Health Assessment
Study Guide for modules 5-7
Module 5- Cardiovascular
1. Identify the route of blood flow.
2. Describe the normal sounds of the heart, when do you hear them?
3. What does a heart murmur sound like? When describing a heart murmur what would you
document?
4. Understand how to grade a murmur.
5. Describe the subjective and objective data that should be assessed in a patient who
presents with a problem related to the heart or peripheral vascular system.
6. What additional information would you gather with a patient that has chest pain?
Dyspnea?
7. Describe the risk factors associated with heart disease and stroke.
8. Describe the procedure of positioning and preparing the patient for an assessment of the
heart and peripheral vascular system.
9. Describe the techniques of inspecting, palpating, auscultating, and percussing the thorax
and the peripheral vascular system.
10. Identify the location of the areas of auscultation for the cardiac assessment.
11. Understand when to use the diaphragm and bell during assessment.
12. Describe the procedure of assessing the carotid arteries of the neck.
13. Identify the locations of the peripheral pulses. Understand how to grade peripheral
pulses.
14. Identify capillary refill. (procedure and what is normal)
15. Identify the relationship between lifestyle behaviors and cardiovascular disease.
16. Describe self-care, risk reduction and health promotion topics related to preventing
cardiovascular disease that should be taught to patients during a health assessment.
Module 6- Abdomen
1. Identify the anatomic landmarks of the abdomen.
2. Describe common causes of constipation.
3. Describe the subjective and objective data that should be assessed in a patient who presents
with a problem related to the gastrointestinal system. (include additional history for aging
adults.)
4. Describe history of present illness including the 6 F’s of distention.
5. Identify the sequence of assessing the abdomen.
6. Describe the procedure of positioning and preparing the patient for an assessment of
the abdomen.
7. Describe the techniques of inspecting, palpating, auscultating, and percussing the abdomen
and renal system.
8. Describe bowel sounds normal and abnormal findings.
9. Describe what should be noted when a mass is identified.
10. Describe the assessment maneuvers, procedures, and findings associated with peritoneal
irritation and acute pain in the abdomen. (rebound tenderness, Iliopsoas muscle test,
murphy sign)
Study Guide for modules 5-7
Module 5- Cardiovascular
1. Identify the route of blood flow.
2. Describe the normal sounds of the heart, when do you hear them?
3. What does a heart murmur sound like? When describing a heart murmur what would you
document?
4. Understand how to grade a murmur.
5. Describe the subjective and objective data that should be assessed in a patient who
presents with a problem related to the heart or peripheral vascular system.
6. What additional information would you gather with a patient that has chest pain?
Dyspnea?
7. Describe the risk factors associated with heart disease and stroke.
8. Describe the procedure of positioning and preparing the patient for an assessment of the
heart and peripheral vascular system.
9. Describe the techniques of inspecting, palpating, auscultating, and percussing the thorax
and the peripheral vascular system.
10. Identify the location of the areas of auscultation for the cardiac assessment.
11. Understand when to use the diaphragm and bell during assessment.
12. Describe the procedure of assessing the carotid arteries of the neck.
13. Identify the locations of the peripheral pulses. Understand how to grade peripheral
pulses.
14. Identify capillary refill. (procedure and what is normal)
15. Identify the relationship between lifestyle behaviors and cardiovascular disease.
16. Describe self-care, risk reduction and health promotion topics related to preventing
cardiovascular disease that should be taught to patients during a health assessment.
Module 6- Abdomen
1. Identify the anatomic landmarks of the abdomen.
2. Describe common causes of constipation.
3. Describe the subjective and objective data that should be assessed in a patient who presents
with a problem related to the gastrointestinal system. (include additional history for aging
adults.)
4. Describe history of present illness including the 6 F’s of distention.
5. Identify the sequence of assessing the abdomen.
6. Describe the procedure of positioning and preparing the patient for an assessment of
the abdomen.
7. Describe the techniques of inspecting, palpating, auscultating, and percussing the abdomen
and renal system.
8. Describe bowel sounds normal and abnormal findings.
9. Describe what should be noted when a mass is identified.
10. Describe the assessment maneuvers, procedures, and findings associated with peritoneal
irritation and acute pain in the abdomen. (rebound tenderness, Iliopsoas muscle test,
murphy sign)
