Chapter 5 Assessment techniques

Contact precautions

Used for patients with known or suspected infections that represent and increases risk for contact transmission

Using PPE including clowns and gloves for all interactions with that may involve contact with the patient or the patients environment

Droplet precautions

Used for patients known to be or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by respiratory droplets that are generated by a patient who is coughing, sneezing, or talking

PPE + mask

Airborne precautions

For patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by the airborne route.

Examples: tuberculosis, measles, chickenpox, or covid-19

Patients are placed into an infections isolation room

use PPE and N95 mask

Direct inspection

Carefully observing and inspecting a specific area or the whole individual

indirect inspection

using specific equipment to improve your visualization of an area

Light palpation

Use the finger pads of your dormant hand, gently pressing down about 1 cm or ½ inch to palpate surface characteristics for

• texture

• masses

• moisture

• pulsations

• temperature

• tenderness

Deep palpation

Use the finger pads of your dominant hand and gently press down about 5 cm to assess

• organ size

• masses

• tenderness