Barriers to Health Assessment
Overview Barriers = conditions that make assessing certain body systems or processes difficult or impossible Nursing Points General Types of Barriers Communication Language Sensory deficits Emotional Physiologic Physical alterations Neurologic alterations Neuromuscular alterations Treatment-Related Drug-induced Device-related Restrictions Assessment Communication Language-Barrier Cannot ask questions or understand answer Obtain an interpreter Cannot use family members for legal […]
Intro to Health Assessment
Overview Develop a Framework for a Head to Toe Assessment Nursing Points General Order of actions Inspect Palpate Percuss Auscultate Exception = Abdominal Assessment Inspect Auscultate Palpate Percuss **Palpation and Percussion may alter bowel sounds Maintain professionalism Assessment Suggested order General Assessment Integumentary Can be done throughout assessment while inspecting other body systems Neurological Head/Neck […]
Admissions, Discharges, and Transfers
Overview Patient Disposition Admissions Discharges Transfers Nursing Points General Admissions Inpatient vs Outpatient Keys for Admission Process Identify Patient Introduce Self Vital Signs Assessment Patient Orientation Admission Must Haves Health History Medications Plan of Care Discharge Planning Continual throughout hospitalization Education Evaluation Provider Orders If none available, results in delay of care Discharges Discharge […]
Advance Directives
Overview Advance Directives Living Will Medical Power of Attorney Nursing Points General Patient Wishes & Advocacy Patient Wishes Patient Advocacy Living Will Legal Document Written out for instances for which a patient cannot communicate their decisions Often DNR/Partial DNR/Full Code Wishes Full Code Chemicals/Drugs Compressions Shocks Intubation DNR – Do Not Resuscitate None of […]
Introduction to Health Assessment
Overview While it is impossible to list every possible disorder of the various body systems, this course will attempt to provide the outline for a basic physical assessment to allow the nurse the ability to determine if the patient has any outlying abnormalities. This is not intended to be a complete guide to pathophysiology but […]