PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT MIDTERM REVIEW
FOR NUR 634 STUDY GUIDE 2026
Patient Assessment and Common Conditions
Patient Interaction and Needs Assessment
• When encountering an erratic patient, it is crucial to summarize their concerns to clarify
their needs and ensure effective communication.
• Establish a calm environment to help the patient feel safe and understood, which may
facilitate better information sharing.
• Use open-ended questions to encourage the patient to express their symptoms and
concerns more clearly.
Respiratory Conditions
• Asthma: Patients may present with shortness of breath and wheezing, particularly at
night. It is essential to assess the severity and triggers of their symptoms.
• Subconjunctival Hemorrhage: This condition may present with blood around the eyes
without pain or trauma, often requiring reassurance and monitoring.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
• GERD Education: Advise patients to avoid spicy, fatty, and acidic foods, elevate the head
of the bed, and refrain from lying down after meals to manage symptoms effectively.
• Encourage smoking cessation and reduction of alcohol intake, as these can exacerbate
GERD symptoms.
Musculoskeletal and Neurological Conditions
• Golfer’s Elbow: Characterized by pain along the medial epicondyle, often worsened by
wrist extension. This condition is common among athletes and requires specific
rehabilitation strategies.
• Tennis Elbow: Pain at the lateral epicondyle, typically associated with repetitive wrist
and arm motions.
Diagnostic Considerations and Differential Diagnoses
Vision and Eye Conditions
, • Presbyopia: A common age-related change in vision, leading to difficulty focusing on
near objects, typically requiring reading glasses.
• Glaucoma: A cup-to-disc ratio of 1:2 may indicate glaucoma; further evaluation is
necessary to prevent vision loss.
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Symptoms
• Angina: Patients may report sharp, intermittent chest pain that worsens with breathing,
particularly in smokers. Differential diagnoses should include myocardial ischemia.
• Retinal Detachment: Painless loss of vision in one eye requires immediate referral to an
ophthalmologist for potential surgical intervention.
Abdominal and Gastrointestinal Symptoms
• Cirrhosis: Clinical findings include an enlarged liver, ascites, jaundice, and elevated liver
function tests, indicating advanced liver disease.
• Cholecystitis: Murphy's sign and RUQ pain are key indicators; further imaging may be
warranted.
Neurological and Psychological Assessments
Mental Health Considerations
• Major Depression: Symptoms include overwhelming sadness and loss of interest; a
thorough assessment of the patient's history and current stressors is essential.
• Absent Seizures: Characterized by brief lapses in awareness, often mistaken for
inattentiveness; referral for neurological evaluation may be necessary.
Cranial Nerve Assessments
• Cranial Nerve III: Double vision may indicate dysfunction of this nerve, requiring further
neurological assessment.
• Cranial Nerve X: A deviated uvula may suggest a lesion affecting this nerve, indicating
potential neurological issues.
Physical Examination Techniques and Findings
Key Physical Examination Techniques
• Palpation Techniques: Assessing for tenderness in the temporal arteries can help rule
out temporal arteritis in patients with right-sided pain during chewing.
FOR NUR 634 STUDY GUIDE 2026
Patient Assessment and Common Conditions
Patient Interaction and Needs Assessment
• When encountering an erratic patient, it is crucial to summarize their concerns to clarify
their needs and ensure effective communication.
• Establish a calm environment to help the patient feel safe and understood, which may
facilitate better information sharing.
• Use open-ended questions to encourage the patient to express their symptoms and
concerns more clearly.
Respiratory Conditions
• Asthma: Patients may present with shortness of breath and wheezing, particularly at
night. It is essential to assess the severity and triggers of their symptoms.
• Subconjunctival Hemorrhage: This condition may present with blood around the eyes
without pain or trauma, often requiring reassurance and monitoring.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
• GERD Education: Advise patients to avoid spicy, fatty, and acidic foods, elevate the head
of the bed, and refrain from lying down after meals to manage symptoms effectively.
• Encourage smoking cessation and reduction of alcohol intake, as these can exacerbate
GERD symptoms.
Musculoskeletal and Neurological Conditions
• Golfer’s Elbow: Characterized by pain along the medial epicondyle, often worsened by
wrist extension. This condition is common among athletes and requires specific
rehabilitation strategies.
• Tennis Elbow: Pain at the lateral epicondyle, typically associated with repetitive wrist
and arm motions.
Diagnostic Considerations and Differential Diagnoses
Vision and Eye Conditions
, • Presbyopia: A common age-related change in vision, leading to difficulty focusing on
near objects, typically requiring reading glasses.
• Glaucoma: A cup-to-disc ratio of 1:2 may indicate glaucoma; further evaluation is
necessary to prevent vision loss.
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Symptoms
• Angina: Patients may report sharp, intermittent chest pain that worsens with breathing,
particularly in smokers. Differential diagnoses should include myocardial ischemia.
• Retinal Detachment: Painless loss of vision in one eye requires immediate referral to an
ophthalmologist for potential surgical intervention.
Abdominal and Gastrointestinal Symptoms
• Cirrhosis: Clinical findings include an enlarged liver, ascites, jaundice, and elevated liver
function tests, indicating advanced liver disease.
• Cholecystitis: Murphy's sign and RUQ pain are key indicators; further imaging may be
warranted.
Neurological and Psychological Assessments
Mental Health Considerations
• Major Depression: Symptoms include overwhelming sadness and loss of interest; a
thorough assessment of the patient's history and current stressors is essential.
• Absent Seizures: Characterized by brief lapses in awareness, often mistaken for
inattentiveness; referral for neurological evaluation may be necessary.
Cranial Nerve Assessments
• Cranial Nerve III: Double vision may indicate dysfunction of this nerve, requiring further
neurological assessment.
• Cranial Nerve X: A deviated uvula may suggest a lesion affecting this nerve, indicating
potential neurological issues.
Physical Examination Techniques and Findings
Key Physical Examination Techniques
• Palpation Techniques: Assessing for tenderness in the temporal arteries can help rule
out temporal arteritis in patients with right-sided pain during chewing.
