Ch 31_ Assessment Flashcards
What are the characteristics of a focused assessment?
- Focuses on certain system(s) in priority
- Typically respiratory or cardiovascular
- Once stable, then proceed with comprehensive
Observing top to bottom, left to right, anterior to posterior describes what action?
Assessing for symmetry
When we perform a comprehensive assessment, we move from _____ to _____ invasive unless there is ____, which requires priority attention.
least, most, pain
What are the 4 techniques of physical assessment?
Briefly describe each.
- Inspection; what you see
- Palpation; what you feel with light, then deep touching
- Percussion; vibrations heard by tapping a region; indicates location size density of structures; more of an advanced MD or NP method
- Auscultation; what you hear
What is erythema?
Superficial reddening of the skin, usually in patches, as a result of injury or irritation causing dilatation of the blood capillaries.
What is vitiligo?
A long-term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment (hypopigmentation).
What types of things can be indicated by observing the color of the skin?
- Adequate blood perfusion
- Erythema
- Cyanosis
- Jaundice
How is cyanosis observed and what does it indicate?
- Blueish skin
- Observed at the mouth or mucus membranes
- Low oxygen
- Late sign of hypoxia
How is jaundice observed and what does it indicate?
- Yellowish hue in skin or sclera
- Indicates liver issues
What are some skin observations that can indicate hydration issues?
- Dryness
- Dried lips
- Sunken neck
- Turgor
What are the 6 general items being observed while assessing the skin?
- Color
- Moisture
- Temperature
- Texture
- Integrity
- Turgor
When observing edema, a deeper level indicates…
fluid excess
How are the grades of edema documented?
(give depth as well)
- +1 = 2mm
- +2 = 4mm
- +3 = 6mm
- +4 = 8mm
- *there is nothing greater than +4 on this scale,
- *+8 does not exist)
When checking for melanoma, how is “ABCDE” utilized?
- A = Asymmetry; not uniform
- B = Border; irregularity; ragged edges
- C = Color; not uniform; blue-black; white-gray; red
- D = Diameter; greater than a pencil eraser
- E = Evolving ; changing in appearance
Descibe a Macule
- Flat, nonpalpable change in skin color
- smaller than 1cm
- ex. freckle
Describe a Papule
- Palpable, circumscribed, solid elevation in skin
- smaller than 1cm
- a small mole
Describe a Nodule:
- growth of abnormal tissue.
- Nodules can develop just below the skin. They can also develop in deeper skin tissues or internal organs.
- a general term to describe any lump underneath the skin that’s at least 1 centimeter in size or larger
- ex. wart
Describe a wheal
- Irregularly shaped, elevated area or superficial localized edema
- Varies in size
- Ex. hive or misquito bite
Describe a vesicle
- Raised lesion filled with serous fluid
- ex. blister
Describe Pustule
- Circumscribed elevation of skin smaller to vesicle
- filled with pus
- ex. acne, staphylococcal infection
What does PERRLA stand for?
P = Pupil
E = Equal
R = Round
R = Reactive
L = Light
A = Accomodation (constriction of pupil when close, relaxation when light taken away
Pupil dilation indicates
neurological issues
Eye coordination is the responsibility of which cranial nerve?
III; Occulomotor
The tympanic membrane is usually ____ in color
pearly gray
A bulging red tympanic membrane indicates…
infection
The weber test evaluates _____ hearing.
conductive (bone)
The Rinne test evaluates ______ hearing.
sensory
Describe Weber test.
- Tuning fork is used
- Placed at top of head equally distanced from each ear
- When fork struck, patient should hear in both equally
- If patient indicates they hear in one ear better, THAT ear is the effected ear
Describe Rinne test.
- Uses tuning fork
- Strike fork and place on mastoid process behind ear
- When patient indicates they don’t hear it anymore, move it in front of the ear and have them indicate when they no longer hear it
- Result should be twice as long as on the mastoid process
Which cranial nerves control eye movement?
- CN III: Oculomotor
- CN IV: Trochlear
- CN VI: Abducens
What does CN VI control?
Lateral plane eye movement
What does CN IV control?
downward-medial movement
What does CN III control?
- Upward lateral/medial movement
- Inward-medial movement
- Downward-lateral movement
- PERRLA
Palpable lymph nodes are indicative of _____.
infection
If infection is suspected, what test is ordered?
- CBC
- Complete Blood Count
What is the order of examination when assessing the lungs?
- Inspection; visual
- Palpation; feel; light, then deep
- Auscultation; listen
What can be observed a visual sign of respiratory distress?
- Irregular breathing patterns
- Using accessory muscles to breathe
- Cyanosis at lips/muscous membranes
When assessing the posterior thoracic area of a patient, what “lines” are used?
- Left/Right scapular line
- Vertebral line
When assessing the lateral thorasic area of a patient, what “lines” are used?
- Posterior axillary line
- Midaxillary line
- Anterior axillary line
When assessing the anterior thorax of a patient, what “lines” are used?
- Midsternal line
- Midclavicular line
- Anterior axillary line
How does one test for chest excursion?
- Wrap hands around waste of patient
- Place thumbs on either side of the spine
- If there is separation of the thumbs on inhalation, there is chest excursion
Consolidation in the thorax is…
the accumulation of fluids in the pleural space
What is Egophony?
How is it assessed?
An increased resonance of voice sounds heard when auscultating the lungs, often caused by lung consolidation and fibrosis.
While auscultating lungs, have patient say “E”. If it sounds like “A”, it indicates egophony and positive for consolidation.
What are abnormal lung sounds called?
Adventitious