Health Assessment Flashcards
Fowler’s Positions
High Fowlers: 80-90 degrees
Fowlers: 45-60 degrees
Semi Fowlers: 30-45 degrees
Low Fowlers” 15-30
Trendelenburg Positions
Trendelenburg: lower extremities higher than the head
Reverse: Lower extremities lower than the head
Modified: Lower extremities and head are above the heart
10 minute assessment
Concise, timely and realistic head to toe assessment; able to notice abnormalities quickly with ongoing practice
Focused Assessment
In-depth assessment about an actual or potential problem focusing on 1 or more body systems, classify further as initial and ongoing
AKA System-specific assessment
Comprehensive Assessment
Provides a holistic information, an overall information of body systems and functional abilities; emotional status; culturual and spiritual beliefs; psychosocial situation; family and community dynamics
Done during admission (initial) assessment
Inspection
Techniques of Physical Assessment
Uses sense of sight with the aid of lighting equipment
Use sense of hearing and smell
Use throughout the physical examination
Pay attention to details (color, size shape, position, symmetry, sounds, odor)
Palpation
Techniques of Physical Assessment
Use sense of touch (light and deep palpation)
Use sensitive parts of the hand to detect different characteristics: Dorsal surface for temp; palm of hand for vibration; thumb at the shin for pitting edema’ finger pads and palmar surface for masses, size pulses, texture and tenderness; fingertips for skin turgor
Percussion
Techniques of Physical Examination
Use sense of hearing
Sound is produced by fingertip tapping through body tissues
Direct and Indirect
Percussion Sounds
Lung: Resonance
Scapula: Flat
Liver: Dull
Stomach: Tympanic
Auscultation
Techniques of Physical Assessment
Sense of hearing
Listen to sounds produced within the body, aided or unaided
Direct and Indirect
General Survey
Appearance & Behavior
Vital Signs
Height and Weight
BMI
Weight. x (height x 2) x 703
Pallor
Unusual Paleness due to reduced oxygen level in the blood
easily observed in the face, buccal mucosa, conjunctivae, nailbeds
For a dark individual, skin becomes yellowish brown/ashen gray
Cyanosis
Bluish Discoloration due to increased amount of deoxygenated blood
Observed in the lips, nail beds, conjunctivae, palms
for dark individuals, assess on areas with less pigmentations
Vitiligo
Loss of pigmentation
Jaundice
Yellowish tinge
Erythema
Redness
Hyperhidrosis
Excessive perspiration
Bromhidrosis
Foul-smelling perspiration
Temperature
Use dorsal surface of the hand
Stage 1 pressure ulcer - skin is warm, erythema is non blanching
Vascularity
Compare PAD (peripheral arterial Disease) vs. CVI (chronic venous insufficiency) in terms of patient's limb skin color and changes Compare hematoma, ecchymosis, purpura and petechiae
Vascularity
Compare PAD (peripheral arterial Disease) vs. CVI (chronic venous insufficiency) in terms of patient's limb skin color and changes Compare hematoma, ecchymosis, purpura and petechiae
Peripheral Artery Disease Skin
Color: Pale Temp: Cool Leg Hair: Absent Edema: None to Mild Sensation: changes Pulses: Deficit Pain when elevating Leg: worsens
Chronic Venous Insufficiency Skin
Color: Bronze Brown Temp: Warm Leg Hair: May be present Edema: Typical Sensation: Normal Pulses: Normal Pain when elevating leg: Improved
Turgor
Grasp a fold of skin on the back of the forearm or sternal area with fingertips and release
Normally skin lifts easily and snaps back immediately while poor skin turgor stays pinched (late sign of dehydration)
Good: Instant Recoil - no dehydration
Poor: 2 Seconds - some dehydration
Tenting: >2 seconds - severe dehydration
Edema
Fluid Buildup in the tissues, direct trauma or venous return impairment
To assess pitting edema, press edematous area firmly with the thumb for several seconds and release
Degree/Depth:
+1 = 2 mm
+2 = 4mm
+3 = 6mm
+4 = 8mm
Primary Lesions
Macule, papule, pustule, vesicle, nodule, tumor, wheal
Secondary Lesions
Scar, keloid, crust, fissure, erosion, excoriation
Skin Cancer
A: Asymmetry ( unevenness)
B: Border (irregularity)
C: Color (black to bluish brown)
D: Diameter (greater than the size of a pencil eraser >6mm)
E: Evolution )mole changing in size, shape or color
Assessing the Head
Palpate the cranial bones: Frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital; note for any deformities
Inspect Facial Features: Note for asymmetry by comparing one side to the other
Inspect the scalp: Separate the hair into 3 areas with a comb and inspect the scalp for any lesions
Palpate the frontal and maxillary sinuses: For frontal sinuses apply pressure with thumb pushing it up on the bony prominence under the brow; maxillary sinus apply pressure on zygomatic bone
Palpate temporomandibular joint: ask patient to open and close mouth while palpating
CN V-Trigeminal
Motor
Instruct to clench teeth and relax; let patient open his mouth while you push it back as patient holding it against all resistance
*Checking the motor nerve- muscle of the jaw, temporalis, masseter and pterygoid
CN V-Trigeminal
Sensory
Wisp cotton on patients face, instruct patient to say now if he felt the wisp; do the same procedure but this time use sharp/dull or hot/cold items; assess for corneal reflex
*Checking sensory nerve to skin of the face
CN VII-Facial
Motor
Look for asymmetry as you instruct patient to smile, frown, show teeth, puff out cheeks, raise eyebrows; instruct patient to close his eye and attempt to open it but letting patient resist the force
*Muscle of facial expression