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
What are some things to consider when palpating?
- warm hands
- light (1.25 cm) to deep >1.25 cm
- appropriate for area (ie. fingertips, light grasping of fingers and thumb, dorsum of hand, palm of hand)
What should you do with your stethascope prior to use?
warm
What is the best environment for auscultating?
quiet environment
What is the general order of assessment?
inspection
palpation
percussion
auscultation
In an abdominal examination what is the general order of assessment?
inspection
auscultation
percussion
palpation
What are two factors for sound to transmit more readily through a stethoscope?
- earpieces fit snuggly
- earpieces slope towards your nose
What are some things to remember when conducting palpation to a patient in terms of making the patient more comfortable?
- warm hands
- privacy
- relaxed position
- use a calm and gentle approach and provide explanation
When you first step into a patients room to conduct an assessment what should you first do?
introduce yourself and explain the procedure and purpose of each part of the exam
How should you proceed with assessment?
follow a planned order of examination for each body system. You can incorporate specific history questions related to each body part.
