NURS 205 Health Assessment & Communication Final Review

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering health assessment techniques, communication strategies, cranial nerves, and physical examination findings for NURS 205.

Therapeutic communication

A methodology involving empathy, unconditional positive regard, genuineness, respect, and a nonjudgmental attitude.

Open-ended questions

The type of question a nurse should ask first during an interview to allow patients to describe symptoms, such as "Describe your stomach discomfort."

Closed-ended questions

Questions used specifically to clarify or gather specific details.

OLDSCARTS

An acronym for symptom assessment: Onset, Location, Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating/Alleviating factors, Relieving factors, Treatment, and Severity.

Subjective data

Symptoms or information reported directly by the patient.

Objective data

Observable or measurable findings collected by the nurse.

General survey

An assessment of appearance, hygiene, mobility, behavior, and signs of distress that begins the moment the nurse first sees the patient.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

A scale that assesses level of consciousness using eye response, verbal response, and motor response.

GCS score of 15

The highest possible score indicating that the patient is alert and oriented.

GCS score of 3

The lowest possible score indicating deep unresponsiveness and a poor prognosis.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

The average arterial pressure throughout one cardiac cycle.

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration caused by low oxygen, best assessed at the lips, oral mucosa, and extremities.

Jaundice

Yellow discoloration caused by bilirubin buildup, easiest to see in the sclera of the eyes.

Skin turgor

A test performed by pinching skin over the clavicle to assess hydration.

Tenting

A physical finding during skin turgor assessment that indicates dehydration.

Capillary refill time

A normal finding that should be less than 2 seconds.

ABCDE (Melanoma)

Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter greater than 6 mm, and Evolution/change over time.

Clubbing

A physical signs of the nailbeds indicating chronic hypoxia.

Profile sign

The specific assessment used to check for clubbing of the nailbeds.

CN II (Optic nerve)

The cranial nerve tested using a Snellen chart to check for 20/20 visual acuity.

CN III, IV, and VI

The cranial nerves that control extraocular movements (EOMs).

Conjunctivitis

Pink eye or inflammation of the conjunctiva.

CN VII assessment

Determined by asking the patient to smile, frown, and puff cheeks.

CN IX and X

Cranial nerves that control the gag reflex and swallowing.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing, indicated by coughing during meals, drooling, or pocketing food, which creates an aspiration risk.

Tactile fremitus

Vibrations felt on the chest wall using the ulnar or palmar base of hands while the patient says "99."

Cardiac auscultation areas

Aortic, Pulmonic, Erb’s point, Tricuspid, and Mitral.

PMI (Point of Maximal Impulse)

The apical pulse, which is found in the mitral area.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

A condition caused by reduced oxygenated arterial blood flow, resulting in cool, pale, shiny skin and punched out ulcers with smooth borders.

Intermittent claudication

Leg pain during exercise that is relieved by rest, common in PAD.

Venous Insufficiency

A condition resulting from incompetent valves that cause blood pooling, brown hemosiderin staining, and edema.

Venous insufficiency ulcers

Irregular, shallow ulcers located near the inner ankle.

Abdominal assessment order

Inspection → Auscultation → Percussion → Palpation.

Hematemesis

Vomiting blood.

Melena

Black, tarry stool caused by upper GI bleeding.

Hematochezia

Bright red blood in the stool.

Cullen sign

Bluish discoloration around the umbilicus indicating internal bleeding.

5 P's of musculoskeletal assessment

Pain, Paralysis, Paresthesia, Pallor, and Pulselessness.

Paresthesia

Numbness or tingling.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline.

Pronation

Palm facing downward.

Supination

Palm facing upward.

Inversion

Sole turns toward the midline.

Eversion

Sole turns away from the midline.

Dorsiflexion

Foot moves upward.

Plantar flexion

Foot points downward.

Kyphosis

Forward rounding of the upper back.

Lordosis

Excessive inward lumbar curve.

Scoliosis

Lateral S-shaped spinal curvature.

Ataxic gait

An unsteady, uncoordinated gait.

Romberg test

A test assessing cerebellar function and balance.

Priority nursing assessment (ABCs)

The fundamental guide for priorities: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (safety).