Health Assessment NUR325 Exam 1 Review

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key concepts from Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10 of the Health Assessment exam study guide, including vital signs, assessment techniques, cultural considerations, and diagnostic reasoning.

Normal Oral Temperature

$37^\circ\text{C}$ ($98.6^\circ\text{F}$); range is $35.8^\circ\text{C}$ to $37.3^\circ\text{C}$ ($96.4^\circ\text{F}$ to $99.1^\circ\text{F}$).

Rectal Temperature

The most accurate, though invasive, temperature route; it measures $0.4\text{ to }0.5^\circ\text{C}$ ($0.7\text{ to }1^\circ\text{F}$) higher than the oral route.

Normal Heart Rate

A resting heart rate in an adult between $50\text{ to }95\,\text{bpm}$ according to current research.

Bradycardia

An adult resting heart rate of less than $50\,\text{bpm}$.

Tachycardia

An adult resting heart rate of more than $95\,\text{bpm}$.

Respiratory Rate (Adult)

Normally between $16\text{ to }25\,\text{breaths per minute}$ with an average of $20/\min$.

Oxygen Saturation ($SpO_2$)

Normal range is $95\text{ to }100\%$; $97\text{ to }99\%$ is healthy on room air.

Assessment Database

The combination of subjective data, objective data, the patient's record, and laboratory studies.

Clinical Judgment

The process of using the database to reach a diagnosis about the patient's health state.

Cue

A single piece of important information about a patient used in diagnostic reasoning.

First-level Priority

Emergent, life-threatening, and immediate issues defined by the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) plus Vital signs ($V$).

Second-level Priority

Urgent assessments or interventions required to prevent further deterioration.

Complete Database

A total health database that includes a full history and physical exam, forming a baseline for the patient.

Emergency Database

A rapid collection of data taken concurrently with lifesaving measures during resuscitation.

Epigenetics

The study of how environment and behaviors impact gene expression.

Holistic Model of Health

A model focusing on the interdependent functioning of the mind, body, and spirit to maintain optimal health.

Poverty

The factor identified by evidence-based practice (EBP) as having the greatest influence on health status among social determinants.

Culture

Shared, learned beliefs and values of a group.

Ethnicity

A social group containing members who share shared ancestry or traits.

Acculturation

The process of adopting the behaviors of the majority culture.

Biculturalism

A preferred term referring to reciprocal change while maintaining ethnic identity.

Naturalistic/Holistic Theory

The belief system that illness results from an imbalance in nature, such as yin and yang or hot and cold forces.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

The law that protects patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) by mandating access to an interpreter.

FICA Spiritual Screening Tool

An acronym standing for Faith, Importance/influence, Community, and Address/action used to assess spiritual needs.

Cultural Self-Assessment

The first step for a nurse in providing culturally competent care, involving knowing their own beliefs, biases, and values.

Congruency

When verbal and nonverbal messages match; if they conflict, the nonverbal message is considered the truer one.

Symptom

A subjective sensation a patient feels, typically documented in quotes.

Sign

An objective abnormality detected by the nurse during an exam or via laboratory results.

PQRSTU

A mnemonic for assessing symptoms: Provocative/palliative, Quality/quantity, Region/radiation, Severity ($1\text{ to }10$ scale), Timing, and Understanding the patient's perception.

SBAR

A communication framework for handoffs: Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation/Request.

HEEADSSS

A psychosocial assessment tool for adolescents covering Home, Education/employment, Eating, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality, Suicide/depression, and Safety.

Inspection

The first assessment technique in a standard sequence; it involves observation before physical contact and requires good lighting and exposure.

Dorsa of the Hands

The back of the hands, which is used during palpation to assess skin temperature because the skin is thinner there.

Ulnar Surface/Base of Fingers

The part of the hand used during palpation to detect vibration.

Diaphragm (Stethoscope)

The flat side used for hearing high-pitched sounds.

Bell (Stethoscope)

The cuplike side used for hearing low or soft-pitched sounds, held lightly against the skin.

Standard Precautions

Infection prevention measures used with ALL patients regardless of diagnosis, with hand hygiene being the single most important step.

Abdominal Exam Sequence

Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation ($IAPP$), performed in this order so physical touch does not alter bowel sounds.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

A practical marker of optimal weight for height; it indicates obesity or protein-calorie malnutrition.

Waist Circumference

An independent risk factor for disease, measured below the rib cage and above the iliac crest at the end of expiration.

Acromegaly

A condition caused by hyperpituitarism in adulthood resulting in excess growth hormone that enlarges hands, feet, and facial features.

Sinus Arrhythmia

A normal heart rhythm variation in children and young adults where the rate rises with inspiration and slows with expiration.

Pulse Force Scale

A grading scale for pulses: $3+$ (full/bounding), $2+$ (normal), $1+$ (weak/thready), and $0$ (absent).

Pulse Pressure

The difference between systolic and diastolic pressure ($systolic - diastolic$), which reflects stroke volume.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

The pressure forcing blood into the tissues, averaged over the cardiac cycle.

BP Cuff Bladder Dimensions

Width should be $40\%$ of arm circumference; length should be $80\%$ of arm circumference.

Large/Cuffed BP Errors

A cuff that is too narrow or applied too loosely will result in a falsely HIGH reading; a cuff that is too large results in a falsely low reading.

Orthostatic Hypotension

A significant drop in systolic pressure ($>10\text{ mm Hg}$) and a compensatory rise in pulse when changing positions from supine to standing.