The General Survey, Vital Signs and Pain Assessment
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
Recognize and describe the focus, purpose and To make observations of the patient, it is the initial snapshot of the patient
importance of the general survey.
What are important symptoms to look out for? pain, fever, chills, night sweats, fatigue, weight change
What are some potential causes of acute distress? cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, pain, anxiety, depression
What content (in order) is included in the general survey? LOC
SOD
Posture/appropriate movement
Body
Grooming/Hygiene
Facial expressions
Appears stated age
Identify causes for weight changes. Weight change results from changes in body tissues or body fluid. Rapid changes
in weight, over a few days, suggest changes in body fluid, not tissue.
Diseases: Malnutrition, Malignancy, Diabetes, Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism,
Chronic infection, Neuroendocrine disorder
Other: Old age, Decreased food supply, Medications, Drugs/EtOH, No teeth,
Eating disorder, Disability, Successful dieting, Increased metabolic requirements
Describe the signs and symptoms associated with weakness, easy fatigability, cold intolerance, flaky dermatitis, and ankle swelling
malnutrition.
Define BMI body mass index = weight in Kg/ height in meters^2
What is are the BMI values to classify as underweight, Underweight: <18.5
normal, overweight, obese 1, obese 2, obese 3. Normal: 18.5-24.9
Overweight: 25.0-29.9
Obese I: 30.0-34.9
Obese II: 35.0-39.9
Obese III: equal to greater than 40
Recognize and describe the health risks and disease Underweight: malnutrition, fatigue, anemia, hair and skin issues
associated with being underweight, overweight and
obese Overweight or Obese: T2DM, CAD, Stroke, HTN, Osteoarthritis, Depression,
Dyslipidemia, Sleep apnea
, If the complaint is weight changes, what are some good “When was weight last checked?”
questions to ask? “How often do you check your weight?”
“How is it compared to a year ago?”
“Why do you think it has changed?”
“What are your diet and exercise practices?"
“What would you like to weigh?"
What are some methods to combat obesity? Multi level focused (have a team: nutritionist endocrinologist)
Assess/increase motivation to change
Set SMART goals
Assess/improve food choices
Increase exercise
Provide counseling
Whole family involvement
Encourage long term behavioral habits
Define and recognize the components which comprise Blood pressure
the vital signs. HR and rhythm
RR and rhythm
Temperature
Pain
What are some common complaints related to vital elevated blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, SOB, fever, chills, night sweats
signs?
Explain what is happening in the heart during systole and Systole = contraction
disatole
Diastole = relaxation
Define and recognize the normal and abnormal Normal: <120 / <80
measurement ranges for blood pressure Elevated: 120-129 / <80
Stage 1 HTN: 130- -89
Stage 2 HTN: 140+ / 90+
Identify, list and recognize those factors which may cause Avoid smoking or drinking caffeinated beverages 30 minutes prior to
a falsely elevated or falsely decreased blood pressure. measurement.
Ensure room is quiet and comfortably warm
Patient seated quietly in a chair with their feet on the floor for at least 5 minutes
Patient's arm is free of clothing
Select appropriate cuff size: If too small you will get a higher reading
Poor technique
Faulty equipment
WCS
Define Korotkoff sounds The sounds heard when measuring/auscultating brachial artery for blood pressure
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
Recognize and describe the focus, purpose and To make observations of the patient, it is the initial snapshot of the patient
importance of the general survey.
What are important symptoms to look out for? pain, fever, chills, night sweats, fatigue, weight change
What are some potential causes of acute distress? cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, pain, anxiety, depression
What content (in order) is included in the general survey? LOC
SOD
Posture/appropriate movement
Body
Grooming/Hygiene
Facial expressions
Appears stated age
Identify causes for weight changes. Weight change results from changes in body tissues or body fluid. Rapid changes
in weight, over a few days, suggest changes in body fluid, not tissue.
Diseases: Malnutrition, Malignancy, Diabetes, Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism,
Chronic infection, Neuroendocrine disorder
Other: Old age, Decreased food supply, Medications, Drugs/EtOH, No teeth,
Eating disorder, Disability, Successful dieting, Increased metabolic requirements
Describe the signs and symptoms associated with weakness, easy fatigability, cold intolerance, flaky dermatitis, and ankle swelling
malnutrition.
Define BMI body mass index = weight in Kg/ height in meters^2
What is are the BMI values to classify as underweight, Underweight: <18.5
normal, overweight, obese 1, obese 2, obese 3. Normal: 18.5-24.9
Overweight: 25.0-29.9
Obese I: 30.0-34.9
Obese II: 35.0-39.9
Obese III: equal to greater than 40
Recognize and describe the health risks and disease Underweight: malnutrition, fatigue, anemia, hair and skin issues
associated with being underweight, overweight and
obese Overweight or Obese: T2DM, CAD, Stroke, HTN, Osteoarthritis, Depression,
Dyslipidemia, Sleep apnea
, If the complaint is weight changes, what are some good “When was weight last checked?”
questions to ask? “How often do you check your weight?”
“How is it compared to a year ago?”
“Why do you think it has changed?”
“What are your diet and exercise practices?"
“What would you like to weigh?"
What are some methods to combat obesity? Multi level focused (have a team: nutritionist endocrinologist)
Assess/increase motivation to change
Set SMART goals
Assess/improve food choices
Increase exercise
Provide counseling
Whole family involvement
Encourage long term behavioral habits
Define and recognize the components which comprise Blood pressure
the vital signs. HR and rhythm
RR and rhythm
Temperature
Pain
What are some common complaints related to vital elevated blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, SOB, fever, chills, night sweats
signs?
Explain what is happening in the heart during systole and Systole = contraction
disatole
Diastole = relaxation
Define and recognize the normal and abnormal Normal: <120 / <80
measurement ranges for blood pressure Elevated: 120-129 / <80
Stage 1 HTN: 130- -89
Stage 2 HTN: 140+ / 90+
Identify, list and recognize those factors which may cause Avoid smoking or drinking caffeinated beverages 30 minutes prior to
a falsely elevated or falsely decreased blood pressure. measurement.
Ensure room is quiet and comfortably warm
Patient seated quietly in a chair with their feet on the floor for at least 5 minutes
Patient's arm is free of clothing
Select appropriate cuff size: If too small you will get a higher reading
Poor technique
Faulty equipment
WCS
Define Korotkoff sounds The sounds heard when measuring/auscultating brachial artery for blood pressure
