Physical Assessment: Definition, Purpose & What to Expect

A physical assessment is the examination that is typically administered at the beginning of a doctor visit. Nurses and doctors use a variety of techniques and medical equipment when performing a physical assessment.

Reason for Doctor's Visit

• Assessing the reason for visiting the doctor is a key part of the physical examination. A specific complaint can be used to customize the assessment to look for specific conditions. For regular checkups, a general physical assessment focuses on the basics of health.

Gathering Information

• A physical assessment contains two kinds of information: subjective and objective. A patient's feedback is subjective information. A nurse's observations is considered objective information.

Techniques

• Medical professionals use a variety of techniques assess a patient's health. For example, a percussion hammer is used to test reflexes and a tuning fork is used to test hearing acuity.

Significance

• A physical assessment is done so medical professionals can obtain information that will allow for clinical judgment and effective care.

Benefits

• Physical examination at a regular checkup can help a doctor detect disorders or diseases before the conditions become problematic. The earlier a disorder or disease is detected the more likely treatment will be successful.