What to Expect From a Clinic When Undergoing a Physical Examination

We've heard great physical examination stories out of every type of clinic we have come into contact with over the years. Back in the Vietnam days, some guys would stop bathing weeks before their physical so that when they showed up the doctor would think they were off their rockers. Guys would also rub copious amounts of toothpaste and oil into their hair to further the crazy look. In those days, just saying you preferred the same sex went a long way to "failing" a physical examination, thus many a clinic saw many a homosexual patient.

These days, however, a physical examination is performed not for war readiness, but more often for employment opportunities and/or attending a summer camp of choice. The Department of Motor Vehicles also requires a physical examination for certain types of licenses. No matter what the reason, one should know what is in store for them if they need to have a physical performed upon them at a clinic or doctor's office.

A physical examination is performed to evaluate the general health of the patient being tested. The techniques used by the doctor or clinic vary, but more often than not include tactile examination (the fingers and hands), percussive examination (wherein the doctor will tap with the fingers and listen), smell (there goes the not-bathing thing!), blood tests and other means.

Generally, a physical is used to determine a person's baseline health information that is very useful in a variety of ways both presently and in the future (when a status changes). A great time to ask questions directly to your clinic staff regarding your health is while undergoing a physical-and obviously, early detection and the addressing of any health problem that may be noticed early is beneficial to the patient.

As stated previously, there are a variety of ways to perform a physical examination, which each doctor able to concentrate a bit more precisely on their area of expertise and the requirement of the organization like The Department of Motor Vehicles. Yet there are general things that you should expect from any doctor or clinic performing your physical exam. These include:

• Examination of your vital signs. This includes the pulse, heart rate, blood pressure and temperature. Expect a stethoscope to be used, but remember to never scream into it because your doctor will hit you with the reflex hammer.

• Testing of the reflexes. Typically, that little hammer is utilized to test your reactions to certain actions performed by the doctor. This may include a gentle knock on the knee or other body part. Optical reflex tests may also be performed.

• Lymph nodes. The doctor will manually check for any enlarged glands or lymph nodes. The areas generally tested are the neck, under the arms and abdomen.

• Depending on the type of test requested, the clinic may test for drugs in a patient's system, or any specific ailment. These choices are made depending on the reason for the physical examination being performed. When one finds the right clinic or center, they can expect the doctor there to discuss all this with them.