Along with immunizations and proper nutrition, physical exams are an important and beneficial part of any preventive care plan. The medical team at Southern Nevada Pediatric Center in Las Vegas knows that physical exams can reveal valuable information about current health, helping your pediatrician address individual medical concerns, assist in achieving a diagnosis, and boost wellness. From school and sports physicals to pre-operative physical exams, you and your child can expect top-quality pediatric care at Southern Nevada Pediatric Center. Call or click to schedule today.
Physicals Q & A
What is a physical?
Physical exams are a key part of your child’s general preventive care check-up. Physicals can also be used to assess certain medical concerns.
Physicals are focused on evaluating and improving wellness. The Southern Nevada Pediatric Center physicians usually recommend annual physicals for your child that involve reviewing personal and family medical histories, an in-depth discussion about your child’s current health, a physical assessment, and plenty of time for questions. Certain testing might also be recommended.
The Southern Nevada Pediatric Center provides different types of physicals, including school, sports, and pre-operative physical exams, and any necessary immunizations and other valuable preventive health care treatments.
Why would my child need a physical?
Your Southern Nevada Pediatric Center providers might recommend a physical to:
- Check for possible diseases
- Update any necessary immunizations
- Identify concerns that might develop into health complications in the future
Your child might need a physical exam before a surgery or prior to treatment for a medical condition.
Physicals also help your Southern Nevada pediatrician to make sure your child is maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and proper stress management.
How can my child prepare for a physical?
Preparing for your child’s physical allows you to make the most of your time with your pediatrician. You should bring information or paperwork to demonstrate:
- Your child’s current list of medications, if any
- A list of your child’s symptoms
- Any relevant recent test results
- Your child’s medical and surgical history
- The names and contact information of other doctors your child has visited recently
Make sure your child is dressed in comfortable appropriate clothing.
What does a physical involve?
A physical usually begins with a discussion of your child’s health, a quick assessment of your child’s height, weight, and pulse, and a brief inspection of your child’s body to look for any unusual growths or marks.
Your pediatrician might assess your child’s abdomen and other areas of the body to check the consistency, texture, size, location, and tenderness of your child’s organs. Your pediatrician might use a technique called percussion — gently tapping on the body like a drum to discover fluids and assess organs.
Your pediatrician most likely uses a special medical instrument called a stethoscope to listen to certain body parts and assess how well they function, such as your child’s lungs, intestines, and heart.
Your pediatrician might also recommend testing for blood sugar levels, inflammatory markers, and other key indicators of health.
If you’d like to book a physical exam, call Southern Nevada Pediatric Center or schedule online.