Periodic Health Evaluations Components, Procedures, and Why They Could Save Your Life!!!

Step 1: Medical History Includes: –Allergies –Medications –Past illnesses and hospitalizations –Lifestyle habits –Immunizations –Assessment of mental function, social skills, and emotional health

Step 1: Medical History Why is the history necessary? –Medical histories can tell doctors more about a patient than you may think. Doctors can link your medical concerns and lifestyle habits together to explain your symptoms. –Doctors know more about medicine and health than most patients, so they can spot problems before they arrive—prevention –Monitoring a patient’s medication is vital. Doctors can look for side effects as well as drug-nutrient interactions.

Step 1: Medical History What are some items that could fall under “lifestyle habits” that doctors need to know about?

Step 2: Examination Weight and height –Weight is taken to assess any recent weight changes and whether or not the patient is underweight or overweight; both are cause for concern –Height, especially in children, is used to assess whether the child is growing adequately –Height and weight are used to asses BMI, which aids in the classification of overweight, underweight, and obese

Step 2: Examination Blood Pressure –Usually taken by a nurse; a blood pressure cuff is wrapped around the bicep and air is pumped into it while the nurse listens –Normal BP is 120/80 –High Blood Pressure: hypertension –Low Blood Pressure: hypotension

Step 2: Examination Vital Signs –Pulse, body temperature, breathing rate –Check your pulse!! Find your pulse: upper neck, wrist, temples Use two fingers to feel the pulse; count for 30 seconds and double the number (for 1 minute) A normal rate is around beats per minute; lower for more athletic individuals

Step 2: Examination Head-to-toe check –Check skin for abnormal moles –Check ears, eyes, nose, mouth, throat –Listen to lungs for abnormalities –Check lymph nodes for signs of infection –Test reflexes (the little hammer hit below the knee) –Neurological exam--follow an object with your eyes, strength of hand grip, walk in a straight line, assess response to pain/stimuli –Check legs and ankles for signs of edema (swelling that indicates fluid retention)

Step 3: Tests Urinalysis –Used to check for protein or blood in the urine, pH, fluid balance, and presence of bacteria –Some medications interfere with the color of urine, so your doctor might tell you to stop taking them before the test

Step 3: Tests Blood tests –CBC: complete blood count; used to check for anemia, infection, kidney and liver health –CMP: comprehensive metabolic panel; used to check for organ function and nutritional status –Cholesterol: routine blood test in adults; arrive fasting for the test

When to Call the Doctor The routine physical exam is a great way to spot possible diseases before they start, but “prevention” doesn’t prevent everything Be sure to let your parents know if you have shortness of breath, chest pains, rapid heart beats, fainting, dizziness, vomiting/diarrhea, changes in mental function, mood changes, confusion, persistent headache or neck pain. They can decide if a trip to the doctor is necessary.

Your Turn Find out more about the common diseases and conditions that the medical checkup can spot, including –High or low blood pressure –Overweight and obesity –High cholesterol –Underweight and malnutrition –Anemia –Diabetes