Work Mishap Leads to Physical

Sarah and Nina sat side by side in the clinic waiting room, trying to laugh off the lingering nerves from the minor incident at work. They’d both been nearby when a piece of equipment malfunctioned, sending a few items clattering to the floor. Thankfully, neither of them was hurt, but company policy required them to get a physical exam just to be safe.

The door to the exam room opened, and Dr. Lee, a confident and composed physician, stepped out, giving them a warm smile. “Sarah and Nina?” she asked. “I’ll take you both in for a quick checkup. I understand there was a bit of an equipment mishap?”

“Yes,” Sarah said with a nod, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Nina, ever the optimist, gave a slight grin. “Yeah, no big deal—just protocol,” she added, though her nerves were evident in the slight shake of her voice.

Dr. Lee led them into a private exam room with two chairs. “We’ll go one at a time,” she said with an understanding smile. “Who’d like to go first?”

Nina gestured to Sarah with a smirk. “Go ahead; I know you’ve been dying to get this over with.” Sarah gave her a playful eye roll before climbing onto the exam table.

Step 1: Vitals and General Health Check

  • Dr. Lee moved through the vitals check quickly, taking Sarah’s blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature with efficiency and professionalism. “Everything looks good so far,” Dr. Lee said as she recorded the results, then checked Sarah’s reflexes and vision. Nina observed with a slightly nervous expression, watching as Sarah took each test in stride.
  • “Alright, your turn, Nina,” Dr. Lee said with a gentle smile, gesturing her over.
  • Nina sat on the exam table, trying to relax as Dr. Lee repeated the steps. Nina fidgeted slightly as Dr. Lee took her blood pressure, but the doctor offered a reassuring look. “You’re doing great,” she said warmly, helping Nina feel at ease.

Step 2: Flexibility and Range of Motion

  • Next, Dr. Lee explained that she would check both of their flexibility and range of motion. “Just a standard part of the exam after any workplace incident,” she said.
  • Sarah lifted her arms and stretched forward as Dr. Lee assessed her range, placing gentle hands on her shoulders and back to check for any signs of muscle strain. “All looks well,” Dr. Lee said with a nod.
  • Nina followed suit, slightly more hesitant but eventually following Dr. Lee’s instructions. “Good flexibility, no issues here,” Dr. Lee said, smiling to reassure her. Nina relaxed a little, feeling relieved.

Step 3: Focused Injury Assessment

  • Dr. Lee then moved on to checking specific areas that might have been affected. “Any soreness or bruises from the incident?” she asked.
  • Sarah mentioned she’d bumped her shin when she moved out of the way, so Dr. Lee gently examined the area, checking for any tenderness. “No visible bruising or swelling,” Dr. Lee noted. “Just keep an eye on it, and let us know if you notice any discomfort.”
  • Nina, who had twisted slightly to dodge some equipment, admitted to feeling some tension in her shoulder. Dr. Lee carefully examined her range of motion in that area, gently pressing to see if there was any residual soreness. “A little stiffness, but nothing to worry about,” Dr. Lee assured her. “Just take it easy for a couple of days.”

Step 4: Consultation and Clearance

  • After finishing their individual assessments, Dr. Lee gave both Sarah and Nina a final rundown of her findings. “Everything looks perfectly healthy for both of you,” she said, giving them a warm smile. “No lasting issues from the incident, so you’re cleared to return to work without restrictions.”
  • Both women exhaled in relief, and Sarah gave a small laugh. “Thanks, Dr. Lee. It’s good to know we’re all set,” she said, clearly feeling reassured.

Dr. Lee left them with some tips on stretching and a reminder to report any discomfort if it came up later. Sarah and Nina thanked her, feeling comforted by Dr. Lee’s calm professionalism. As they left the clinic, they felt both grateful for the thorough check-up and a bit more confident in handling any future surprises at work.