The exam varies based on what field the patient is going into but typically consists of:
DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING
Drug and alcohol screening may be included in the physical exam or performed at a different facility. Depending on the test ordered (blood, swab, urinalysis or hair sampling), current or recent use of marijuana, alcohol, amphetamines, opiates, cocaine and other drugs can be determined. Company policy dictates which substances are grounds for withdrawing the employment offer and prospective employees are generally not told which substances will be tested.
SENSORY TESTING
Vision and hearing are directly related to job safety. Sensory aids such as eyeglasses or hearing devices are commonplace and allow unrestricted job performance in many instances, but professions that require color differentiation may require testing for color blindness. Jobs requiring vision or hearing beyond what is possible with corrective devices may require more specialized testing.
MUSCULOSKELETAL TESTS
Basic musculoskeletal tests will be performed to test an individual’s range of motion and reflexes. Jobs that require regular heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, climbing, repetitive motion, physically demanding or hazardous duties may require targeted tests. These include bone density tests to detect osteoporosis, isokinetic or isoinertial assessments to determine anaerobic work capacity for jobs requiring strenuous lifting and physical stamina, or carpal tunnel exams to detect injury for workers doing repetitive motion tasks.
CARDIOVASCULAR AND PULMONARY TESTS
Cursory checks of the heart and lungs with a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff is standard procedure, but more involved tests may be required for physically demanding jobs, especially if current or past issues with these vital systems are indicated in your medical history. Cardiac stress test, electrocardiogram or echocardiogram (EKG/ECG) are common cardiovascular tests physical for work. Spirometry plethysmography and gas diffusion tests show lung capacity, blood/oxygen levels, carbon monoxide diffusion, and other lung functions.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE TESTS
Particularly in the medical field or in jobs requiring close contact with others, testing for infectious diseases such as measles, shingles, tuberculosis, mumps, rubella and hepatitis may be required.
YOUR FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CARE DESTINATION