What to Expect During This Visit

    Your doctor and/or nurse will probably:

    Get teens involved in their medical care


    2. Check your teen's blood pressure, vision, and possibly hearing.



    Sleeping. Teens need about 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night. Poor sleep is common during the teen years and can hurt school and athletic performance. Biological changes make teens want to stay up later, but early school start times can make it hard for them to get enough sleep. Encourage your teen to follow a relaxing bedtime routine. Digital devices, like phones and computers, should be turned off before bed.

    Physical activity. Teens should aim for 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Encourage your teen to limit screen time to no more than 2 hours daily, not including time spent on homework. Set a good example by limiting your own screen time and exercising daily.

    Growth and development. By age 15, it's common for teens to:

    • if male, to show signs of pubertal development, including testicular enlargement, penile lengthening, and the growth of pubic hair
    • be influenced by their peer group
    • explore different identities to help them find where they fit in
    • have sexual feelings. This includes an interest in dating and relationships, exploring one's sexuality, and becoming aware of sexual orientation and gender identity.
    • begin to think abstractly and reflect on how to make decisions, but still be impulse-driven and not think about the consequences of their actions
    • want to engage in risky behaviors

    4. Do a physical exam. The doctor will look at the skin, listen to the heart and lungs, check the back for curvature of the spine, and check for puberty development. A chaperone should be present during the exam.


    6. Order tests. Your doctor may assess your teen's risk for anemia, high cholesterol, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

    Looking Ahead

    Here are some things to keep in mind until your teen's next checkup at 16 years:


    2. Encourage your teen to take responsibility for schoolwork. Praise accomplishments and provide support in areas where your teen struggles.
    3. Talk about future college or work plans. If your teen is having trouble in school, find out if bullying, depression, or learning or attention problems are to blame.


    1. Spend time with your teen every day. Share mealtimes, be active together, and talk about things that are important to your teen.
    2. Praise good choices and include your teen in decision-making.
    3. Set rules and explain your expectations. Have fair consequences for rule-breaking.
    4. Encourage your teen to wait until he or she is older to engage in sexual activity with others. Explain the risk of STDs and unwanted pregnancy. If he or she is sexually active, discuss the importance of birth control and condom use.
    6. Explain to your teen the dangers of smoking, vaping, alcohol, and drugs. Talk about prescription drug misuse. Praise your teen for abstaining from these activities.
    8. Encourage your teen to take charge of medical care by learning to schedule doctor's appointments, order prescriptions, and care for any ongoing health problems.


    2. As your teen starts driving, set limits for the number of passengers allowed and what hours he or she may drive. Explain the dangers of texting and other device use while driving.
    3. Talk about the dangers of drinking and driving and tell your teen to never get in a car with someone who has been drinking or using drugs. Instead, let your teen know to always call you for help.
    4. Make sure your teen knows about online safety, cyberbullying, and the wise use of social media.
    6. Talk to your doctor if you're concerned about your living situation. Do you have enough food, a safe place to live, and health insurance? Your doctor can tell you about community resources or refer you to a social worker.

