Physical assessment
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Transcript of Physical assessment
PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT/ EXAMINATIONHEAD TO TOE
PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT/ EXAMINATIONHEAD TO TOE
BY : Nelson Muthali Dip/RNDate: 08th March, 2013
OBJECTIVESBy the end of the topic students
should be able to:-1. Define physical assessment2. Describe the four techniques
used in physical assessment3. Know how to do a head to toe
assessment
Physical assessment is a systematic data collection method that uses the senses of sight, hearing, smell and touch to detect health problems.
There are four techniques used in physical assessment and these are:- Inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation.
Usually history taking is completed before physical examination
InspectionIt’s the use of vision to distinguish
the normal from the abnormal findings.
Body parts are inspected to identify color, shape, symmetry, movement, pulsation and texture.
Principals of inspection• Availability of adequate light• Position and expose body part to view all
surfaces• Inspect each area for size, shape, color,
symmetry, Position and abnormalities.• If possible compare each area inspected
with the same area on the opposite side.• Use additional light to inspect body cavities
PalpationIt involves use of hands to touch body parts for
data collection.The nurse uses fingertips and palms to determine
the size, shape, and configuration of underlying body structure and pulsation of blood vessels.
It help to detect the outline of organs such as thyroid, spleen or liver and mobility of masses.
It detects body temperature, moisture, turgor, texture, tenderness, thickness, and distention.
Principles of palpation• Help client to relax and be comfortable
because muscle tension impairs effective assessment.
• Advise client to take slow deep breaths during palpation
• Palpate tender areas last and note nonverbal signs of discomfort.
• Rub hands to warm them, have short fingernails and use gentle touch
PercussionIt is the technique in which one or both hands
are used to strike the body surface to produce a sound called percussion note that travels through body tissue.
The character of the sound determines the location, size and density of underlying structure to verify abnormalities.
An abnormal sound suggest a mass or substance like air, fluid in an organ or cavity.
AuscultationIt involves listening to sounds and a stethoscope is
mostly used.
Various body systems like cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal have characterized sounds.
Bowel, breath, heart and blood movement sounds are heard using the stethoscope.
It is important to know the normal sound to distinguish from abnormal.
Preparation for physical exam
Infection preventionFollow IP precaution through out procedureEnvironmentP/A requires privacy and away from other
destructors throughoutEquipmentGet all the necessary equipment, other equipment
needs to be warmed before being placed on the body e.g. rubbing diaphragm of the stethoscope briskly between hands.
Preparation cont…Patient preparationPrepare the patient physically and
make the patient comfortable throughout the physical assessment for successful exam.
Explain to the patient everything to be done.
HEAD TO TOE ASSESSMENT
General surveyThe assessment of the patient/client begins on
the first contact.It includes apparent state of health , level of
consciousness, and signs of distress.The general height, weight, and build can be
noted including skin color, dressing, grooming, personal hygiene, facial expression, gait, odor, posture and motor activity.
NOTE: If there is a sign of acute distress comprehensive health assessment is deferred until when patient is stable.
Vital signsAssessment of vital signs is the first
in physical assessment because positioning and moving the client during examination interferes with obtaining accurate results.
Specific vital signs can be also obtained during assessment of individual body system.
Skin, Hair, scalp and Nails
Inspect all skin surfaces first or gradually while assessing the systems.
Use the skills of inspection, palpation, and olfactory to assess the function.
SkinInspect skin for color, edema, lesions, scars
and vascularity.Palpate to notice moisture, temperature, and
skin turgor,
Hair and scalpAssess and note type of hair i.e. long, coarse,
thick, brittle.Note the color, distribution, quantity, thickness,
texture and lubrication.On inspection separate the hair to determine
the scalp.Wear clean gloves if lesions and lice are
probable.
NailsThe condition of the nails reflects the general
health, state of nutrition, occupation, and level of self care. Nail biting can reveal the person’s psychological state.
Inspect the nail bed for color, cleanliness, length, texture, angle between nail and nail bed and folds around the nail.
Palpate the nail for inflamation
Head and neckThe assessment of the head
includes:- eyes, ears, nose, mouth and pharynx.
The assessment of the neck includes:- lymph nodes, carotid artery, thyroid gland and trachea.
EyesAssess visual acuity, position and alignment of
the eyes, eyebrows and eyelids.Note any abnormal discharges and color of
conjunctiva and sclera.EarsIt determines the intergrity of the ear
structures and hearing acuity. Inspect for sore and discharges
Nose and sinusesAssess the integrity of the nose and sinuses by
using inspection and palpation.NoseObserve for shape, size, skin color, and presence of
deformity or inflammation.SinusesThe exam involves palpation. Incase of allergy or
infection the inside is inflamed and swollen so palpate for tenderness
Mouth and pharynxAssess mouth and pharynx to
determine overall health and hygiene.
Use pen light and tongue depressor to assess oral cavity.
LipsInspect lips for color, texture,
hydration, contour, sores and lesions.
Buccal mucosa, gums, and teethAsk client to clench teeth and smile to observe to
observe teeth occlusion, symmetry. A symmetrical smile shows normal nerve function.
Inspect teeth for hygiene, position, and alignment.Let client open with lips relaxed, use tongue
depressor to inspect the mucosa for color, moisture and sores.
Inspect gums for color, edema, retraction, bleeding and lesions.
Tongue and floor of mouthCarefully inspect tongue on all sides as well as
floor of mouth for color, size, position, texture, moisture sores and lesions.
PalateHave client extend the head backwards,
holding the mouth open, inspect the hard and soft palate for color, shape, texture and extra bonny prominences or defects.
PharynxLet the client tip the head back slightly,
open mouth wide and say “Ah”, with penlight inspect the uvula and soft palate, they should rise centrally as the client say “Ah” to determine the function of cranial( vagus ) nerve function.
Check the uvula and tonsils for redness and inflammation.
NeckPalpate the muscles, lymph nodes,
carotid artery jugular veins for tenderness and distention.
Thyroid glandAsk client to hyperextend the neck
and view the thyroid and palpate for masses.
Normally thyroid gland is not visible.
ChestInspect the skin for scars, sores, color, lesions,
chest, movement and respiratory rate.Palpate to notice any masses, and tenderness
in axillae and breast.LungsAuscultate to assess respiratory and sounds
from the lungs and chest cavity.Percussion is done to detect accumulation of
fluid or air in the chest cavity.
HeartAuscultate to hear the heart sound.Learn to know the normal heart
sound to be able to detect the abnormal
BreastInspect the breast for skin color,
scars and lesions.Palpate to notice any presence of
masses.
ExtremitiesUpper and lower extremitiesInspect hand and legs for symmetry, alignment,
skin color, temperature, sores, scars, lesions inflammation and varicosity.
Palpate for tenderness, edema and pulsation of arteries. Use the brachial, radial, ulna, femoral, popliteal, posterior tibia and dorsalis pedis pulses.
Check capillary refill on nails, clubbed toes /fingers and joint mobility.
Deep tendon reflexesNormally done on high risk patients
and needs specialized practice and special hammer to assess the reflexes.
Areas that are assessed are on biceps, triceps, patella, and Achilles.
AbdomenInspect the skin for color, sores, lesions, scars, position
of umbilicus, distention and contours.Palpate for tenderness, masses and enlargement of
other organs like liver, spleen and kidney.Ask for bowel and bladder elimination.Percussion is used to detect the location of organs that
are normally palpable e.g. liver, spleen and intestines.Always auscultate before palpation or percussion
because touching can alter mobility of bowel and increase sound.
GenitaliaStart assessment of genitalia with asking
questions and do inspection to confirm a positive answer.
FemaleAsk about presence of abnormal discharge,
sores, warts and itchingMaleAsk any presence of sores, itching, warts and
abnormal discharge.
Rectum and anusInspect for the skin color, sores,
hemorrhoids and lesions.Do digital palpation to examine the
anal canal for masses and sphincters function only when important.
Reference1. Ruth F. Craven Constance J. Hirnle,
Fundamentals of Nursing, Human Health and Function, sixth edition(2009), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
2. Potter. Perry, Fundamentals of Nursing, 7th edition(2009) Mosby Elsevier.
3. Barbara F. Weller, Nurses Dictionary for nurses and health care workers, 24th edition,Elsevier.