Assessment, 4th Canadian Edition (Jarvis, 2024),
Chapter 1-31 | All Chapters
Table of Contents / Chapters Overview
1. Introduction to Health Assessment
o Purpose, techniques, and types of health assessments
o Evidence-based assessment principles
2. The Complete Health History
o Collecting patient history, interviewing techniques
o Cultural considerations and health literacy
3. The Interview and Communication Skills
o Therapeutic communication
o Managing difficult interviews
4. The Complete Physical Examination
o Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation overview
o General survey and vital signs
5. Assessment Techniques by Body Systems:
6. Skin, Hair, and Nails
▪ Inspection and palpation of integumentary system
▪ Common lesions and abnormalities
7. Head and Face
▪ Skull, scalp, facial structures
▪ Cranial nerve V and VII assessment
8. Eyes
▪ Visual acuity, visual fields, extraocular movements
▪ Pupil assessment and common eye disorders
9. Ears
▪ External ear, tympanic membrane, hearing tests
▪ Cranial nerve VIII testing
10. Nose, Mouth, and Throat
▪ Nasal passages, sinuses, oral cavity, and throat
▪ Cranial nerve assessment (IX, X)
11. Neck
▪ Lymph nodes, trachea, thyroid gland
, ▪ Carotid arteries and jugular veins
12. Chest and Lungs
▪ Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
▪ Breath sounds and respiratory patterns
13. Cardiovascular System
▪ Heart sounds, murmurs, pulses
▪ Blood pressure and jugular venous pressure
14. Peripheral Vascular System
▪ Peripheral pulses, edema, lymphatics
▪ Risk factors for vascular disease
15. Breasts and Axillae
▪ Examination techniques and abnormalities
▪ Screening guidelines
16. Abdomen
▪ Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
▪ Common abdominal findings and organ assessment
17. Male Genitourinary System
▪ External genitalia, prostate exam
▪ Common disorders and screening
18. Female Genitourinary System
▪ External and internal examination
▪ Pelvic exam basics
19. Musculoskeletal System
▪ Inspection, range of motion, muscle testing
▪ Common joint and bone disorders
20. Neurologic System
▪ Mental status, cranial nerves, motor and sensory system
▪ Reflexes and coordination
21. Mental Health Assessment
▪ Mental status examination
▪ Screening for depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment
22. Developmental and Age-Specific Assessments
▪ Infant, child, adolescent, adult, and older adult assessments
▪ Growth and developmental milestones
23. Cultural and Environmental Considerations
▪ Cultural competence in assessment
▪ Social determinants of health
1. Which action best demonstrates the concept of "inspection" during physical
assessment?
A. Using a stethoscope to listen to heart sounds
,B. Observing a patient’s skin for lesions
C. Tapping on the abdomen to assess tympany
D. Measuring blood pressure with a cuff
Inspection involves deliberate, focused watching of the patient to
identify any abnormalities.
2. What is the primary purpose of performing a general survey during
assessment?
A. To establish a medical diagnosis
B. To complete the physical exam
C. To gather baseline data on physical appearance and behaviour
D. To review the patient’s medical history
A general survey gives the initial impression of a person’s health status
based on appearance, behaviour, and mobility.
3. Which sound would you expect to hear when percussing over healthy lung
tissue?
A. Dullness
B. Resonance
C. Hyperresonance
D. Flatness
Resonance is the expected sound over normal, air-filled lung tissue.
4. Which technique is best used to assess tactile fremitus?
A. Percussion
B. Auscultation
C. Palpation
, D. Inspection
Tactile fremitus is assessed by palpating vibrations on the chest wall
while the patient speaks.
5. When measuring a blood pressure, the nurse should
A. Place the cuff over clothing
B. Use a cuff that is too small for accuracy
C. Inflate the cuff to 180 mmHg automatically
D. Ensure the arm is at heart level
To ensure accuracy, the arm should be at heart level and supported.
6. Which of the following is a normal age-related change in older adults?
A. Increased skin turgor
B. Decreased skin elasticity
C. Faster reaction time
D. Thickened hair growth on scalp
Skin loses elasticity and becomes more fragile with aging.
7. Which cranial nerve is tested when assessing pupillary reaction to light?
A. CN V
B. CN III
C. CN VII
D. CN XII
Cranial Nerve III (oculomotor) controls pupil constriction.
8. The most appropriate pain scale to use with a 3-year-old child is the
A. Numeric rating scale