When going into a physical exam, healthcare consumers should know its essential elements. A thorough physical examination covers head to toe and usually lasts about 30 minutes. It measures important vital signs — temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate — and evaluates your body using observation, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. Observation includes using instruments to look into your eyes, ears, nose, and throat. Your doctor will look at skin color, and lesions, and note any hygienic issues. If symptoms or medical history indicate the need, they may examine other parts of your body. Your doctor will palpate — touch — certain parts of your body, feeling for unusual lumps, checking organ size and shape, and checking responses. By placing one hand over your abdomen and tapping it with the other, the doctor is relying on percussion to determine organ location, identify blockages, and pinpoint any problem areas. Reflexes are checked with the use of a small rubber hammer. Auscultation involves the use of a stethoscope to listen to your heart, lungs, and bowels.