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Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Approach to the Physical Assessment

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Outcomes
Discuss the purpose of the physical assessment. Differentiate a complete from a focused physical assessment. Differentiate nursing physical assessment from medical physical assessment. Identify the tools used during a physical assessment.

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Outcomes
Define physical assessment techniques. Demonstrate physical assessment techniques. Discuss variations in approaches for different age groups. Define the components of the physical assessment.

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Purpose
Provides an objective data base Identifies actual/potential health problems Identifies patients strengths Validates history data

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Types of Physical Assessment


Complete Focused Which type do you do? Reason for performing examination Patients condition Amount of time

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Components
General survey Measurements
Vital signs Height Weight

Head-to-toe, including all systems

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Assessment Tools
Thermometer Doppler Pen light Otoscope Stethoscope Visual acuity charts Ophthalmoscope Nasoscope

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Assessment Tools
Transilluminator Tape measure Goniometer Triceps skinfold calipers Ruler Scale Tongue depressor

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Assessment Tools
Cotton balls Cup of water Safety pins or toothpicks Substances for smell and taste Test tubes Coin Gloves

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Assessment Tools
Lubricant Specula Cytology brush and scraper Slides Hemoccult test

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Physical Assessment Techniques


Inspection Palpation Percussion Auscultation

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Inspection
Types Direct, indirect Senses Sight, smell What can inspection tell you?
Surface characteristics Symmetry Gross abnormalities or signs of distress Unusual odors

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Palpation
Types Senses Single-handed, bimanual Touch
Light: < 1/2 inch Deep: > 1/2 inch Ballottement: used to assess partially free-floating objects

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Parts of Hand Used for Palpation


Dorsal aspect
Best for temperature

Balls & ulnar surface of hand


Best for vibrations

Fingertips
Best for fine sensations

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Palpation
What can palpation tell you? Light
Surface characteristics

Deep
Organs, masses, tenderness

Ballottement
Size, shape of free-floating objects

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Percussion
Types
Direct (immediate) Indirect (mediate) Fist or blunt

Senses
Touch Hearing

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Percussion
What can percussion tell you? Direct or indirect
Density (air, fluid, solid) Size and shape Tenderness Deep tendon reflexes

Fist or blunt
Tenderness

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Auscultation
Types Direct, indirect: stethoscope Senses Hearing What can auscultation tell you?
Heart sounds Lung sounds Bowel sounds Vascular sounds

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Approach to Assessment
System or region Be systematic. Minimize position change. Expose only the area being assessed.

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Approach to Assessment
Explain as you go. Share findings with patient and teach. Ensure privacy and confidentiality. Consider developmental level of patient. Consider cultural background of patient.

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

General Survey
Age: actual and apparent Race Level of consciousness Obvious abnormalities or signs of distress Gender Affect Dress Speech Posture

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Vital Signs and Anthropometric Measurements


Temperature Respirations Height Pulse Blood pressure Weight

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Head-to-Toe Physical Assessment


Integumentary Breast Cardiovascular Musculoskeletal Genitourinary/reprodu ctive HEENT Respiratory Gastrointestinal Neurological

Nursing Health Assessment, 2nd Edition

Documentation
Accurately Concisely Objectively Record by systems Chart pertinent negatives

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