CH 8 Assessment Techniques and Safety in the Clinical Setting

Question 1

Physical Examinations (4 basic methods)

Answer 1

1. Inspection (“concentration watching”)
   
   • observation
   • ALWAYS the FIRST step
   • can be down w/o touching the patient in some areas
2. Palpation
   
   • touch
   • light AND deep palpation depending on system
3. Percussion
   
   • tapping patient’s skin to listen for audible vibrations
     - can signal density of a structure (air, fluid, solid)
4. Auscultation
   - listening to sounds, usually with stethoscope which blocks out extra noise

Question 2

Stethoscope (identify parts + best way to use)

Answer 2

• ALWAYS LISTEN ON SKIN for best assessment
• Fit: slope of earpiece should always face inward, towards nose
• Bell: for soft, low-pitched sounds (smaller side)
• Diaphragm: for high-pitched sounds (larger/flatter side)

Question 3

Equipment (six types)

Answer 3

1. Otoscope (use light to look into ear canal)
2. Ophthalmoscope (use light for internal eye structure)
3. Reflex Hammer (for involuntary reflex response)
4. Sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff)
5. Tuning Fork (resonates to determine hearing deficiencies)
6. Pulse Oximeter (reads blood oxygen saturation and HR)

Question 4

Type of Thermometer (five types)

Answer 4

1. Oral (most commonly used)
2. Rectal (most accurate but most invasive/last resort)
3. Axillary (secondary to oral)
4. Tympanic (mostly used at home or in primary)
5. Temporal (mostly used at home or in primary)