General survey for health assessment

1. General survey
ANILKUMAR BR , LECTURER MSN

2. Introduction
 Assessment begins when the nurse First
meets the client.
 The nurse determines the reason the client
is seeking health care.
 The examination begins with a general
survey that includes observation of general
appearance and behavior, vital signs, and
height and weight measurements.

3.  A general survey provides information
about characteristics of an illness, a
client’s hygiene and body image,
emotional state, recent changes in
weight, and development status.

4. General appearance and behavior
 Assessment of appearance and behavior
begins while nurse prepare the client for
examination.
 The review of general appearance and
behavior includes the following…

5. Gender and race
 A person’s gegender affects the type of
examination performed and the manner
in which assessments are made.
Different physical features are related to
gender and race.
 Certain illness are more likely to affect a
specific gender or race :example

6.  Age : age influence normal physical
characteristics.
 Signs of distress : There may be obvious
signs or symptoms indicating pain,
difficulty breathing, or anxiety.

7. Body type
 The nurse observe if a client appears
trim and muscular, obese or excessively
thin. Body type can reflect the level of
health, age and life style.

8. Body movements
 Observe whether movements are
purposeful and note if there are any
tremors involving the extremities.
Determine if any body parts are
immobile.

9. Hygiene and grooming
 The client’s level of cleanliness is noted by
observing the appearance of the hair, skin,
and fingernails
 Dress : culture, lifestyle, socioeconomic
level, and personal preprance affect the type
of clothes worn. Note if the type of clothing
worn is appropriate for the temperature and
weather conditions.

10. Body odour
 An unpleasant body odour may result
from physical exercise, poor hygiene or
certain disease states. Poor oral hygiene
may cause bad breath.

11. Affect and mood
 Affect is a person’s feelings as they
appear to others. A person’s mood or
emotional state is expressed verbally or
nonverbally. Note if Verbal
expressionexpressions match nonverbal
behavior and observe if the client’s mood
is appropriate for the situation.

12. Speech
 Normal speech is understandable and
moderately placed and shows an
association with the person’s thoughts.
Note if the client talks rapidly or slowly.

13. Client abuse
 Abuse of children, women, and older
adults is growing and serious health
problem.

14. Substance abuse
 Health care provider’s recognition of
clients who abuse, alcohol, prescribed
medications, or illegal drugs is typically
poor.