Ch 31_ Assessment Flashcards
What are the characteristics of a focused assessment?
- Focuses on certain system(s) in priority
- Typically respiratory or cardiovascular
- Once stable, then proceed with comprehensive
Observing top to bottom, left to right, anterior to posterior describes what action?
Assessing for symmetry
When we perform a comprehensive assessment, we move from _____ to _____ invasive unless there is ____, which requires priority attention.
least, most, pain
What are the 4 techniques of physical assessment?
Briefly describe each.
- Inspection; what you see
- Palpation; what you feel with light, then deep touching
- Percussion; vibrations heard by tapping a region; indicates location size density of structures; more of an advanced MD or NP method
- Auscultation; what you hear
What is erythema?
Superficial reddening of the skin, usually in patches, as a result of injury or irritation causing dilatation of the blood capillaries.
What is vitiligo?
A long-term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment (hypopigmentation).
What types of things can be indicated by observing the color of the skin?
- Adequate blood perfusion
- Erythema
- Cyanosis
- Jaundice
How is cyanosis observed and what does it indicate?
- Blueish skin
- Observed at the mouth or mucus membranes
- Low oxygen
- Late sign of hypoxia
How is jaundice observed and what does it indicate?
- Yellowish hue in skin or sclera
- Indicates liver issues
What are some skin observations that can indicate hydration issues?
- Dryness
- Dried lips
- Sunken neck
- Turgor
What are the 6 general items being observed while assessing the skin?
- Color
- Moisture
- Temperature
- Texture
- Integrity
- Turgor
When observing edema, a deeper level indicates…
fluid excess
How are the grades of edema documented?
(give depth as well)
- +1 = 2mm
- +2 = 4mm
- +3 = 6mm
- +4 = 8mm
- *there is nothing greater than +4 on this scale,
- *+8 does not exist)
When checking for melanoma, how is “ABCDE” utilized?
- A = Asymmetry; not uniform
- B = Border; irregularity; ragged edges
- C = Color; not uniform; blue-black; white-gray; red
- D = Diameter; greater than a pencil eraser
- E = Evolving ; changing in appearance
Descibe a Macule
- Flat, nonpalpable change in skin color
- smaller than 1cm
- ex. freckle
Describe a Papule
- Palpable, circumscribed, solid elevation in skin
- smaller than 1cm
- a small mole
Describe a Nodule:
- growth of abnormal tissue.
- Nodules can develop just below the skin. They can also develop in deeper skin tissues or internal organs.
- a general term to describe any lump underneath the skin that’s at least 1 centimeter in size or larger
- ex. wart
Describe a wheal
- Irregularly shaped, elevated area or superficial localized edema
- Varies in size
- Ex. hive or misquito bite
Describe a vesicle
- Raised lesion filled with serous fluid
- ex. blister
Describe Pustule
- Circumscribed elevation of skin smaller to vesicle
- filled with pus
- ex. acne, staphylococcal infection
What does PERRLA stand for?
P = Pupil
E = Equal
R = Round
R = Reactive
L = Light
A = Accomodation (constriction of pupil when close, relaxation when light taken away
Pupil dilation indicates
neurological issues
Eye coordination is the responsibility of which cranial nerve?
III; Occulomotor
The tympanic membrane is usually ____ in color
pearly gray