How do I prepare for a wellness exam?

Asked by: Gilda Boyer  |  Last update: December 1, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (42 votes)

Bring these items to your visit:
  1. Immunization records.
  2. A list of current prescribed medicines, supplements and over-the-counter medications.
  3. A list of your patient care team—any specialists you see for various types of care.
  4. Be prepared to review your family medical history.

What not to do before a wellness check?

What not to do before a physical exam
  1. Consuming alcohol.
  2. Drinking caffeine within an hour of your visit.
  3. Eating a high-fat meal before bloodwork.
  4. Eating or drinking anything for eight to 12 hours, or as directed by your provider, before bloodwork that requires a fast.
  5. Taking cold medicine if you're feeling under the weather.

Can I drink water before a wellness exam?

Guidelines for Fasting Before a Physical Exam

Avoid eating any food or drinking any beverages (except water) for a specific period of time before the exam. This period of time is typically overnight, ranging from 8 to 12 hours. Continue to drink water during the fasting period to stay hydrated.

What questions are asked during a wellness exam?

During a medical examination, your doctor will inquire about your family's medical history, prior illnesses or surgeries, and any present symptoms or health worries. Although doctors ask about your family's past illnesses, your family's medical history may have altered since your last appointment.

What do they check for a wellness exam?

Review your blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight and body mass index (BMI). Review your current health problems, as well as your medical, surgical, family and social histories. Review your current medications. Conduct a health risk assessment.

What to Expect During a Wellness Exam | Planned Parenthood Video

37 related questions found

How to prepare for a wellness exam?

5 Ways to Prepare for an Annual Physical Exam
  1. #1: Write down current health problems and allergies. Before a physical, take inventory of the current health situation. ...
  2. #2: Review health history. ...
  3. #3: Research what health insurance covers. ...
  4. #4: Collect the names of specialists. ...
  5. #5: Prepare any questions or health goals.

What is considered an abnormal finding on a wellness exam?

Abnormal finding represents any non-clinically significant abnormal symptoms/disease that have been newly diagnosed or have worsened since last visit (or since informed consent for baseline visit).

What does a women's wellness exam consist of?

Physical Exam

Height and weight measurement. Blood pressure check. A breast exam to check for changes in skin texture, shape, nipple discharge and lumps. Pelvic exam to check for labia, vaginal, cervical, uterine and ovarian abnormalities.

What are the three words to remember for a medicare wellness exam?

Word recollection (Banana, Sunrise, Chair) Have patient repeat the 3 words, tell them to remember them.

What prompts a wellness check?

This is also known as a wellness check. The goal is to get physical eyes on a person who has consistently been unreachable. Friends, family members, or neighbors are most likely to initiate a welfare check. They do this when a person fails to respond to typical phone calls or texts.

Is bloodwork part of a wellness visit?

Does a Wellness Exam Include Blood Work? Yes, a wellness exam can include blood work. However, it's important to note that the specific tests conducted during a wellness exam may vary from person to person.

What can throw off a cholesterol test?

You have to fast for about 10 hours before the test because triglyceride levels can shoot up 20%–30% after a meal, which would throw off the equation. Alcohol also causes a triglyceride surge, so you shouldn't drink alcohol for 24 hours before a fasting cholesterol test.

What not to do before an annual physical exam?

Drinking Alcohol

Alcohol can affect liver function tests, blood pressure, and other vital signs. Avoid drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours before your physical exam. This will ensure accurate results and help your healthcare provider make informed decisions about your health.

How do you pass a wellness test?

6 Ways To Prepare For Your Wellness Screening
  1. Fast Eight Hours If Possible. Unless directed otherwise by your doctor, fasting is one of the best ways to ensure accurate results. ...
  2. Stay Hydrated. ...
  3. Avoid Alcohol. ...
  4. Take Prescribed Medications. ...
  5. Manage Your Stress. ...
  6. Review Program Details.

Do they do blood work at a wellness check?

Wellness Check Contents: A wellness check typically includes an assessment of general health, lifestyle, family history, and a physical examination. Inclusion of Blood Work in Wellness Exams: Blood work is not always a standard part of a wellness exam but may be included based on individual health needs.

Can I eat before a wellness exam?

While it may be tempting to grab a quick bite before your physical, medical professionals advise that you refrain from eating beforehand. By doing so, you will ensure an accurate and efficient examination, benefitting both your health and your assessment.

What does a full wellness exam include?

Review your blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight and body mass index (BMI). Review your current health problems, as well as your medical, surgical, family and social histories. Review your current medications. Conduct a health risk assessment.

Can I refuse a wellness exam?

Since Medicare's AWV is not mandatory, you can refuse this service if your doctor offers it to you.

What not to do before a well-woman exam?

Refrain from sex for two to three days before your exam to enable the Pap smear to return the most accurate results. Avoid using vaginal medicines, creams, powders, birth control foams, douches, or tampons in the two or three days before your appointment for the same reasons as above.

What is not included in a wellness exam?

Bloodwork, X-rays, and lab tests

Bloodwork, X-rays, lab tests, and any other medical biometric data collection are explicitly not covered under Medicare's Annual Wellness Visit. These ancillary procedures are often performed in conjunction with an annual physical or a sick visit.

At what age does a woman no longer need a gynecologist?

Women over age 65 can stop getting screened if they've had at least three consecutive negative Pap tests or at least two negative HPV tests within the previous 10 years, according to the guidelines. But women who have a history of a more advanced precancer diagnosis should continue to be screened for at least 20 years.

Does a women's wellness exam include a Pap smear?

Depending on your age and other factors, you'll have HPV and/or Pap tests to check for early signs that cervical cancer could develop. At age 25, you'll also start having clinical breast exams to screen for breast cancer.

What does Z00 mean?

Z00 Encounter for general examination without complaint, suspected or reported diagnosis. (Except: Z00. 6 Encounter for examination for normal comparison & control in clinical research program) Z01 Encounter for other special examination without complaint, suspected or reported diagnosis.

What do they test for in a wellness screening?

Wellness exams are important for anyone at any age.

*It can include comprehensive blood tests to check for anemia, infections, certain cancers, kidney/liver function, cholesterol, diabetes, thyroid disease and other common conditions.