NCLEX-Style Review: General Survey, Vital Signs, and Pain Assessment

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from NCLEX-style review on general survey observations, vital signs prioritization, pain assessment sequencing, and factors influencing blood pressure.

General Survey

An initial, broad assessment of a client's overall health status that includes evaluating general appearance, behavior, speech clarity and appropriateness, observable posture and gait, and baseline vital signs.

Gait, Body Movements, and Posture

Observable physical characteristics assessed during the general survey that provide clinical information regarding a patient's overall function, physical presentation, and emotional state.

Focused Neurologic Assessment

A targeted evaluation that includes checking pupillary constriction when exposed to light, which is distinct from the primary general survey.

Focused Cardiovascular Assessment

A targeted evaluation that includes assessing bilateral radial pulse equality and rate, which is separate from the primary general survey.

Focused Abdominal Examination

A targeted physical examination that includes listening for bowel sounds in all four quadrants rather than observing general survey characteristics.

Oxygen Administration Priority

The nursing intervention prioritized to address hypoxia and respiratory depression (such as an oxygen saturation of $85\%$ and respiratory rate of $10\text{ breaths per minute}$) immediately after securing airway patency.

Airway, Breathing, Circulation (ABC) Priority Framework

A clinical prioritization model where addressing breathing via oxygenation takes precedence over fluid resuscitation, head of bed elevation, or conducting a neurological assessment.

Pain Quality Assessment

Gathering information about pain characteristics by asking the client to describe what the pain feels like, which is prioritized after location to guide clinical intervention.

Pain Severity Assessment

Quantifying pain intensity using tools such as a $0\text{ to }10$ scale, typically performed after establishing pain location and quality.

Nicotine Effect on Blood Pressure

The physiological action of daily nicotine use causing vasoconstriction and sympathetic nervous system stimulation, leading to elevated blood pressure.

Sympathetic Nervous System Stimulation

A physiological reaction triggered by factors like stress, anxiety, or nicotine that elevates blood pressure, whereas its reduction lowers blood pressure.

Speech Assessment in General Survey

Evaluating a client's speech for clarity and appropriateness during the initial broad assessment to help identify immediate baseline status and health concerns.