Transcript Periodic Health Evaluations

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 60-100 beats per minute;
lower for more athletic individuals
Step 2: Examination
• Head-to-toe check
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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