General Assessment Flashcards
What are the 3 types of stimuli used to assess the level of consiousness of a patient?
- Verbal Stimuli
- Light touch (tactile stimuli)
- Noxious Stimuli (pain)
What are the 3 categories of nutritional status?
- Well-nourished
- Cachectic
- Obese
What 3 types of distress can a patient present with?
- Physical Distress (pain: somatic, cardiac, visceral)
- Respiratory
- Emotional/Psychological
If a patient is in respiratory distress, which position should you avoid during physical exam?
Supine (adds pressure to the chest and makes it more difficult to breathe)
Why is hygiene important to assess?
May equate to self neglect or an inability to care for oneself.
What is the conversion from kg to lbs?
kg x 2.2 = lbs
Ex. 81.8kg x 2.2 = 180 lbs
How do you calculate BMI?
Weight / (Height^2)
kg/m^2
lbs/in^2 x 703
What are the classifications using BMI?
Underweight: < 18.5
Normal: 18.5-24.9
Overweight: 25-29.9
Obese: >30
What 5 things comprise vital signs?
Temp. Pulse Resp. Rate BP Pain
What is the temp conversion between Celsius and Farenheit?
C = (F-32) x 5/9 F = C x 9/5 + 32
What is normal body temp. and what is the most common way to take temperature?
98.2 F or 36.8 C
Oral temperature
(rectal is 1 degree higher than oral)
(axillary is 1 degree lower than oral)
What is being assessed when taking the pulse?
Rate, Rhythm and character
ex. 60 bpm: Regular, strong
What is considered eupnea (normal respiratory rate)?
12-20 breaths per minute
What is an apneustic pattern as opposed to an obstructive pattern in a respiratory assessment?
Apneustic - inspiration longer than expiration (brainstem damage)
Obstructive - exhalation longer than inhalation (asthma, COPD)
What are Cheyne Stokes?
Respiratory pattern with increasing and then decreasing amplitude of respiration with periods of apnea.
