What is the purpose of a head-to-toe assessment?
A snapshot assessment of all major systems
Includes neuro, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastro-intestinal, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, and integumentary systems.
What is a focused assessment?
An assessment to learn more about a specific system
Conducted when a problem is identified, such as shortness of breath.
What does obtaining a health history allow you to do?
- Establish rapport
- Collect subjective data
- Identify health strengths, concerns & problems
- Gather background information for physical exam
Essential for guiding the physical assessment.
Define inspection in physical assessment.
Examination of body parts using vision, hearing, and smell
Distinguishes between normal and abnormal findings.
What should you compare during inspection?
Compare bilaterally for symmetry
Inspect for size, shape, color, position, drainage, and abnormalities.
What is the technique of palpation?
Using hands to examine body parts
Involves warm hands, light pressure, and observing for pain.
What is percussion in physical assessment?
Tapping the body to produce vibrations
Determines size, borders, and consistency of organs.
What are the sounds produced by percussion?
- Loud: Air (lungs)
- Medium loud: Air filled (stomach, bowels)
- Dull: Organs (liver, spleen)
- Soft: No air present (muscles, bones, tumors)
Abnormal sounds suggest mass, fluid, or air in cavities.
What is auscultation?
Listening to body sounds using a stethoscope
Use bell for low-pitched sounds and diaphragm for high-pitched sounds.
What is the normal temperature range for adults?
36-38 C
Various factors can affect body temperature.
What is the normal pulse range for adults?
60-100 beats per minute
Indicates heart function and tissue perfusion.
What is the purpose of respiratory assessment?
Evaluates exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Normal range is 12-20 breaths per minute.
Define afebrile.
Without fever
Indicates normal body temperature.
Define febrile.
Having a fever
Indicates elevated body temperature.
Define hyperthermia.
Abnormally high body temperature
Can be caused by various factors.
Define hypothermia.
Abnormally low body temperature
Can result from prolonged exposure to cold.
Define pyrexia.
Fever
Indicates an increase in body temperature.
Define bradycardia.
Abnormally slow heart rate
Typically below 60 beats per minute.
Define tachycardia.
Abnormally fast heart rate
Typically above 100 beats per minute.
Define apnoea.
Temporary cessation of breathing
Can be life-threatening if prolonged.
Define bradypnea.
Abnormally slow breathing rate
Typically below 12 breaths per minute.
Define eupnoea.
Normal breathing
Indicates a healthy respiratory rate.
Define Cheyne-stokes.
A pattern of breathing with alternating periods of apnea and hyperventilation
Often seen in critically ill patients.
Define hyperventilation.
Increased rate and depth of breathing
Can lead to decreased carbon dioxide levels.
