Health Assessment Techniques and Frameworks

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and techniques related to systematic health assessments and nursing practices for effective care.

What are the main components of a Nursing Health History?

1. Biographical data 2. Reason for seeking care 3. Current health status 4. Past health history 5. Family history 6. Review of systems 7. Psychosocial profile

What are the purposes of a nursing health assessment?

1. Establishing a baseline 2. Identifying health problems 3. Formulating nursing diagnoses 4. Monitoring changes 5. Promoting holistic care 6. Enhancing communication

What is a comprehensive health assessment?

A health assessment performed at a person's first entry in an outpatient setting or initial admission to a hospital, including complete health history and physical examination.

What is the A-G Assessment approach?

A systematic approach that provides essential information about patient status in order of clinical importance, used for identifying threats to immediate health.

What techniques are required for physical examination?

1. Inspection 2. Palpation 3. Percussion 4. Auscultation

What is the purpose of inspection in physical examination?

To observe detailed characteristics such as size, shape, colour, symmetry, position, abnormalities, and function of body areas.

How is palpation performed during a physical assessment?

Using touch to compare both sides of the body with slow, systematic movements to measure physical signs.

What are characteristics to observe during auscultation?

Loudness, quality, and duration of sounds produced by the body.

What is a primary survey in nursing?

The crucial first element in every patient encounter that involves structured and systematic assessment to identify immediate health threats.

What does secondary assessment focus on?

Detailed evaluation of specific body systems or conditions following the primary assessment.

What is the significance of assessing skin turgor?

It indicates the elasticity of the skin and hydration status of the patient.

What does fluid assessment involve?

Monitoring clinical indicators that reflect the patient's fluid and electrolyte balance.

What information does a general survey provide at the beginning of patient assessment?

An overall impression of the patient, including physical appearance, body structure, mobility, and behavior.

Describe the focused (episodic) assessment.

A limited assessment that concerns mainly one problem, cue, or body system, used in various healthcare settings.

What are the key considerations for conducting a health assessment?

1. Family-centered practice 2. Developmental considerations 3. Special needs and challenging behaviors 4. Communication barriers.

What is the role of communication in health assessment?

Effective communication is essential for collecting accurate information and fostering trust with the patient.