Health Assessment and Nursing Process - Key Concepts

Flashcards covering key concepts from the Health Assessment and Nursing Process lecture notes.

What are the four psychomotor assessment techniques used in health assessment?

Inspection; Auscultation; Percussion; Palpation.

In an abdominal examination, what is the recommended order of assessment?

Inspect, Auscultate, Percuss, Palpate.

How is health defined in the context of patient assessment?

Health is defined by the patient; nurses should understand each patient’s definition, and cultural practices influence health-promoting behaviors.

Name the five determinants of health (CDC).

Genetics and biology; Individual behavior; Social environment; Physical environment; Health services.

What does the ACA provide for healthcare and what is the nurse’s role?

Higher-quality, safer, more affordable, and accessible care; insurance increases accessibility; nurses lead in assessing, teaching, and advocating.

What is Healthy People 2030?

A science- and research-based framework updated every ten years by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; identifies health and risk factors; nurses educate across the lifespan and be aware of the objectives.

What is the goal of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)?

To use evidence-based medicine to improve the health of all Americans by providing evidence-based recommendations for clinical preventive services (screenings, counseling, medications).

Describe Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary prevention and give an example for each.

Primary: before evidence of disease; e.g., encouraging exercise and healthy eating. Secondary: after disease begins but before symptoms; e.g., checking BMI at well checks. Tertiary: after disease is established; e.g., obesity management to prevent progression.

What are the characteristics of Health Assessment?

Collects, validates, and clusters data to assess the whole patient; must be organized; uses patient resources; establishes baseline; identifies factors; differentiates normal/abnormal findings; distinguishes relevant from irrelevant data.

What are the five steps of the Nursing Process?

Assessment; Diagnosis; Planning/Outcomes; Implementation; Evaluation.

What happens during Evaluation in the Nursing Process?

Goal achievement; reassess and revise as needed; terminate when the goal is met.

What is Critical Thinking in nursing?

Purposeful reflection; problem-solving; multidimensional thinking; reflective thinking; analysis and synthesis of information; prioritizing patient needs.

What is Clinical Reasoning?

Looks for patient cues to develop hypotheses; uses history, signs, symptoms, labs, and imaging to arrive at a diagnosis and plan; develops alternative solutions.

What is Clinical Judgment?

Interpretation or understanding of a patient’s needs or health problems; generates solutions; may modify/improvise the plan; decision to act or not.

What is Intuitive Thinking in clinical practice?

An intuitive inner sense or 'gut feeling' about a clinical situation; requires openness to patient cues.

What is Therapeutic Communication?

Therapeutic communication skills are needed to obtain data and develop a person-centered relationship; exchange information verbally and nonverbally, and in oral and written form.

What is the purpose of Planning/Outcomes in the Nursing Process?

Establish goals and develop outcome criteria.

Why should nurses be aware of Healthy People 2030 objectives?

To educate patients across the lifespan and align care with national objectives for health improvement.