Basic Components of a Routine Physical Examination Term Paper

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Components of a PERIODIC HEALTH Examination

A periodic health examination is an evaluation of the body and its functions using inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. A complete health assessment includes information about ones medical history and lifestyle, laboratory tests, and disease screening. A periodic health examination can help identify health problems at an early stage when they are easier to control or cure (Laine). Another benefit of these visits is that over time the patient may develop rapport and trust with his/her physician. The type of doctor to visit to obtain a periodic health examination is a primary care physician. The following physicians qualify as primary care: general practitioners are trained in medical disciplines, including internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, general surgery and psychiatry. Internists diagnose and medically treat disease in adults. Pediatricians care for and treat children from birth through adolescents.

Preparation for a Periodic Health Examination

Before visiting the health care professional, the patient should write down important facts and dates about his or her medical history, as well as those of family members. A list of all medications with their doses should be recorded, or the bottles may be brought in. Any other general concerns should also be written down.

Before the health examination begins, the bladder should be emptied, and a urine specimen may be collected in a small container. For some blood tests, the patient may be told ahead of time not to eat or drink after midnight. Once at the physician's office, the patient usually removes all clothing and puts on a loose-fitting hospital gown. An additional sheet is provided to keep the patient covered and comfortable during the examination.

Basic Components of a Periodic Health Examination

Before the health examination, the patient should inform the physician about his or her diet, exercise, alcohol and tobacco use, sexual behavior, family disease history, and any symptoms. This information is important because it affects risk factors for various illnesses.

A periodic health examination starts at the head and proceeds to the toes. The exact procedure will vary according to the needs of the patient and examiner preferences.

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An average examination takes about 30 minutes. The cost of the examination will vary, depending on the charge for physician time and any tests that are performed. Most health plans cover these health examinations including some tests.

The physician will first observe the patient's appearance, general health, and behavior, along with measuring height, weight, and vital signs, which includes pulse, breathing rate, body temperature, and blood pressure. With the patient sitting upright, the following systems are reviewed (Wildes and Anderson):

Skin. The exposed areas of the skin are observed; the size and shape of any lesions are noted.

Head. The hair, scalp, skull, and face are examined.

Eyes. The external structures are observed. The internal structures are observed with an ophthalmoscope in a darkened room.

Ears. The external structures are inspected. An otoscope may be used to inspect internal structures.

Nose and sinuses. The external nose is examined. The nasal mucosa and internal structures are observed with the use of a penlight and a nasal speculum.

Mouth and pharynx. The lips, gums, teeth, roof of the mouth, tongue, and pharynx are inspected.

Neck. The lymph nodes on both sides of the neck and the thyroid gland are typically palpated.

Back. The spine and muscles of the back are palpated and checked for tenderness. The upper back is palpated on the right and left sides and a stethoscope is used to listen for lung sounds.

Breasts and armpits. A woman's breasts are inspected with the arms relaxed and then raised. In both men and women, the lymph nodes in the armpits are felt with the examiner's hands. While the patient is sitting, movement of the joints in the hands, arms, shoulders, neck, and jaw are checked.

With the patient lying down on the examining table, the examination includes:

Breasts. The breasts are palpated and inspected for lumps.

Front of chest and lungs. The area is inspected with the fingers, using palpation and percussion. A stethoscope is used to listen to internal breath sounds.

The head….....

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