What is a physical examination? Show
A physical examination is a routine test your primary care provider (PCP) performs to check your overall health. A PCP may be a doctor, a nurse practitioner, or a physician assistant. The exam is also known as a wellness check. You don’t have to be sick to request an exam. The physical exam can be a good time to ask your PCP questions about your health or discuss any changes or problems that you have noticed. There are different tests that can be performed during your physical examination. Depending on your age or medical or family history, your PCP may recommend additional testing. A physical examination helps your PCP to determine the general status of your health. The exam also gives you a chance to talk to them about any ongoing pain or symptoms that you’re experiencing or any other health concerns that you might have. A physical examination is recommended at least once a year, especially in people over the age of 50. These exams are used to:
Read more: What do you want to know about vaccinations? » These exams are also a good way to check cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. These levels may be high without you ever showing any signs or symptoms. Regular screening allows your PCP to treat these conditions before they become severe. Your PCP may also perform a physical exam before a surgery or before beginning your treatment for a medical condition. Make your appointment with the PCP of your choice. If you have a family PCP, they can provide you with a physical examination. If you don’t already have a PCP, you can contact your health insurance for a list of providers in your area. Proper preparation for your physical examination can help you get the most out of your time with your PCP. You should gather the following paperwork before your physical examination:
You may want to dress in comfortable clothing and avoid any excess jewelry, makeup, or other things that would prevent your PCP from fully examining your body. Before meeting with your PCP, a nurse will ask you a series of questions regarding your medical history, including any allergies, past surgeries, or symptoms you might have. They may also ask about your lifestyle, including if you exercise, smoke, or drink alcohol. Your PCP will usually begin the exam by inspecting your body for unusual marks or growths. You may sit or stand during this part of the exam. Next, they may have you lie down and will feel your abdomen and other parts of your body. When doing this, your PCP is inspecting the consistency, location, size, tenderness, and texture of your individual organs. Learn more: Getting a physical examination » Your PCP will use a stethoscope — the listening device doctors typically keep around their necks — to listen to various parts of your body. This could include listening to your lungs while you take deep breaths and listening to your intestines. Your PCP will also use the stethoscope to listen your heart to make sure there are no abnormal sounds. Your PCP can evaluate your heart and valve function and hear your heart’s rhythm during the exam. Your PCP will also use a technique known as “percussion,” which involves tapping the body like it’s a drum. This technique helps your PCP discover fluid in areas where it shouldn’t be, as well as locate the borders, consistency, and size of organs. Your PCP will also check your height, weight, and pulse (whether it’s too slow or too fast). Be sure to communicate with your PCP if you have any concerns throughout the exam. While you can always contact your PCP as needed, your physical examination is your private time set up to ask questions about anything health-related. If you don’t understand any test that your PCP is doing, don’t hesitate to ask questions. After the appointment, you are free to go about your day. Your PCP may follow up with you after the exam via phone call or email. They will generally provide you with a copy of your test results and carefully go over the report. Your PCP will point out any problem areas and tell you anything that you should be doing. Depending on what your PCP finds, you may need other tests or screenings at a later date. If no additional tests are needed and no health problems arise, you are set until next year. What are the four basic methods of physical assessment?The four basic methods or techniques that are used for physical assessment are inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation. Inspection is a visual examination of the patient; palpation is done when the person doing the assessment places their fingers on the body to determine things like swelling, masses, and areas of pain.
How do you conduct a physical assessment in nursing?1 Apply knowledge of nursing procedures and psychomotor skills to techniques of physical assessment 2 Choose physical assessment equipment and techniques appropriate for the client (e.g., age of client, measurement of vital signs) 3 Perform comprehensive health assessment
What is an assessment of the muscular system?Assessment of the Musculoskeletal System. Inspection: The major muscles of the body are inspected by the nurse to determine their size, and strength, and the presence of any tremors, contractures, muscular weakness and/or paralysis. All joints are assessed for their full range of motion.
What is the physical assessment section of the NCLEXIn this section of the NCLEX-RN examination, you will be expected to demonstrate your knowledge and skills of techniques of physical assessment in order to: Choose physical assessment equipment and techniques appropriate for the client (e.g., age of client, measurement of vital signs)
What is the first step in a physical assessment?In medical terms, “inspection” means to look at the person or body part. It is the first step in a physical exam.
What is the correct order for physical assessment?Order of physical assessment: Inspect, palpate, percuss, auscultate. EXCEPT for assessing the abdomen: Inspect, auscultate, percuss, palpate (to avoid altering bowel sounds).
What are the steps to complete a physical assessment?The framework presented here consists of the following sequence of steps: identifying the purpose of the assessment; taking a health history; choosing a comprehensive or focused approach; and examining the patient using the sequence of inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation.
Which action by a nurse is appropriate before beginning a physical examination of a client?Which action is most important to take before beginning the examination? Wash hands before examination in the examination room. The nurse should wash hands before examination in the examination room in front of the client to assure the client that his or her safety is first priority.
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Which action by a patient marks the beginning of the physical assessment process
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