Seminar 1: Introduction to Assessment

Question 1

Why is assessment important?

Answer 1

• so we can know how the patient is experiencing health, illness, and pathophysiology

Question 2

A sign is an _____ (objective/subjective) observation

Answer 2

• objective (ie. diaphoresis)

Question 3

When we search for signs, we use techniques to physically assess a patient. Which 4 techniques do we use?

Answer 3

1. Inspection
2. Palpation
3. Percussion
4. Auscultation (stethoscope)

Question 4

What is a symptom?

Answer 4

• subjective feeling (ie. pain)

Question 5

We use communication techniques to find symptoms. Name 3. `

Answer 5

1. OPQRSTUV
2. Old/better/worse
3. discuss w/ patient about how they are doing and why

Question 6

How does health relate to assessment?

Answer 6

• Within normal limits (WNL)

Question 7

As the next year unfolds, we will learn what normal or variation of normal looks like. What does variation of normal mean?

Answer 7

• not a pathophysiological/disease origin
• eg. physical characteristics (genetic differences)

Question 8

how does pathophysiology relate to assessment? (3)

Answer 8

• clinical manifestations
• assessment findings that have been pushed outside of normal
• why, what is causing this to happen?

Question 9

Why is it important to understand pathophysiology when doing assessments? (2)

Answer 9

• the knowledge is needed to predict, anticipate, or determine what is going on with the patient
• know how to intervene as a healthcare team

Question 10

What is an appropriate level of concern?

Answer 10

old/new
better/worse
chronic vs acute
stable vs critical

Question 11

what is pharmacokinetics?

Answer 11

How drugs move through the body

Question 12

what is pharmacodynamics?

Answer 12

Effective drug and how it moves and works to kill bacteria