General Exams

A general physical exam is where the doctor will examine a patient for possible signs and symptoms of various medical conditions.  This consists evaluating medical history along with a physical examination to determine a diagnosis and form a treatment plan. 

A typical examination would include:

• Vital signs: blood pressure, breathing rate, pulse rate, temperature, height, and weight
• Vision acuity: testing the sharpness or clarity of vision from a distance
• Head, eyes, ears, nose and throat exam: inspection, palpation, and testing, as appropriate
• Gastrointestinal examination: may include any of inspection, auscultation (listening for bowel sounds), percussion (a special tapping technique to deduce any tenderness), or palpation (a touching technique using the clinician’s hand on the relevant body part, in this case, abdomen, to observe any muscle guarding, rigidity, or tenderness)
• Cardiovascular evaluation: heartbeat, blood laboratory tests, and when required by regulations, electrocardiogram
• Respiratory assessment: respiratory rate, breathing sounds and postures
• Musculoskeletal assessment: Muscles, bones, and joints are assessed using techniques of inspection, palpation, and manipulation (applying pressure or movement) while the clinician observes responses and reactions.
• Neuro exam: observation and testing or observation alone of mental awareness, motor function and balance, sensory response, and nerves/reflexes
• Skin and lymph node check:  skin tone/pallor and lymph nodes are inspected