What to expect
Updated health history
Your doctor may ask for an update on new developments and changes in your health history. This may include questions about your job and relationships, medications, allergies, supplements, or any recent surgeries.
Vital sign checks
This includes taking a blood pressure reading and checking your heart rate and respiratory rate. Your blood pressure should be checked at least once every year to once every three years, depending on your history.
Visual exam
Your doctor will review your appearance for signs of any potential conditions. They’ll check the parts of your body that could visually indicate any existing health issues. This includes examining the following:
- head
- eyes
- chest
- abdomen
- musculoskeletal system, such as your hands and wrists
- nervous system functions, such as speech and walking
Physical exams
As the physical exam continues, the doctor will use tools to look in your eyes, ears, nose, and throat. They’ll listen to your heart and lungs. This exam also includes:
- touching, or “palpating,” parts of your body (like your abdomen) to feel for abnormalities
- checking skin, hair, and nails
- possibly examining your genitalia and rectum
- testing your motor functions and reflexes
Laboratory tests
To complete the physical, your doctor may draw blood for several laboratory tests. These can include a complete blood count and a complete metabolic panel (also called a chemistry panel). The panel tests your blood plasma and can indicate any issues that exist in your kidneys, liver, blood chemistry, and immune system. This helps detect irregularities in your body that might indicate a larger problem. Your doctor may request a diabetes screen and a thyroid screen. If you have an increased risk of heart attack, heart disease, or stroke, they may also request a lipid panel (cholesterol test).
Your nurse or doctor will usually start by asking questions about your body, health, daily habits, relationships, and/or sex. It’s really important to be honest — they need to know this stuff to give you the best care. Then they’ll measure your height, weight, and blood pressure, and might give you a physical exam. During your check-up, the doctor or nurse may:
- Give you the HPV vaccine (If Applicable).
- Test you for STDs (if you’ve had any kind of sex). STD testing is usually easy and painless.
- None of these things should be painful. If you feel pain or are uncomfortable during your exam, tell your doctor or nurse — it could be a sign of a problem. Also let your doctor or nurse know if you feel any lumps or notice changes in your testicles.
- You can bring a parent or other adult that you trust to your appointment. They can be in the room with you during your visit if you want. But you also have the right to talk with your doctor or nurse alone — and most of the time, your doctor will keep the info you share private
