Teaching Elementary School Health Education/Personal Health and Physical Activity/Physical Examinations

A physical examination is a series of tests that measure health status. Main Points Physical examinations may be performed by a physician with assistance from other health care professionals. A person should have a physical examination at least every two years. -Ideally school-age children should have a physical exam each year. Physical exams are important because they give parents an opportunity to determine their child's growth and development. A physician should be contacted when a person has any of the following symptoms: Shortness of breathe Loss of appetite for no obvious reason Blood in urine Blood in mucus or saliva A constant cough Swelling, stiffness, or aching in the joints Severe pain in any body part Frequent or painful urination Sudden weight gain/loss Dizziness Any warning signs of cancer Any warning signs of heart attach or stroke