would also like to know the details of your lifestyle such as your exercise routine or your vices. Your height, weight, and pulse will also be measured.

There will be instruments to use to check your eyes, ears, nose, and throat and your skin color, lesions, and hygienic issues are, as well, noted.

The consistency, location, size, tenderness, and texture of your organs will also be checked. The PCP may also touch your body parts to feel or discover unusual lumps, check organ size and shape, and check responses.

The sounds of your lungs, intestines, and heart will also be checked. Auscultation will help determine if there’s a problem in these areas. Commonly, the issues found are irregular heart rate, Crohn’s Disease, phlegm, and fluid buildup in the lungs.

According to American Journal of Medicine, lack or inadequacy in doing this examination may lead to medical errors and adverse effects.