Physiological Assessment Flashcards
What is a physical assessment?
- evaluation or appraisal of condition
- process of making an evaluation
During the initial interview what types of information are you collecting?
- subjective data
- identifying health strengths and problems
- bridge to the physical exam
Name 4 physical assessment techniques
- inspection
- palpation
- percussion
- auscultation
During the inspection what are some of the things you might be examining for.
- age
- body shape
- posture
- anxiety
- things that seem odd or out of place
What 3 senses are being used in the inspection phase of assessment to detect normal characteristics or significant physical signs of body parts and function?
- smell
- vision
- hearing
What 3 techniques are needed to conduct an efficient inspection?
- good lighting
- adequate exposure
- occasional use of instruments
What is palpation?
use of hands to touch body parts to make sensitive measurements of specific areas
When is palpation used?
with or after visual inspection
What types of things would you be palpating for in an assessment?
- temperature
- vibrations
- feeling organs
What is percussion?
striking the body’s surface with a finger to produce a vibration that travels through the body tissues
What does percussion evaluate?
- size
- borders
- consistency of body organs
- fluid in body cavities
What are the 3 types of sounds you will hear when using percussion?
- dull sound
- flat sound
- resonance sound
What is auscultation?
listening with a stethoscope to sounds produced by the body
What does auscultation do?
detects variations from normal
What are some things you are observing when palpating?
- texuture
- moisture
- temperature
- organ location and size
- swelling
- vibration or pulsation
- presence of lumps or masses
- presence of tenderness or pain
