Wk 1 Physical assessment

Question 1

Purposes of a physical examination

Answer 1

Triage for emergency care
routine screening to promote health and wellness
to determine eligibility for Health insurance/Military services
a new job
to admit a patient to a hospital or long term care facility
Gather baseline data about pt health status
supplement, confirm or refute subjective data
identify and confirm nursing diagnoses
make clinical decision about a pt changing health
evaluate the outcomes of care

Question 2

Cultural sensitivity

Answer 2

be culturally aware and avoid stereotyping
consider health beliefs
respect cultural differences

Question 3

Preparation ofr examination

Answer 3

infection control
environment
equipment
physical preparation of pt
positioning
psychological preparation of pt
assessment of age group

Question 4

Organization of the examination

Answer 4

head to toe
assessment of each body system
systematic and organized

Question 5

Techniques of physical assessment (4)

Answer 5

Inspection
Auscultation
Palpation
Percussion

Question 6

Define inspection

Answer 6

process of observation, to detect body parts, normal characteristics and physical signs

Question 7

Techniques of inspection

Answer 7

Make sure good lighting is available
Position and expose body part
Inspect each area for size,shape, color, symmetry, position and abnormalities
Compare each area to be inspected with other side

Question 8

Define Auscultate

Answer 8

Listen to sounds created in body organs. Detected variations from normal, by using the stethoscope

Question 9

Characteristics of sounds (4)

Answer 9

Frequency
Loudness
Quality
Duration, or length of time that sounds vibration lasts

Question 10

Define Palpate

Answer 10

Assess body parts through the sense of touch

Question 11

Types of palpate

Answer 11

Light

Deep

Question 12

Area examined by palpation

Answer 12

skin, temp, texture
organs (liver, intestine)
glands thyroid and lymph
blood vessels (carotid or femoral artery)

Question 13

Define Percussion

Answer 13

taping the body with fingers tip or striking one object with another to produce sound or vibration to aid in diagnosis

Question 14

characteristics of percussion

Answer 14

Evaluate the size, borders of the cavity

Question 15

Types of percussion (2)

Answer 15

Direct; striking body surface directly

Indirect; the middle fingers strikes the base of other hand

Question 16

General survey of physical exam

Answer 16

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
vital signs
height and weight