Physical Assessment Findings Flashcards
if your patient is in respiratory distress and can barely talk to you, what should you do?
review their peak flow monitoring results/chest x ray and possibly recommend respiratory therapist
what are the 4 assessment techniques?
inspection, percussion, palpation and auscultation
why is palpation useful to assess perfusion?
you can determine skin temp and cap refill, pain, massess or crepitus of the chest
what things may you notice upon inspection?
work of breathing, use of accessory muscles, prolonged expiration, wheezing, cough and an inability to maintain a conversation
what things may you notice upon ascultation?
wheezing, distant breath sounds, crackles (which could be related to infection)
what do quiet or distant breath sounds indicate?
means that air is not moving
what may you notice on vital signs of an asthmatic patient
tachypnea, tachycardia and decreased oxygen saturation (hypoxemia)
why may tachycardia occur?
may be the result of anxiety, stress or quick relief medications
