chap 3 outline

Chapter 3 Class Outline

I. Safety

• Items related to safety will be reviewed during practical lab sessions.

• Additional details covered in the assigned readings.

II. Inspection

• Purpose:

  • The initial assessment technique used to examine the body visually.

• Things to consider while performing the inspection:

  • Observe for abnormalities, skin conditions, and posture.

  • Pay attention to symmetry, movement, and behavior.

• What the nurse gathers during the inspection:

  • Information about the patient’s overall health, signs of stress, and physical abnormalities.

III. Palpation

• Purpose:

  • To assess texture, temperature, moisture, and vibrations in the body through touch.

• Dorsum versus Palmar:

  • The dorsal aspect of the hand is used for assessing temperature.

  • The palmar aspect is utilized for general palpation and to perceive texture.

• Finger Pads:

  • Used to assess firmness, contour, and tenderness of tissues.

• Light Palpation:

  • Used to detect surface characteristics, assess tenderness, and identify pulsations.

• Moderate Palpation:

  • Applied for deeper structures; involves pressing down with moderate pressure to examine organs.

IV. Percussion

• Purpose and Definition:

  • A technique used to identify underlying structures by the sound produced when tapping the body surface.

• Types of Percussion Sounds:

  • Flat:

    • Indicates dense tissue, such as muscle or bone.

  • Dull:

    • Suggests fluid or solid mass under the surface.

  • Resonant:

    • Vibrant sound indicating normal lung tissue.

  • Tympanic:

    • Hollow sound, typical of structures containing air, such as the stomach.