What types of physical examinations are done?
They are common examinations that you might have as a real patient in a doctor’s office. For example, examinees may listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope; press on your abdomen, looking for tenderness or swelling; look into your eyes, ears, and throat; take your blood pressure; assess your muscle strength; check your reflexes; or check your pulses. Female breast examinations are not permitted. However, examinees may ask female SPs to loosen or move their bras to listen to the heart. Occasionally, some exposure of the breast may occur, and a portion of the breast area might be touched. Examinees are urged to use a drape during the examination, but not all are skilled at this. The doctors do not perform rectal examinations, genital examinations (including “pelvic” examinations), or corneal reflex tests. They are told that these examinations are not allowed. None of the examinations involve taking blood or other samples. You would not be given any drugs.
