Health Assessment Check Off #4

PQRST Pain Assessment

Pain assessment method using Provocation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, and Timing

Jugular Veins

Veins in the neck that return blood to the heart

Jugular Vein Distention

Visible swelling of the jugular veins that may indicate increased venous pressure

Carotid Artery

Artery in the neck that carries blood to the brain

Bruit

Abnormal blowing or whooshing sound heard over an artery

Carotid Pulse

Pulse felt in the carotid artery in the neck

PMI (Point of Maximal Impulse)

Location where the heartbeat is felt most strongly, usually at the fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line

Intercostal Space

Space between two ribs

Heave/Lift

Strong movement of the chest wall caused by the heart

Thrill

Vibration felt over the heart that may indicate turbulent blood flow

Aortic Area

Auscultation area at the second right intercostal space near the sternum

Pulmonic Area

Auscultation area at the second left intercostal space near the sternum

Erb’s Point

Auscultation area at the third left intercostal space near the sternum

Tricuspid Area

Auscultation area at the fourth or fifth left intercostal space near the sternum

Mitral Area

Auscultation area at the fifth left intercostal space at the midclavicular line

S1

First heart sound, caused by closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves

S2

Second heart sound, caused by closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves

Apical Pulse

Heartbeat heard with a stethoscope at the apex of the heart

Pulse Deficit

Difference between the apical pulse and radial pulse rates

S3

Third heart sound that may be associated with increased fluid volume or heart failure in adults

S4

Fourth heart sound that may be associated with a stiff ventricle

Carotid Palpation

Feeling the carotid pulse by gently palpating one side of the neck at a time

Capillary Refill

Time required for color to return after pressure is released from a nail bed

Peripheral Perfusion

Circulation of blood to the body's extremities

Skin Turgor

Skin's ability to return to its normal position after being gently pinched

Clubbing

Enlargement of fingertips with changes in the nail angle that may indicate chronic low oxygen levels

Profile Sign

Side view of the angle between the nail and nail base used to assess clubbing

Schamroth’s Window Test

Test in which opposing fingernails are placed together to check for a diamond-shaped window

Varicosities

Enlarged, twisted veins

Skin Lesion

An area of abnormal skin appearance or texture

Edema

Swelling caused by excess fluid in the tissues

Pitting Edema

Swelling that leaves an indentation after pressure is applied

Non-Pitting Edema

Swelling that does not leave an indentation after pressure is applied

Peripheral Pulse

Pulse felt in an artery away from the heart

Radial Pulse

Pulse felt on the thumb side of the wrist

Brachial Pulse

Pulse felt on the inner side of the elbow

Popliteal Pulse

Pulse felt behind the knee

Dorsalis Pedis Pulse

Pulse felt on the top of the foot

Posterior Tibial Pulse

Pulse felt behind the inner ankle

Pulse Grading

Rating the strength of a pulse from absent to bounding

Epitrochlear Lymph Nodes

Lymph nodes located near the inner elbow

Modified Allen’s Test

Test used to assess blood flow through the radial and ulnar arteries in the hand

Collateral Circulation

Alternative pathways that allow blood to reach tissues when the usual route is reduced

Calf Circumference

Measurement around the widest part of the calf used to compare the legs

Thoracic Cage

Rib cage that protects the lungs and other chest structures

Respiratory Rate

Number of breaths taken per minute

Respiratory Pattern

Rhythm, depth, and regularity of breathing

Accessory Muscles

Muscles used to help with breathing when respiratory effort increases

Level of Consciousness (LOC)

A person's level of alertness and responsiveness

Chest Expansion

Outward movement of the chest during inspiration

Tactile (Vocal) Fremitus

Vibrations felt on the chest when a patient speaks

Crepitus

Crackling sensation felt under the skin or in tissues

Percussion

Tapping the body surface to assess underlying structures

Resonance

Expected hollow sound heard when percussing normal lung tissue

Dullness

Thud-like percussion sound that may occur over dense tissue or fluid

Hyperresonance

Louder, lower-pitched percussion sound that may occur with excess air in the lungs

Diaphragmatic Excursion

Movement of the diaphragm between full expiration and full inspiration

Vesicular Breath Sounds

Soft, low-pitched breath sounds heard over most peripheral lung fields

Bronchovesicular Breath Sounds

Medium-pitched breath sounds heard near the major bronchi

Adventitious Breath Sounds

Abnormal breath sounds such as crackles, wheezes, rhonchi, stridor, or pleural friction rub