L1-2: Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Assessment Flashcards
What are 5 assessments that the physio needs to find out before their assessment?
- Medical chart
- Bed chart
- Patient interview
- Physical examination
- (Medical team)
= Identify the patient’s main problems and determine goals of physiotherapy management
What are 6 pieces of information found in the medical chart? What is important when looking at the medical chart?
Ensure I have the correct patient’s chart
- Cross check for correct chart, bed and patient
- Will be found at the hospital station (“nurses” station)
- History of presenting condition (HPC)
- Previous medical history (PMHx) & Medication history (/ Drug history DHx)
- Family history (FHx)
- Social history (SHx)
- Patient examination
- Medical diagnosis & plan
- ± Operation notes (Module 2); Special orders
This information will guide assessment and treatment
What are 2 characteristics of “history of presenting condition (HPC)” in the medical chart?
Onset and course of episode
- Medical (eg. chest infection/exacerbations)
- Surgical (eg. removal of stomach)
What are 5 examples of “previous medical history (PMHx) and Management” in the medical chart?
EXAM QUESTION
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (see ILP1)
- Asthma (see ILP1)
- Cardiovascular disease, Hypertension (see ILP2)
- Diabetes (?Type)
- Systems review
- Respiratory, Cardiac, Neurological, Gastrointestinal, Renal…
What are 5 characteristics of “Social history (SH)” in the medical chart?
- Occupation
- Hobbies
- Family / support
- Home environment
- Stairs
- Functional history
- Mobility aid
- Exercise tolerance
- Eg. Distance before onset of symptoms
What are 5 characteristics of “Patient examination” in the medical chart?
- Chest X-ray (CXR)
- Spirometry (FEV1, FVC)
- Sputum analysis
- M/C/S (micro, culture and sensitivity)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Arterial blood gases (ABG)
- Blood results (FBC, ELFTs)
- Cardiac enzymes
- AFBs (acid fast bacilis) (TB)
- Endoscopy, colonoscopy
What are 3 characteristics of “+/- operation notes” in the medical chart?
- Procedure
- Anaesthesia:
- Anaesthesia time
- Surgical time
- Recovery – any events
- Management:
- Return to ward
- Pain relief
- Initial post-op course
What are 5 characteristics of “+/- special order” in the medical chart?
- Physiotherapy (Eg. refer to physiotherapy)
- Oxygen therapy (device, flow rate)
- Fluid orders (clear, free, thickened, soft, full ; nil by mouth- Possible aspirations)
- Pain relief (oral; epidural; IV; PCA, PCEA)
- Other specific orders (eg, weight-bearing status)
What are 5 characteristics of “medical plan” in the medical chart?
- Medications
- Dose
- Frequency
- Route
- Consider:
- Timing wrt physiotherapy
- Side-effects impact on Ax & Rx
What are 2 characteristics of medical chart enteries (porfolio task, then clinic)?
- Ensure you explain any physio-specific abbreviations the first time in each chart entry, then you can use the (accepted) abbreviation
- Start practicing this skill for simulations, clinical placements & beyond.
What are 7 checklists (pieces of information) in the bed chart? What is important in the bed chart?
- Vital signs
- Pain
- Medications
- Fluid balance
- Blood glucose
- Neurological status (eg. GCS)
- Nil by Mouth

What are 5 vital signs in the bed chart?
- Temperature (normal ~37°)
-
Heart rate (normal ~60-100 beats/min)
- Bradycardia <60 beats/min
- Tachycardia >100 beats/min
-
Blood pressure (normal ~120/80)
- Hypotension ≤ 90/60
- Hypertension ≥ 140/90
-
Respiratory rate (normal ~12-16 breaths/min)
- Bradypnoea <10 breaths/min
- Tachypnoea >20 breaths/min
-
Oxygen:
- Fractional concentration (FiO2) via device (ie, np, MVM)
- ~21% (room air)
- Can have possible nose prongs for icreased FiO2
- Saturation, ie via pulse oximetry (SpO2)
- Fractional concentration (FiO2) via device (ie, np, MVM)
What are 4 example “medication” for Bed chart?
- Respiratory
- Eg.bronco-dilator = ~20-40mins (optimal window)
- Cardiac
- Analgesic
- Antiemetic
Consider:
- timing wrt physiotherapy
- side effects –> impact on Ax & Rx
What are 4 characteristics of “fluid balance” for Bed chart?
- Fluid IN – eg. water, IV
- Fluid OUT – eg. urine
- Balance over 24 hours
- Consider trend
What is a characteristic of “blood glucose” for Bed chart?
Aim for 4-6mmol/L
What are 3 characteristics of “haemoglobin” for Bed chart?
- Men 13-18 g/dL
- Women 11.5-16 g/dL
- *<7 requires transfusion; avoid mobilisation
- Indicators Haemoglobin is too low = at risk of fainting
What is a characteristic of “neurological status” for Bed chart?

Normal respiratory rate (breath) =_____ - _____
Normal body temperature = ______˚ (>____˚ high, ____˚ near death)
12-16
37; 38; 40
What are the 4 characteristics of patient interview? What are the 4 purposes of patient interview?
- What do I already know from the pt’s medical records?
- What do I need to clarify, or gather further info about from the pt?
- Will this info influence my Ax & / or Mx?
- Do I need to ask this question NOW?
- Why do I need to ask each question?
What are 7 pieces of information found in the patient interview? What is important when looking at the patient interview?

What are 2 characteristics of “patient’s main concerns” in the patient interview?
Generally, start with open-ended questions, eg:
- “What do you feel is your main concern?”
- “What troubles you most?”
[This question is approached differently post-surgery]
What are 5 key topics in the patient interview?
EXAM QUESTION
- Breathlessness
- Cough
- Sputum (+ Haemoptysis)
- Wheeze
- Chest pain
*Be flexible to suit patient’s presentation
*Compare current to usual where relevant
What are 4 post-surgery concerns in the patient interview?
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
What are 4 epidural concerns in the patient interview?
- Pins and needles
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Heaviness
- Headache












































