The Importance of Physical Exams – Medical Information

The Importance of Physical Exams – Medical Information

A physical exam is defined as a procedure where a doctor investigates the human body for any signs of possible disease. A physical exam usually comes on the heels of taking the medical history of a patient. It is important to get a physical exam because it is a great help in coming up with the right course of treatment for the patient. All information gleaned from a physical exam will become a part of a patient’s medical record. The following will provide more information on types of physical exams.

Vital Signs

Vital signs refer to when a doctor checks a patient’s physiological stats. The purpose of taking vital signs is to determine the most fundamental functions of the body. They are a fundamental aspect of case presentation.

Back and Extremity Exam

The back and extremity exam depends a lot on the range of motion of any patient. This exam begins with the limbs, as the doctor checks for lesions, rashes, atrophy, swelling, and range of motion. The back is examined for possible damage through the range-of-motion exam that involves the moving of the extremities.

Chest and Lung Exam

A chest and lung exam starts by observing the rate of breathing and effort in the patient. The doctor should note the depth of the breathing and look for any abnormal tones or sounds in the patient’s breathing. He or she must also check the percussion of the patient’s chest.

Cardiovascular Exam

A cardiovascular exam involves the doctor observing the patient for general symptoms of cardiovascular disease. It also involves the doctor checking a patient’s pulse to see if there is any bradycardia present. He or she will also take the blood pressure of the patient.

Head and Neck Exam

A head and neck exam begins with the doctor looking at the head as its own entity, due to its complexity. The doctor will look at the head for asymmetry, rashes and edema. He or she will examine the ears and the patient’s mouth and throat for any problems. The patient will have his neck palpitated so the doctor can check for swelling.

Eye Exam

An eye exam involves the doctor determining the patient’s visual acuity by way of a Snellen eye chart. After this, the actual physical eye exam starts, which involves the doctor checking for problems like ptosis of the eyelids. Another common aspect of this exam is the doctor shining a light into the eye of the patient to determine if the pupils respond properly to light.

Abdominal Exam

A doctor will split up the abdomen into four quarters. The doctor does this to have a more efficient experience with noting down pain and other findings during the abdominal exam. A doctor will check for rashes, striae, scars, a hernia and lesions during an abdominal exam.

Breast Exam

A breast exam is performed when a patient lies down or sits up on the examining table. The patient must remove the gown from one mammary gland and put her arm behind her head, allowing the doctor to palpate her mammary gland. The doctor must examine the mammary gland’s tissue by pressing it and making their hand travel all around it in circular motions.

Pelvic Exam

The patient should lie down and position her legs into stirrups. The doctor checks the patient’s pelvic area exterior for lesions, redness or swelling. Then, the doctor will examine the patient’s cervix.

Neurologic Exam

A neurological exam involves various aspects. The doctor can immediately perceive articulation (or lack thereof) in the speech of a person, or ptosis in the eyes of a person. Visual acuity, the muscles in a patient’s face, the hearing of the patient, the gait of the patient, and the muscles throughout the rest of the body will all be tested.

Mental Status Exam

The state of mind of a patient is analyzed during a mental status exam. Much of this exam is performed by the doctor observing the patient’s mind through his or her mood, speech, attitude, behavior, appearance, thought process and actions. The doctor will also ask specific questions of the patient to provoke responses.

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