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What is subjective data in health assessment?

What the patient SAYS.

What is objective data in health assessment?

What YOU observe.

What are the four methods of physical examination?

Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation.

What are the priorities in emergency assessment?

Circulation, Airway, Breathing, Vital Signs.

What is the primary purpose of inspection?

Concentrated watching to compare right & left sides for symmetry.

What is palpation used to determine?

Texture, temperature, organ size, vibrations, pain, etc.

What does percussion assess?

Density & location of underlying structures and detects masses up to 5cm deep.

What are the types of percussion sounds?

Resonant, Hyperresonant, Tympany, Dull, and Flat.

What is the function of auscultation?

To listen to heart, vessels, abdomen, and lungs.

What should you do to ensure accurate auscultation?

Use a clean stethoscope and minimize artifacts.

What is the importance of establishing rapport during health history interviews?

To collect subjective data effectively and make the patient comfortable.

What types of questions should you ask during a health history interview?

Open-ended and direct questions.

What is the OLD CART acronym used for?

To assess critical characteristics of a symptom: Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating/Alleviating factors, Radiation, Timing.

What does PMH stand for in health history?

Past Medical History.

What is included in a complete health history?

Biographic data, source of history, chief complaint, history of present illness, PMH, family history, review of systems, and functional assessment.

What should you assess in a functional assessment?

Activities of daily living (ADLs), nutrition, and relationships & support.

What is the IPV Tool used for?

To screen for Intimate Partner Violence.

What are some signs of potential violence in a patient?

Clenched fists, pacing, yelling.

What should you do if a patient appears violent?

Trust your instincts, get out, and call security or 911.

What is the significance of cultural considerations in health assessment?

To understand diverse backgrounds and potential misunderstandings in healthcare.

What is the role of non-verbal communication in patient interviews?

It helps establish rapport and shows active listening.

What should you avoid saying during patient interviews?

Providing false reassurance, giving unwanted advice, or using professional jargon.

What is the recommended distance for comfortable patient interaction?

Usually 4 to 5 feet.

What is the purpose of using equal status seating during patient interviews?

To convey that you are working together.

What should you do if a patient is crying during an interview?

Allow them to cry and provide support.

What is the importance of documenting health history?

To maintain accurate records and facilitate ongoing care.

What is the first step of the physical assessment?

General Survey

What does the General Survey evaluate?

Overall impression of general health state, including appearance, hygiene, mood, alertness, and posture.

What should be observed in a patient's physical appearance during a General Survey?

Age, nutrition, sexual development, and signs of acute distress such as pain or dyspnea.

What is a key clinical tip regarding first impressions?

A patient who looks 'sick' from the doorway often is.

What should you do if the General Survey reveals acute distress?

Shift immediately into emergency care.

What is the formula for calculating Body Mass Index (BMI)?

BMI = (Weight in lbs / (Height in inches)²) x 703

What BMI range indicates underweight?

BMI < 18.5

What BMI range indicates normal weight?

BMI 18.5 - 24.9

What BMI range indicates obesity?

BMI 30.0 - 39.9

What is the normal core temperature range for adults?

36.1-37.2°C (97-99°F)

What temperature is considered a fever?

≥38°C (100.4°F)

What is the most accurate method for measuring core temperature?

Rectal temperature measurement.

What is the normal resting heart rate range for adults?

60-100 beats per minute.

What is bradycardia?

A heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute.

What is tachycardia?

A heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute.

What does a weak/thready pulse indicate?

Decreased stroke volume.

How is pulse force graded?

On a scale of 0 to 3+: 0 = Absent, 1+ = Weak/thready, 2+ = Normal, 3+ = Bounding.

What does a bounding pulse suggest?

Increased stroke volume, which may occur in conditions like exercise or anxiety.

What is the significance of measuring weight serially?

Trends over time provide a more accurate picture of a patient's health than a single measurement.

What should be done to ensure accurate weight measurements?

Weigh the patient at the same time each day and remove shoes and heavy clothing.

What is the normal temperature for oral measurement?

37°C (98.6°F)

What is the normal temperature for rectal measurement?

38°C (1 degree higher than oral)

What is the normal temperature for axillary measurement?

36°C (1 degree lower than oral)

What is the normal temperature for tympanic measurement?

37°C (comparable to oral)

What should be noted about the diurnal cycle of body temperature?

It varies by 1-1.5 degrees F, with lower temperatures in the early morning and higher in the late afternoon.

What does the term 'android obesity' refer to?

Fat distribution primarily in the upper body, which is associated with a greater risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

What does the term 'gynoid obesity' refer to?

Fat distribution primarily in the lower body.

What are the characteristics of normal respirations?

Relaxed, regular, automatic, silent; no visible effort, nasal flaring, accessory muscle use, or audible sounds at rest.

What is the normal respiratory rate for adults?

10-20 breaths per minute.

What is tachypnea?

Increased respiratory rate.

What is bradypnea?

Decreased respiratory rate.

What is apnea?

Absence of breathing.

What should be assessed in addition to respiratory rate?

Depth (shallow, normal, deep), effort (unlabored vs. labored), pattern (regular vs. irregular), and symmetry of chest movement.

What does blood pressure measure?

The force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries.

What is systolic blood pressure (SBP)?

The maximum pressure in the arteries during systole when the left ventricle contracts.

What is diastolic blood pressure (DBP)?

The pressure remaining in the arteries during diastole when the heart is relaxing.

How is pulse pressure calculated?

Pulse Pressure (PP) = SBP - DBP.

What is the normal resting pulse pressure in adults?

Roughly 30-50 mm Hg.

What is mean arterial pressure (MAP)?

The average pressure in the arteries across the entire cardiac cycle.

What is the formula for calculating MAP?

MAP = DBP + (1/3) * (SBP - DBP).

What factors can cause variations in blood pressure?

Age, gender, race, stress, diurnal rhythm, weight, and exercise.

What is hypotension?

Blood pressure lower than 90/60 mm Hg for normotensive adults.

What are common symptoms of hypotension?

Tachycardia, dizziness, diaphoresis, cool and clammy skin.

What is orthostatic blood pressure?

A drop in blood pressure when a person stands up, typically assessed by measuring BP in supine, sitting, and standing positions.

What are common errors in measuring blood pressure?

Incorrect cuff size, arm position not at heart level, and deflation speed.

What is the purpose of a pulse oximeter?

To measure oxygen saturation (SaO2) of hemoglobin.

What is a common limitation of pulse oximeters in certain patients?

They may overestimate SaO2 in patients with dark skin tones.

What is the normal range for oxygen saturation (SaO2)?

97%-98%.

What is the role of the Doppler device in blood pressure measurement?

To detect Korotkoff sounds when they cannot be heard with a stethoscope, often in patients with low blood pressure.

What should be done before measuring blood pressure?

Ensure clean hands and stethoscope, and allow the patient to rest.

What is the significance of a wide pulse pressure?

It can indicate increased stroke volume or stiff arteries.

What is the significance of a narrow pulse pressure?

It suggests decreased stroke volume.

What is the expected change in blood pressure with age?

Blood pressure tends to increase with age, especially systolic BP.

What is the impact of stress on blood pressure?

Blood pressure increases with continuous stress.

What is the effect of exercise on blood pressure?

Blood pressure increases during exercise but typically returns to baseline within 5 minutes.