What to Expect at a Doctor's Visit

"You're going to the doctor," your mom tells you. But why go to the doctor when you're not sick? Regular checkups are a smart idea, these visits happen when you're feeling fine and are sometimes called "well-child" visits because you're well.

These visits give a chance for the doctor to see that you're growing and developing normally and a time for your parents to talk with the doctor about any issues, such as safety or nutrition, so they can help you stay healthy. It will also give you a chance to ask any questions you might have about your health. You might wonder when you will grow taller, how much exercise to get, or if you weigh the right amount.

Step 1: Nurse's Station

A checkup may start when a nurse calls you and your parent from the waiting room. He or she might start by checking your weight and height, as well as your blood pressure and maybe your temperature.

• Blood pressure: This shows how hard your heart is pumping blood throughout your body. A cuff that gets tighter and tighter on your arm is used to measure this. As the air drains out of the cuff, the nurse will watch the numbers to get your reading.

• Body temperature: Using a thermometer, the nurse can find out if your temperature is in the normal range (97 to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit). If it is higher, it means that you have a fever and your body is working to fight off an infection.

• The nurse may check your hearing and vision. If you have trouble with either one of these, you might need to see a hearing specialist or an eye doctor.

All of these numbers, measurements, and test results will go into your medical chart, so the doctor can look them over.

Step 2: Time to Meet the Doctor

The doctor will come in and say hello. He or she will probably ask you some questions, like how you're doing and if you have any problems or concerns. The doctor wants to make sure your body is working just like it should.

What Will the Doctor Be Doing?

• Listening with a stethoscope: The stethoscope lets the doctor hear your heartbeat and the way your lungs sound. Doctors know just how healthy hearts and lungs should sound. If yours doesn't sound quite right, the doctor will want to investigate further.

• Looking in your ears, nose, and throat: Doctors know what healthy ears, noses, and throats should look like. The otoscope lets the doctor get a good look at yours and the light helps spot any problems, like fluid in your ear that could be an infection.


• Looking in your eyes: Doctors know what healthy eyes should look like. The ophthalmoscope lets the doctor see the retina, the light-sensitive part of your eye that sends messages to the brain. Though the doctor is shining a light in your eye, try to keep your eye still so the doctor can get a good look.

• Bopping you with the rubber hammer: This is when the doctor taps your knee and your leg swings up without you doing anything. It's a funny part of the exam, but there's a good reason for it. This tests how well your nerves are carrying messages in your body. When your reflexes respond to the hammer, the doctor knows your nerves can do the important job they have - carrying messages from the brain and spinal cord that tell your body what to do.

• Feeling around your belly: There's a lot of important stuff in your belly - from your stomach to your intestines and liver. Doctors know how healthy bellies should feel and they want to make sure yours feels just right.

• Genital exam: This one might make you feel a little uncomfortable, so it can help if your mom or dad is with you during the exam. Your private parts - the vagina if you're a girl and the penis and testicles if you are a boy - are important body parts. Just like other parts of your body, your doctor will want to make sure there aren't any problems.

• Spine check: Your spinal column is a series of bones along the middle of your back. The spine should be straight. But sometimes, a kid's spine has a curve and some curves are called scoliosis. Small curves usually cause no problems, but for larger curves you may need to get an X-ray or see an orthopedic doctor who specializes in the treatment of scoliosis.


Step 3: Do I Need a Shot?


Shots (or immunizations) protect against diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis, and measles - just to name a few. Kids might worry about needing a shot every time they go to the doctor, but the truth is that kids don't need many shots after they are old enough to go to school.

Last Step: Question and Answer Time

Doctors leave time at the end of a checkup for questions, your mom or dad may want to know how much milk you should be drinking, if it's safe for you to try a certain sport, or when you'll be old enough to stay home alone. These are all important questions and doctors can give parents good advice.

The doctor may have some information he or she wants to share with you, too. For instance, if summer is on the way, the doctor may want to remind you and your parent about safety issues, such as wearing bike helmets, swimming only with adult supervision, and wearing sunscreen.

Don't forget that you can ask questions, too. Even if you feel a little funny or embarrassed, go ahead and ask your question. Doctors have heard it all and you may be surprised to learn that many other kids have asked the same question. By asking questions you'll learn more about the way your body works and how you can take care of something very important - your health!