170 likes | 615 Views
Purposes of the Health Assessment. Establish the nurse-patient relationship.Gather data about the patient's general health status.Identify patient strengths.Identify actual and potential health problems.Establish a base for the nursing process.. Two Components of a Health Assessment. Health hist
E N D
1. Chapter 25 Health Assessment
2. Purposes of the Health Assessment Establish the nurse-patient relationship.
Gather data about the patient’s general health status.
Identify patient strengths.
Identify actual and potential health problems.
Establish a base for the nursing process.
3. Two Components of a Health Assessment Health history — focus on interviewing skills
Physical assessment — head-to-toe sequence, system sequence
4. Factors to Assess During a Health History Biographical data
Chief complaint
History of present illness
Past medical history
Family history
Lifestyle
5. Preparing the Patient for Physical Assessment Consider the physiological and psychological needs of the patient.
Explain the process to the patient.
Explain that physical assessments will not be painful (decrease patient fear and anxiety).
Ask the patient to change into a gown and empty bladder.
Answer patient questions directly and honestly.
6. Preparing the Environment for Physical Assessment Agree upon a time for the assessment.
The time should not interfere with meals, daily routines, or visiting hours.
Patient should be as free of pain as possible.
Prepare the examination table.
Provide a gown and drape for the patient.
Gather the supplies and instruments needed for the assessment.
Provide a curtain or screen if the area is open to others.
7. Equipment Used During a Physical Examination Ophthalmoscope — visualizes the interior structures of the eye
Otoscope — examines the external ear canal and tympanic membrane
Snellen’s chart — screens for distant vision
Nasal speculum — visualizes the lower and middle turbinates of nose
Vaginal speculum — examines the vaginal canal and cervix
Tuning fork — tests auditory function and vibratory perception
Percussion hammer — tests deep tendon reflexes and determine tissue density
8. Positions Used During a Physical Assessment Sitting — used to take vital signs
Supine — allows relaxation of abdominal muscles
Dorsal recumbent — used for patients having difficulty maintaining supine position
Sim’s — assessment of rectum or vagina
Prone — assessment of hip joint and posterior thorax
9. Positions Used During a Physical Assessment (continued) Lithotomy — assessment of female rectum and vagina; used for brief period only
Knee-chest — assessment of the rectal area; used for brief period only
Standing — assessment of posture, gait, and balance
10. Techniques Used During a Physical Assessment Inspection — assess size, color, shape, position, and symmetry
Palpation — assess temperature, turgor, texture, moisture, vibrations, and shape
Percussion — assess location, shape, size, and density of tissues
Auscultation — assess the four characteristics of sound; i.e., pitch, loudness, quality and duration
11. Characteristics of Masses Determined by Palpation Shape
Size
Consistency
Surface
Mobility
Tenderness
Pulsatile
12. Types of Sounds Heard When Using Percussion Flat — soft, e.g., thigh area
Dull — medium, e.g., liver
Resonance — loud, e.g., normal lung
Hyperresonance — very loud, e.g., emphysematous lung
Tympany — loud, e.g. puffed-out cheek
13. Characteristics of Sound Heard When Using Auscultation Pitch — ranging from high to low
Loudness — ranging from soft to loud
Quality — e.g., gurgling or swishing
Duration — short, medium or long
14. General Survey General appearance
Vital signs
Height and weight
15. Physical Assessment Integument
Head and neck
Thorax and lungs
Cardiovascular and peripheral vascular systems
Breasts and axillae
Abdomen
Female and male genitalia
Musculoskeletal system
Neurological system
16. Purposes of Documentation Identify actual and potential health problems
Make nursing diagnoses
Plan appropriate care
Evaluate patient’s responses to treatment
17. Nurse’s Role in Diagnostic Procedures Assist before, during, and after diagnostic tests.
Be responsible for other activities associated with diagnostic tests.
Witness the patient’s consent.
Schedule the test.
Prepare the patient physically and emotionally for the test.
Provide care after the test.
Dispose of used equipment.
Transport specimens.