answers
Define Inspection |\
-Process of performing deliberate, purposeful
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observations in a systematic manner. |\ |\ |\ |\
-begins with the initial patient contact and continues
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through the entire assessment. |\ |\ |\
-usually followed by palpation during the assessment of
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each body part. |\ |\
How do you preform an inspection?
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Observe visually, hearing, and smell to gather data
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Assess appearance, behavior, and movement
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lighting is essential for distinguishing the color, texture,
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and moisture of body surfaces.
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Inspect each area of the body for size, color, shape,
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position, movement, and symmetry |\ |\ |\
Define Palpation |\
-uses the sense of touch
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-hands and fingers are sensitive tools that can assess skin
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temperature, turgor, texture, and moisture, as well as
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vibrations within the body (such as the heart) and shape
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or structures within the body (e.g., the bones).
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What is percussion? |\ |\
-the act of striking one object against another to produce
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sound
-The fingertips are used to tap the body over body tissues
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to produce vibrations and sound waves.
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,-The characteristics of the sounds produced are used to
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assess the location, shape, size, and density of tissues
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-Abnormal sounds suggest alteration of tissues or the
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presence of a mass |\ |\ |\
-usually performed by advanced practice professionals
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Auscultation
-the act of listening with a stethoscope to sounds
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produced within the body. -performed by placing the
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stethoscope diaphragm or bell against the body part |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
being assessed
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-expose the part listened to, use the proper part of the
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stethoscope for specific sounds, and listen in a quiet |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
environment
What can the nurse do to prepare the patient for the
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assessment? What/how could the nurse help the patients |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
during this process?
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remain sensitive to the patient's physiologic needs (e.g.,
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pain or decreased stamina because of age or illness) and
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psychological needs (e.g., anxiety about having the |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
examination).
Explain that the first part of the assessment will involve
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questions about the patient's health concerns, health
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habits, and lifestyle and that the information will only be
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shared with the patient's other health care providers.
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Inform the patient that after the health history is
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completed, body structures will be examined. |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
Reassure the patient by explaining that the assessments
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should not be painful. Explaining the assessment in
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general terms can help decrease the patient's
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embarrassment, fear of possible abnormal physical |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
findings, or fear of "failing" a test. Be sure to then explain
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each assessment in greater detail as it is performed.
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Explain that drapes will be used during the examination,
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, and only the area being assessed will be exposed. Answer
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the patient's questions directly and honestly.
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subjective data |\
things a person tells you about that you cannot observe
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through your senses; symptoms |\ |\ |\
should try to validate |\ |\ |\
objective data |\
information that is seen, heard, felt, or smelled |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
signs
vitals
lab work
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imaging
validate
How do you validate data?
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Distinguish normal from abnormal |\ |\ |\
Identify gaps or inconsistencies |\ |\ |\
Repeat and reassess |\ |\
Look for etiology, influence
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Look for clusters of data, patterns
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Throw out irrelevant data |\ |\ |\
Consensus
Don't make assumptions |\ |\
recheck data/information |\
look for factors (has this happened before physiological,
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emotional etc.) that may be present |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
ask someone else if they see or hear what we are seeing
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comprehensive health assessment |\ |\