Physical Assessment Flashcards
What is the Glasgow Coma Scale?
A standardized scale that uses a point system for eye opening, verbal, and motor response to assess a patient’s level of consciousness.
What is the Glasgow Coma Scale point system for eye opening response?
4pts - Spontaneous, opens with blinking at baseline.
3pts - to verbal stimuli, command, speech
2pts - to pain only (not applied to face 0
1pt - no response
What is the Glasgow Coma Scale point system for verbal response?
5pts - oriented 4pts - confused conversation, but able to answer 3pts - inappropriate words 2pts - incomprehensible speech 1pt - no repsonse
What is the Glasgow Coma Scale point system for motor response?
6pts - obeys commands for movement
5pts - Purposeful movement to painful stimulus
4pts - withdraws in response to pain
3pts - flexion in response to pain (decorticate posturing)
2pts - extension in response to pain (decerebrate posturing)
1pt - no response
What does bilateral edema generally indicate?
fluid volume excess or venous insufficiency
What might unilateral edema indicate?
inflammation, venous thromboembolism, or lymphedema
What is the point system for edema?
+1 - 2mm
+2 - 4mm
+3 - 6mm
+4 - 8mm
How do you test cranial nerves V (trigeminal) and VII (facial)?
ask the patient to bite down and feel for contraction of the temporal muscle and the masseter muscle (in front of the ear). Check the sensory branch of cranial nerve V by having the patient close his eye and report when he feels light touch to his forehead, each cheek, and his chin with cotton.
What does PerrLa stand for?
Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation
How can you tell if cranial nerves IX and X or intact?
the uvula will rise and the patient can swallow
What is the normal range of respiratory for a resting adult?
12-20 breaths per min
What are the characteristics of respiration that are routinely assessed?
respiratory rate
ventilatory depth
ventilatory rhythm
lung sounds
What position should the patient be in for a respiratory exam?
in a comfortable position either sitting or lying with the head of the bed elevated 45-60 degrees.
What would you document following a respiratory exam?
Respiratory rate, depth, and rhythm in nurse’s notes or vital sign flow sheet
SpO2 value and type of O2 on nurse’s notes or iata sigh flow sheet
Document any abnormalities in nurse’s notes and report to nurse in charge or health care provider immediately
(ex. 16 breaths per min; regular rhythm; normal depth, lung sounds clear/normal; 98% RA)
What are some abnormal breathing characteristics to assess for?
nasal flaring/grunting/pursed lip breathing
trachea position (midline; deviated right or left)
Accessory muscles usage (skin being sucked in between clavical and ribs)
Retractions (entire rib cage excessively in and out)
Cough (productive/ non productive)
What is the normal range of respiratory for a resting child?
20-30 breaths per min
What is the normal range of respiratory for a resting newborn?
30-60 breaths per min
What are the breathing characteristics of apnea?
respirations cease for several seconds. Persistent cessation results in respiratory arrest.
What are the breathing characteristics of Cheyne-Stokes?
Respiratory rate and depth are irregular, characterized by alternating periods of apnea and hyperventilation. Respiratory cycle begins with slow, shallow breaths that gradually increase to abnormal rate and depth. The pattern reverses; breathing slows and becomes shallow, concluding as apnea before respirations resumes.
What are the breathing characteristics of dyspnea?
shortness of breath
What are the breathing characteristics of eupnea?
normal, good, unlabored breathing, sometimes known as quiet breathing or resting respiratory rate
What are the breathing characteristics of Orthopnea?
shortness of breath (dyspnea) that occurs when lying flat, causing the person to have to sleep propped up in bed or sitting in a chair
What are the breathing characteristics of Kussmaul?
respirations are abnormally deep, regular, and increased in rate
What are the breathing characteristics of Tachypnea?
rate of breathing is regular but abnormally rapid (greater than 20 breaths pre min)
What are the breathing characteristics of Bradypnea?
rate of breathing is regular but abnormally slow (less than 12 breaths per min)
What are the four questions used to assess level of orientation and how would you document it?
What is your name? (person)
Do you know where you are? (place)
Do you know what time or what day it is? (time)
Do you know why you are here? (situation)
Documentation: A and Ox4 (alert and oriented for all 4 questions)
What are the components of a general patient survey?
Gender and race age signs of distress body type posture gait body movement hygiene and grooming dress body odor affect and mood speech signs of patient abuse substance abuse
What are included in vital signs
Temperature Pulse Respirations Pulse Oximetry Blood Pressure Pain
What would be the subject data to gather regarding respirations?
Patient complaints:
C/o (complains of) or denies dyspnea, cough, other symptoms, pain related to breathing
What are the body systems that are generally assesses during a full health assessment?
Neurological Cardiovascular Respiratory Gatrointestinal Genitourinary Musculoskeletal Integument Psychosocial
What is the subjective data to gather regarding integument?
Patient complaints:
C/o or denies pain, discomfort or itching, tingling, etc. related to the skin.
What does the integumentary system include?
skin hair scalp, and nails
What is the Braden scale?
A scale used to predict pressure ulcer risk that uses a score from less than or equal to 9 to as high as 23. The lower the number, the higher the risk for developing an acquired ulcer/injury. 19-23 = no risk 15-18 = mild risk 13-14 = moderate risk less than 9 = severe risk
What are the 6 categories of the Braden scale?
Sensory perception Moisture Activity Mobility Nutrition Friction/shear
What abnormalities are noted while assessing integument?
scars, discoloration, bruising, wounds, red areas, pressure sores
What does a bluish color to the nail beds, lips, mouth, or skin possibly indicate?
(cyanosis) - increased amount of deoxygenated hemoglobin (associated with hypoxia)
Causes: lung disease, cold environment
What does pallor (paleness) to the face, nail beds, palms of hands, skin, or lips possibly indicate?
reduced amount of oxyhemoglobin caused by anemia/ reduced visibility of oxyhemoglobin resulting from decreased blood flow caused by shock.
What does a loss of pigmentation in patchy areas on the face, hands and arms possibly indicate?
vitiligo caused by congenital or autoimmune condition causing lack of pigment
What does a yellow-orange (jaundice) skin and eye color indicate?
increased deposit of bilirubin in the tissues caused by liver disease, destruction of red blood cells