Summary
NUR 181 Chapter 8 Summary
This is a comprehensive and detailed summary on chapter 8;Assessment techniques and safety techniques in the clinical setting. *Essential Study Material!!
[Show more]
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
- Edition:
- ISBN:
- Edition:
Content preview
Chapter 8 : Assessment Techniques and Safety in the Clinical SettingI. Cultivating Your Senses
-Physical examination requires examiner to develop technical skills - the tools to gather data
-Use your senses to gather data
-The skills required for the physical examination are:
1. INSPECTION
○ Concentrated watching; first of individual as a whole, then of each body system
○ Inspection always comes FIRST
○ Compare R and L sides for symmetry
○ Inspection begins the moment you first meet the person and develop a “general
survey”
○ Pay attention to their affect (temperament, mood), their dress, hygiene, etc
○ Observe for: symmetry, norms, size, shape, color and behavior
○ General inspection: front to back/ side to side, symmetry, injuries, abnormalities
(overall appearance)
○ Systemic inspection: each body system from head to tow
○ Inspection requires: good lighting, adequate exposure, occasional use of
instruments to enlarge view
2. PALPATION
○ Follows and confirms inspection
○ Sense of TOUCH: texture, temperature, moisture, organ location and size,
swelling, vibrations or pulsations, rigidity or spasticity, crepitation, presence of
lumps or masses and presence of tenderness/pain
○ Different parts of the hand are best suited for assessing different factors
a) Fingertips: fine tactile discrimination, as of skin texure, swelling,
pulsation and determining presence of lumps
b) Grasping action of fingers and thumb: detect position, shape , and
consistency of an organ or mass
c) Dorsa (backs) of hands and fingers: determining temperature (skin is
thinner than on palms)
d) Base of fingers or ulnar surface of hand: vibration
○ Bimanual palpation- requires use of both hands for more precise delimitation
○ Palpation technique should be slow and calm; tender areas should be palpated
last
○ Light palpation identifies surface issues: tenderness, masses, rigidity
○ Deep palpation identifies: enlarged organs, tenderness, masses
3. PERCUSSION
○ Tapping the persons skin with short, sharp strokes to assess underlying structures
○ Produces an audible vibration that helps reveal : location, density, and size of
underlying organ
○ Used also for tendon reflex
○ 2 methods:
a) Direct percussion (immediate), striking hand directly contacts body wall
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller anyiamgeorge19. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $11.19. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
50843 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now