The four physical assessment techniques discussed in the textbook are:

• Inspection: This involves using the senses of vision, smell, and hearing to observe and detect any normal or abnormal findings. For example, the nurse might inspect the patient’s skin for color, texture, and lesions; listen to the patient’s breath sounds; and look for signs of distress.
• Palpation: This involves using the hands to feel for abnormalities in size, shape, consistency, temperature, or tenderness. For example, the nurse might palpate the patient’s abdomen for tenderness or masses, or palpate the patient’s lymph nodes for enlargement.
• Percussion: This involves tapping on the body with the fingers to assess the underlying structures. For example, the nurse might percuss the patient’s chest to assess the lungs, or percuss the patient’s abdomen to assess the organs.
• Auscultation: This involves listening to the sounds produced by the body using a stethoscope. For example, the nurse might auscultate the patient’s heart and lungs, or auscultate the patient’s bowel sounds.

Why is it important to perform the assessment techniques in order?

It is important to perform the assessment techniques in order to ensure that all areas of the body are assessed systematically and thoroughly. This helps to reduce the risk of missing any important findings.

In addition, performing the assessment techniques in order helps to ensure that the patient is not unnecessarily disturbed. For example, the nurse would not want to palpate a patient’s tender abdomen before inspecting the abdomen for lesions.

General Survey

The general survey is a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s overall appearance, mental status, and behavior. It is typically the first step in the physical assessment process.

The general survey includes the following:

• Appearance: The nurse observes the patient’s body build, posture, gait, and hygiene.
• Mental status: The nurse assesses the patient’s level of consciousness, orientation, mood, and affect.
• Behavior: The nurse observes the patient’s interactions with the nurse and other members of the healthcare team.

Why is the general survey important?

The general survey is important because it provides the nurse with a wealth of information about the patient’s overall health and well-being. This information can help the nurse to identify potential problems, to develop a care plan, and to monitor the patient’s progress.

Pain Assessment

Pain assessment is an important part of the nursing process. Pain is a subjective experience, so it is important to assess the patient’s pain in a way that is meaningful to them.

There are a variety of pain scales that can be used to assess pain. One commonly used pain scale is the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). The NRS is a 0-10 scale, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable.

Another commonly used pain scale is the Faces Pain Scale. The Faces Pain Scale is a 6-point scale, with each point showing a different facial expression. The patient chooses the facial expression that best represents their level of pain.

Pain Assessment Example

Patient: My elderly mother, who has dementia

Pain scale used: Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)

Pain assessment findings: My mother reports a pain level of 7 out of 10 in her right knee. She says that the pain is sharp and throbbing. She also says that the pain is worse when she tries to walk.

Conclusion

The four physical assessment techniques discussed in the textbook are inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. It is important to perform the assessment techniques in order to ensure that all areas of the body are assessed systematically and thoroughly.