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Aggravating factors

Factors that make a condition, such as headaches, worse.

Review of systems

An evaluation of past and present health state of each body system.

PQRSTU mnemonic

A tool to address characteristics specific to pain presentation.

Objective data

Information that supports the history of present illness during a review of systems.

Full mental status examination

To be completed if the patient has a change in behavior and the family is concerned.

Aphasia

A language disturbance in speaking, writing, or understanding.

Mental status assessment

Documents emotional and cognitive functioning.

Response time in older adults

Older adults typically have a slower response time.

Dorsa of the hands

Used to determine temperature.

Fine tactile discrimination

Best achieved with the fingertips.

Accurate assessment of respirations

Should be counted for 30 seconds after completing a pulse assessment and multiplied by two.

Normal oral temperature range

35.8° C to 37.3° C.

Reliable indicator for chronic pain

Patients' self-report.

Snellen chart results

The larger the numerator, the better the vision.

Common site of breast cancer

The upper outer quadrant of the breast.

Stridor

A high-pitched, inspiratory crowing sound associated with upper airway obstruction.

A bruit

A sound heard while auscultating the carotid artery, caused by turbulent blood flow.

Incorrect carotid artery assessment

Pressing firmly with the bell of the stethoscope over the carotid artery.

Cardiac changes during pregnancy

An increase in cardiac volume and a decrease in blood pressure.

Arteriosclerosis

Thickening and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls.

Expected finding in peripheral vascular assessment

Radial pulses 2+ with regular rate and rhythm bilaterally.

Ascites

An abnormal accumulation of serous fluid within the peritoneal cavity.

Liver location

In the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.

Spleen location

In the left upper quadrant.

Cecum location

In the right lower quadrant.

Sigmoid colon location

In the left lower quadrant.

Heberden and Bouchard nodes

Hard and nontender nodes associated with osteoarthritis.

Cerebellar function testing

Tested by performance of rapid alternating movements.

Cerebellum function

Coordinates movement, maintains equilibrium, and helps maintain posture.

Katz Index of Independence in ADL

A functional assessment of a person’s ability to complete activities of daily living.