Assessment in Healthcare

• Assessment in healthcare involves evaluating a patient's condition to inform diagnosis and treatment.
• It includes identifying risk factors, recognizing signs and symptoms, and employing diagnostic tests.
• Differentiating between signs and symptoms with maternal versus genetic origins is crucial for accurate assessment.

Risk Factors

• Risk factors are elements that increase the likelihood of developing a disease or condition.
• These can include genetic predispositions, maternal health conditions during pregnancy, and environmental exposures.
• Identifying risk factors aids in early detection and preventive strategies.

Maternal vs Genetic Signs & Symptoms

• Maternal signs and symptoms arise from the mother's health condition during pregnancy affecting the fetus.
• Genetic signs and symptoms result from inherited genetic mutations.
• Distinguishing between the two is essential for pinpointing the origin of a condition.

Respiratory Symptoms

• Respiratory symptoms indicate abnormalities within the respiratory system.
• Examples include dyspnea (shortness of breath), cyanosis (bluish skin), and abnormal breathing patterns.
• Assessment involves monitoring respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and auscultation of lung sounds.

Cardiac Symptoms

• Cardiac symptoms suggest irregularities in heart function.
• Common symptoms are chest pain, palpitations, edema, and fatigue.
• Evaluation includes measuring heart rate, blood pressure, and assessing peripheral perfusion.

Other Symptoms

• Other symptoms can vary widely depending on the affected system or condition.
• These may include gastrointestinal issues, neurological deficits, or musculoskeletal abnormalities.
• Obtaining a comprehensive patient history is essential for identifying relevant symptoms.

Diagnostic Tests

• Diagnostic tests are procedures used to confirm a diagnosis or assess the severity of a condition.
• These tests provide objective data to supplement clinical findings.
• Selection of diagnostic tests depends on the suspected underlying issue.

CXR/Echo

• CXR (chest X-ray) is an imaging technique to visualize the structures within the chest.
• It helps identify lung abnormalities, heart size, and vascular congestion.
• Echo (echocardiogram) uses ultrasound to assess heart structure and function.
• It provides information on valve function, chamber size, and cardiac output.

EKG / ABG

• EKG (electrocardiogram) records the electrical activity of the heart.
• It helps detect arrhythmias, ischemia, and conduction abnormalities.
• ABG (arterial blood gas) measures the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood.
• It assesses respiratory function and acid-base balance.

Cardiac Cath

• Cardiac catheterization involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel to access the heart.
• It allows for visualization of coronary arteries, measurement of pressures, and obtaining biopsies.
• It is used to diagnose and treat various heart conditions.