Medical Evaluation: Classifications and Anticipated Outcomes
Physical examinations are routine tests carried out by healthcare professionals to check for possible diseases or medical conditions, medical issues that may become a problem later on, keep track of changes in a person's physical health, or determine whether a person needs further tests. These exams can vary depending on the reason for the test, but they generally follow a standard procedure.
For females, the Pap test and pelvic exam are diagnostic tests often recommended during physical exams. During a pelvic exam, the person will usually be asked to take off their underwear and lie on the table with their feet in stirrups and a sheet covering their stomach and legs. The doctor or nurse will then perform a visual inspection of the external genitalia for lesions or infections. A speculum is used to examine the vaginal canal and cervix, and a Pap smear is performed to collect cervical cells for screening for cervical cancer and precancerous changes. Bimanual palpation is also carried out to assess the size, shape, and tenderness of the uterus and ovaries.
A skin exam is a test to look for suspicious growths, moles, or other changes that may be a sign of skin cancer. This exam involves a thorough visual and tactile inspection of the skin to look for any abnormalities such as moles, lesions, discoloration, or texture changes.
A breast examination includes both inspection and palpation. The practitioner will visually inspect the breasts for symmetry, shape, skin changes, nipple changes, and any discharge. Palpation involves using the dominant hand to carefully feel the breast tissue in light then deeper pressure motions in circular patterns to detect lumps or masses, checking the nipple for discharge by gentle squeezing. Lymph node palpation examines axillary, infraclavicular, and supraclavicular nodes to assess for size, tenderness, and mobility, given their role in cancer spread.
A clinical breast exam is a test to check for abnormalities in and around the breast area. For males, a digital rectal exam is a diagnostic test commonly used to check for signs of prostate cancer. The healthcare professional will gently insert a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum to inspect the prostate for any abnormalities.
A physical examination is typically carried out in a healthcare professional's office or in a dedicated room in a medical clinic or hospital. The healthcare professional will take a medical history before moving onto the physical exam, asking about past and current diseases or medical conditions, previous operations or medical procedures, past immunizations, any medicines, vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies that the person is currently taking, current signs and symptoms, lifestyle information, such as diet and exercise habits, the use of tobacco and alcohol, and sexual and reproductive history, family history of health conditions or diseases.
It is important for the doctor or nurse to make sure that a person feels comfortable during a physical exam. Other names for a physical include a complete physical exam, a routine physical, and a checkup. In some cases, people undergo physical examinations to check for a particular issue or health condition. In these cases, the healthcare professional may carry out specific tests in addition to or instead of those mentioned above.
[1] Breast Self-Examination Techniques. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/bst/self [2] Pap Test. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/diagnosis/pap-test.html [3] Breast Exam. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/bst/clinical [4] Prostate Exam. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/diagnosis/prostate-exam.html
- A Pap test, a diagnostic tool for women, is often recommended during physical exams to screen for cervical cancer and precancerous changes.
- Obesity, depression, rheumatoid arthritis, and many other health-and-wellness conditions can be predicted using the science of preventive medicine for both mens-health and womens-health.
- A digital rectal exam is a diagnostic test for males, commonly used to check for signs of prostate cancer, which can be associated with health issues like obesity and depression.
- A skin exam is important for detecting early signs of skin cancer, a preventive measure under health-and-wellness.
- During a breast examination, the practitionerpalpates and inspects breast tissue for lumps or masses, which can be linked to cancer, depression, and obesity, especially in womens-health.
- The predictive science of medicine uses a physical examination to monitor changes in a person's physical health and may uncover signs related to cervical cancer, depression, obesity, or rheumatoid arthritis.
