DQ NURS 680B Getting a Physical Examination
DQ NURS 680B Getting a Physical Examination
Select one of the following case studies to address. In the subject line of your post, please identify which prompt you are responding to, for example, choice #2 19-year old male.
A 22-year old obese female with irregular menses reports she and her partner have been trying to get pregnant for 18 months without success.
A 30-year old woman of 28 wks gestation reports inability to feel her baby move for the past 2 hours.
A 27-year old woman of 35 wks gestation with gestational diabetes reports having headache for the last day that will not go away.
For the case you have chosen, post to the discussion:
Discuss what questions you would ask the patient, what physical exam elements you would include, and what further testing you would want to have performed.
In SOAP format, list:
Pertinent positive and negative information
Differential and working diagnosis
Treatment plan, including: pharmacotherapy with complementary and OTC therapy, diagnostics (labs and testing), health education and lifestyle changes, age-appropriate preventive care, and follow-up to this visit.
Use at least one scholarly source other than your textbook to connect your response to national guidelines and evidence-based research in support of your ideas.
In your peer replies, please reply to at least one peer who chose a different case study.
A routine physical examination ensures that you stay in good health. A physical can also be a preventive step. It allows you to catch up on vaccinations or detect a serious condition, like cancer or diabetes, before it causes problems. During a routine physical, your doctor can also check vitals, including weight, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Your doctor will use a physical exam to see how your body is performing. Depending on your personal health history, your doctor may choose to focus on certain areas.
If you have a family history of heart disease, for example, you may receive additional blood pressure checks, blood tests, and diabetes and cholesterol screenings.
DQ NURS 680B Getting a Physical Examination
Based on test results, age, and personal health history, the exam is also an opportunity to discuss future prevention measures with your doctor.
An average physical exam may include the following:
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).