7. To screen for health problems.
Regular checkups can help to identify
health problems at early stages.
8. The type of physical examination perform
will depend on
The client’s health status,
The nature of the client , and the setting.
9. A comprehensive physical assessment,
which includes a
health history interview and
a complete head-to-toe examination of
every body system.
10. A focused physical assessment pertains to a
particular topic,
problem,
body part, or functional ability of the patient.
11. A system-specific assessment is a focused
assessment limited to one body system.
(e.g., the lungs, the peripheral circulation).
12. The following are examples of focused
and system-specific physical assessments,
respectively:
Assessing bowel sounds when a client
has abdominal pain.
13. Listening to breath sounds,
counting respirations, and obtaining pulse
oximetry readings to assess a patient’s
respiratory status.
14. ONGOING ASSESSMENT
Ongoing assessment is performed as
needed, after the initial database is
completed, and, ideally, at every interaction
with the patient.
15. For example, on a medical–surgical unit,
each nurse who provides care to a client
conducts a brief ongoing assessment to
determine changes in the client’s status and
evaluate client outcomes.
16. Develop a systematic approach and follow
the same order each time to perform a
physical exam.
17. A HEAD-TO-TOE APPROACH
A head-to-toe approach starts at the head
and neck and progresses down the body,
examining the feet last.
18. BODY SYSTEMS APPROACH
A body systems approach examines each
system in a predetermined order.
(e.g., Musculoskeletal, cardiovascular,
neurological).
31. The client will need to assume a variety of
positions during a comprehensive physical
examination.
32. -To begin the examination, seat the client on the
side of the bed or examination table.
-Face the client, and establish eye contact.
33. -An upright position allows the client to expand his
lungs fully and is useful for assessing vital signs, the
head and neck, the heart and lungs, the back, and the
upper extremities.
34. -As you place your client in positions that allow
to best observe the body system you are
examining, be alert to special needs that call for
you to modify the position.