A full physical exam typically involves a thorough review of the patient’s medical history, a comprehensive physical evaluation, and several diagnostic tests and imaging, depending on what the doctor finds in the medical history review and physical evaluation. The medical history review will either take place in discussion with the patient and the doctor or medical provider conducting the physical or through a questionnaire form that the patient can fill out. The topics of conversation or on the form will most likely include questions about the following: • Allergies to food, medication, or other substances • Chronic or serious illnesses among the various members of your family • General health concerns • Medications that you regularly take, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications, prescription medications, and nutritional or herbal supplements, and the conditions you take them for • Pre-existing or underlying medical conditions • Previous hospitalizations or surgeries For the physical evaluation portion of a full physical exam, the doctor or medical provider will examine various vital signs, organ functions, and the health of your neuromusculoskeletal system, including your joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. With that in mind, they will assess such things as the following: • Abdominal irregularities through palpation (medical technique of using one’s hands or fingers to assess disease, injury, or pain location) • Blood pressure • Body temperature • Bone, muscle, and soft tissue strength • Hearing and vision screening • Heart and lung health or function • Heart rate or pulse • Height and weight • Joint and soft tissue flexibility, range of motion, and reflexes • Laryngoscopy, using a small mirror and light to look at the back of the throat, larynx, and vocal cords • Respiratory rate Depending on what your doctor or medical provider finds up to this point, they may also order a few diagnostic tests or imaging to be run, such as the following: • Blood tests • Computerized tomography (CT) scan • Digital X-ray imaging • Medical resonance imaging (MRI) • Urinalysis