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Physical Exam Prep Checklist
What to gather, ask and avoid before an annual physical, including which blood tests are ordered.
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Many providers want bloodwork done before the visit, so ask which blood tests your provider has ordered. Advocate gives eight to 12 hours without food or drink for blood tests that require fasting, or as your provider directs. The rest is mostly gathering: medications with doses, family history, symptoms and questions get written down before the day, on paper or in a phone app. Cleveland Clinic puts a physical at about 30 minutes and says most providers recommend one each year. This list covers preparing for an adult annual physical. It leaves out sports and pre-employment forms beyond a reminder, and your own doctor's instructions come first.
Why these items are on the list
- Ask which blood tests are ordered. Many providers want bloodwork done before the visit so you can review results together.
- Confirm fasting instructions. Advocate gives eight to 12 hours for fasting blood tests, or as your provider directs.
- Finish overdue screenings. Bloodwork or a mammogram done first gives your provider more to discuss at the visit.
- Write your medication list. Include supplements and exact doses. A photo of each label works if you are short on time.
- Flag prescriptions needing refills. Cleveland Clinic suggests identifying these before you go.
- List your allergies. Write them down so they are in front of you during the visit.
- Gather family health history. Diagnoses in parents, grandparents, siblings and children count; you may need to ask relatives first.
- Note changes since last exam. New vaccines, diagnoses or surgeries should be raised so your provider can update your record.
- Describe any symptoms. Note what they are, when they occur, how long they last and what relieves them.
- Collect home readings. Share any blood pressure, food or sleep logs you keep, and readings your provider asked you to track.
- Bring earlier test results. Lab work, films and reports from prior tests.
- List your other care providers. Names, addresses and phone numbers; say if you want reports sent to them.
- Write down your questions. They are hard to recall in the moment. A paper list or a phone note both work.
- Pack photo ID and insurance card. A driver's license, passport or government ID verifies your insurance.
- Complete medical forms. Your provider may let you complete forms and upload documents online before the appointment.
- Bring sports or employer forms. For a sports or pre-employment physical, Cleveland Clinic says to bring paperwork from your coach or employer for signing.
- Consider bringing a support person. They can remind you what to ask and help you remember what the doctor says.
- Ask about an interpreter. Ask your office whether language help is available before the day.
- Skip alcohol beforehand. It is on Advocate's list of things that could skew test results.
- Avoid caffeine within an hour. Advocate advises none within an hour of your visit, as it could skew results.
- Avoid a high-fat meal. Skip it before any blood tests; it may give your provider an inaccurate picture.
- Avoid cold medicine beforehand. Advocate lists it among things to avoid if you are feeling under the weather.
- Wear easy-to-remove clothing. You may need to change into a medical gown.
Keep it open on your phone while you gather things, and add questions as they come to mind. Check with your doctor about anything specific to you.
When to use it
Use it once an annual or routine physical is booked, and ask which blood tests are ordered before the day.