A comprehensive health assessment gives nurses insight into a patient’s physical status through observation, the measurement of vital signs and self-reported symptoms. It includes a medical history, a general survey and a complete physical examination. Show
The general survey consists of a patient’s age, weight, height, build, posture, gait and hygiene. Nurses use health assessments to obtain baseline data about patients and to build a rapport with them that can ease anxiety and lead to a trusting relationship. A comprehensive health assessment is generally conducted at the time of admission into an acute care facility or during the first visit to an outpatient clinic. When nurses perform an assessment, they may use techniques such as: Inspection This is the most frequently used method for assessment. Nurses look for indications of a health problem by using their eyes, ears and nose. They may inspect skin color, lesions, bruises or rashes as well as pay attention to abnormal sounds and odors. Auscultation Nurses listen to the sounds of the abdomen by placing the diaphragm or bell of a stethoscope on the bare skin of a patient. Palpation Nurses apply varying degrees of pressure on the patient with different parts of their hands. Palpation allows nurses to assess for texture, tenderness, temperature, moisture, pulsations and the presence of masses. Percussion Nurses firmly press on sections of a patient’s body with the distal part the middle finger on their non-dominant hand. The technique is used directly over suspected areas of tenderness to check a patient’s level of discomfort. What Steps Are Involved in a Comprehensive Health Assessment?Typically, a comprehensive assessment begins with documenting a patient’s health history before starting a physical exam. According to AMN Healthcare Education Services, the health history includes: the patient’s medical complaint, present state of health, past health record, current lifestyle, psychosocial status and family history. The health history provides nurses with in-depth information about symptoms, childhood illnesses, related medical experiences and risks for developing certain diseases. After the health history data is recorded, a physical is conducted which covers a review of the patient’s body systems. A head to toe examination includes assessments of the following:
A thorough and accurate assessment is important because it helps differentiate the normal condition of the patient from the abnormal. And, a comprehensive health assessment establishes if a patient needs diagnostic testing or additional medical care. How Can Earning a BSN Improve a Nurse’s Assessment Skills?Nurses learn assessment skills in nursing school. An online RN to BSN program like the one offered by Eastern Illinois University (EIU) includes the course Advanced Nursing Health Assessment that prepares students to perform precise examination. The curriculum builds on a nurse’s basic nursing assessment proficiencies. Once nurses earn the BSN, they are prepared to give a comprehensive health assessment and apply the knowledge to make sound clinical judgements. A comprehensive health assessment is a crucial component in the nursing practice. Without it, nurses can have a difficult time pinpointing a patient’s medical requirements. It is not enough for patients to tell nurses what is wrong. Instead, nurses need to rely on the observations they record from physical examinations to decide on a course of action. By completing a systematic and efficient assessment, nurses are able to communicate with patients and help them take measures to maintain or manage their health. Learn more about Eastern Illinois University’s online RN to BSN program. Sources: RN.com: Overview of Nursing Health Assessment Nurse.org: How to Conduct a Head-to-Toe Assessment RegisteredNursing.org: Techniques of Physical Assessment: NCLEX-RN Health Science Journal: Health Assessment The Nerdy Nurse: Subjective Data Vs. Objective Data in Nursing CHAPTER 2 &3PRACTICEQUESTIONSSubjective and Objective Data What physical assessment technique should a nurse useto obtain a pulse on a client? Get answer to your question and much more What physical assessment technique should a nurse useto obtain a pulse on a client? Get answer to your question and much more Rationale:The nurse should use the light palpation technique tocheck the pulse of the client. Moderate and bimanualpalpation is used to note the size, consistency, andmobility of the strictions that are palpated. Deeppalpation enables the nurse to feel very deep organs orstructures that are covered by thick muscles. A nurse preforms an admission assessment on a clientadmitted with chest pain. The nurse knows thatusingthe bell of the stethoscope is appropriatetoauscultate forwhich type of sounds? Get answer to your question and much more A nurse preforms an admission assessment on a clientadmitted with chest pain. The nurse knows thatusingthe bell of the stethoscope is appropriatetoauscultate forwhich type of sounds?A. BreathB. BowelC.Normal heartD.Hearthmurmur Rationale:The bell of the stethoscope is used to listen for lowpitched sounds such as abnormal heart sounds orbruits.The diaphragm is used to listen for high pitchedsounds such as normal heart sounds, lungs, and bowelsounds. Which action by a nurse demonstrates thecorrectapplicationof the principles ofstandard precautions? Get answer to your question and much more Which action by a nurse demonstrates thecorrectapplicationof the principles ofstandard precautions? Get answer to your question and much more Get answer to your question and much more Upload your study docs or become a Course Hero member to access this document Upload your study docs or become a Course Hero member to access this document End of preview. Want to read all 38 pages? Upload your study docs or become a Course Hero member to access this document Professor Delbert Gatlin III (P) Tags Physical examination, Heart sounds, Auscultation, nurse use Which describes the nurse using the technique of auscultation?Which describes the nurse using the technique of auscultation? The nurse detects gurgling throughout the abdomen. Auscultation is used by the nurse to assess bowel sounds, such as gurgling throughout the abdomen.
When Auscultating lung sounds it is important for the nurse to do which of the following quizlet?When auscultating lung sounds, it is important for the nurse to do which of the following? Anterior auscultation should include 9 spots on each side. Quickly move through the assessment to decrease risk for fainting or hyperventilation.
Which of the following statements is true regarding the stethoscope and its use?Which of these statements is true regarding the stethoscope and its use? ANS: The stethoscope does not magnify sound but does block out extraneous room noise. The stethoscope does not magnify sound but does block out extraneous room sounds.
What physical assessment technique uses a stethoscope?Auscultation
Auscultation involves listening for various lung, heart, and bowel sounds with a stethoscope.
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What action by a nurse demonstrates the correct technique when using a stethoscope for auscultation?
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