Some patients may not want to have an exam, and others may be uncomfortable having a test administered on them. A nurse or physician should be able to assist you through this process, but they do not necessarily have to participate in the exam.
There are two common types of proctored exams. First, they can be performed by the nurse or physician themselves. A nurse or physician performing a proctored exam may ask you to submit to a complete physical examination. The physician will then recommend certain tests depending on the information given.
This method of administering a proctored exam has been widely criticized as inaccurate and potentially harmful to patients. Often a patient who has had a proctored exam will feel pressured themselves about how much of a physical exam they should undergo. While a nurse or physician may be the best person to administer this exam, there are still individuals who have concerns.
A second common type of proctored exam is performed with laparoscopic procedures. Laparoscopy is an outpatient procedure that does not require the participation of the patient. Instead, the physician inserts a camera into the patient through an incision in the abdominal cavity. The video and imaging taken by the camera are then sent electronically to a computer for analysis.
During a laparoscopic procedure, the physician may perform a series of x-rays and/or other procedures in order to determine the state of the patient’s abdomen. They can also place a device through the mouth of the patient that allows the physician to obtain vital signs. Once the findings are reviewed by the physician, they may recommend additional tests. Sometimes these tests will be completely separate from the initial one, and sometimes they will be conducted concurrently.
It is important for patients who have undergone a proctored exam to make sure that their health care provider is notified of any changes in their body, including swelling or bruising that may occur after the exam. Some patients may become embarrassed or distressed by the fact that their bodies change during a process. The physician will need to know the patient’s history and any pre-existing conditions prior to performing the exam. This allows the physician to make the proper diagnosis for the body’s current condition.
For those who have a concern that the exam may have been mis-administered, there are steps that can be taken to remedy this. If a nurse or physician feels that the exam was not performed accurately, they should notify a supervisor or department head so corrective actions can be taken. They should also review the policies and procedures at their facility to ensure that this situation does not occur in the future.
There may be situations when a patient will be prescribed medication or even surgery to alleviate symptoms from a laparoscopic procedure. It is important to remember that many patients who have had this procedure report feeling better within a few days of the procedure. If the symptoms do not subside, however, a doctor will most likely want to perform another examination. This is why it is important to be aware of what medications or procedures the physician has available to relieve the symptoms.
In most cases, a patient will feel better within a couple of days after a laparoscopic procedure. There are times when this feeling tends to last a long time. This is something to think about if a nurse or physician suspects that the patient has a serious or life-threatening problem. If symptoms persist after the second visit, the patient may need further testing or be evaluated by a specialist.
Proctored exams are often recommended by physicians when a person has symptoms that interfere with their daily activities. These can be a pain in the stomach, discomfort in the chest or back or problems breathing. Because the procedure involves the introduction of a camera into the abdomen, it can be dangerous to perform without knowing the full extent of the symptoms. A nurse or physician may need to perform a laparoscopic exploration to determine what the problem is and then suggest further treatment options.
In some cases, a nurse or physician may recommend a course of treatment for the patient and then give the patient a laparoscopic examination and suggest that the patient follow through with it based on the results of the examination and recommendation. The patient may not feel comfortable with certain treatments and therefore ask for more information. The physician may also discuss the results of the examination with the patient and offer alternatives to treatment based on the examination results.
