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High yield items of an annual physical

  1. Family history
  2. Preventative medicine
    1. Vaccinations
    2. Colonoscopy/FIT
    3. Bone mineral density
      1. Take this opportunity to explain how you should try to get as much calcium and vitamin D from tablets, which foods are rich in Ca and vitamin D and approximately how much you need daily
    4. Pap smear
    5. Mammogram
    6. Low dose CT
    7. Take this opportunity to explain the limitations of PSA
  3. Current medications
    1. Provide renewals if necessary
    2. Review polypharmacy
  4. Update smoking and alcohol history
  5. Full functional inquiry
    1. Neurological
    2. ENT
    3. Cardiovascular
    4. Respiratory
    5. Gastrointestinal
    6. Musculoskeletal
    7. Mood/Psychiatry
  6. Physical exam
    1. Measure blood pressure
    2. Listen to heart and lungs (explain what you are listening for and the limitations of the stethoscope)
    3. Palpate the abdomen
    4. Check for leg swelling
    5. Perform a full skin exam (ask patient to disrobe to underwear, use appropriate draping)