E221 A medical examination

The annual health checkup (physical) is performed by the family doctor (physician), who is usually a general practitioner. If needed, he or she can refer the patient to a specialist for a more in-depth examination.

Nurse: Please step on the scale. We’ll check your height and weight.

Nurse: Please have a seat and roll up your sleeve, we’ll take your blood pressure and heart rate. Just extend your arm and relax.

Nurse: Please put on the gown and wait here. The doctor will be with you shortly.

Doctor: I need to listen to your heart and lungs with this stethoscope. Please take a deep breath and hold it… You can breathe normally now.

Doctor holds patient’s tongue with a tongue depressor.

Doctor: Say “A”.

Doctor:  I’m going to check your thyroid glands, tell me if it hurts. 

Doctor: I’m going to check your ears, please turn this way.

Doctor: I will now check your skin for moles.

Doctor: Everything looks normal. I will give you a prescription (requisition) for a routine blood and urine test, plus a chest X-ray, an abdominal ultrasound scan, and a pulmonary function test. If there is something unusual, we will call you within 10 days to schedule a follow-up examination; if you don’t hear from us within that time, we will see you in a year.