Podcast
Questions and Answers
A general survey is a comprehensive assessment that focuses solely on the client's physical appearance.
A general survey is a comprehensive assessment that focuses solely on the client's physical appearance.
False (B)
The mental status examination is not a crucial part of a general survey.
The mental status examination is not a crucial part of a general survey.
False (B)
The general survey provides only a general overview of the client's health without specific details.
The general survey provides only a general overview of the client's health without specific details.
False (B)
The vital signs are not considered part of the general survey.
The vital signs are not considered part of the general survey.
The general survey involves subjective observations of the client.
The general survey involves subjective observations of the client.
Assessing the client's level of attentiveness is not part of the mental status examination.
Assessing the client's level of attentiveness is not part of the mental status examination.
A general survey should be performed before performing a head-to-toe assessment.
A general survey should be performed before performing a head-to-toe assessment.
The core temperature of the body is measured in the deep tissues, including the abdominal and pelvic cavities.
The core temperature of the body is measured in the deep tissues, including the abdominal and pelvic cavities.
Digital thermometers are not able to measure the temperature of the ear.
Digital thermometers are not able to measure the temperature of the ear.
The subcutaneous tissue and fat contribute to the body's core temperature.
The subcutaneous tissue and fat contribute to the body's core temperature.
Hormonal fluctuations have no impact on body temperature.
Hormonal fluctuations have no impact on body temperature.
The process of sweating helps to increase heat production.
The process of sweating helps to increase heat production.
The pulse, a shock wave produced by the heart, mainly travels through veins.
The pulse, a shock wave produced by the heart, mainly travels through veins.
Vasoconstriction is a physiological response that helps the body conserve heat.
Vasoconstriction is a physiological response that helps the body conserve heat.
Shivering is a mechanism that reduces heat production in the body.
Shivering is a mechanism that reduces heat production in the body.
A person's body temperature is typically the lowest in the late afternoon or evening.
A person's body temperature is typically the lowest in the late afternoon or evening.
The term 'general survey' refers to a broad overview of the patient, encompassing vital signs and overall health.
The term 'general survey' refers to a broad overview of the patient, encompassing vital signs and overall health.
A glass thermometer is the only type of thermometer that can be used to measure rectal temperature.
A glass thermometer is the only type of thermometer that can be used to measure rectal temperature.
An athlete's heart rate can be as low as $40$ beats per minute and still be considered normal.
An athlete's heart rate can be as low as $40$ beats per minute and still be considered normal.
The term "hypertensive crises" refers to a blood pressure reading that is consistently above $180/120$ mmHg.
The term "hypertensive crises" refers to a blood pressure reading that is consistently above $180/120$ mmHg.
A healthy adult's respiratory rate is typically between $10$ and $15$ breaths per minute.
A healthy adult's respiratory rate is typically between $10$ and $15$ breaths per minute.
A person's pulse rate can be affected by factors like fever, illness, or injury, but not by emotional state.
A person's pulse rate can be affected by factors like fever, illness, or injury, but not by emotional state.
The diastolic pressure is the force of the blood pressing against the artery walls when the heart is contracting and pumping blood.
The diastolic pressure is the force of the blood pressing against the artery walls when the heart is contracting and pumping blood.
Flashcards
Pulse Rate
Pulse Rate
The number of times the heart beats per minute, normally 60-100.
Respiratory Rate
Respiratory Rate
The number of breaths taken per minute, normally 12-16 at rest.
Systolic Pressure
Systolic Pressure
The higher blood pressure reading when the heart contracts.
Diastolic Pressure
Diastolic Pressure
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Pain as a Vital Sign
Pain as a Vital Sign
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General Survey
General Survey
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Purpose of General Survey
Purpose of General Survey
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Mental Status Examination
Mental Status Examination
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Components of Mental Status
Components of Mental Status
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Vital Signs
Vital Signs
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Overall Impression
Overall Impression
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Assessment Steps
Assessment Steps
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Core Temperature
Core Temperature
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Surface Temperature
Surface Temperature
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Heat Production Factors
Heat Production Factors
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Temperature Regulation
Temperature Regulation
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Factors Affecting Body Temperature
Factors Affecting Body Temperature
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Rectal Method
Rectal Method
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Axillary Method
Axillary Method
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Pulse
Pulse
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Temperature Assessment Locations
Temperature Assessment Locations
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Study Notes
Unit 3: Assessment of Health Status (Systematic Approach) - General Survey, Vital Signs
- The general survey is the first step in a head-to-toe assessment, providing information about the client's overall health.
- It includes: overall impression of the client, mental status examination, and vital signs.
- The overall impression involves objectively observing the client's appearance, mobility, and physique.
- The mental status examination is a structured assessment of the patient's behavioral and cognitive functioning, focusing on:
- Level of consciousness, noting posture and body movements
- Appearance and general behavior
- Level of attentiveness
- Motor and speech activity
- Mood and affect
- Thought and perception
- Attitude and insight
- Vital signs include: temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure.
- Temperature:
- Body temperature is measured.
- Two types of temperature are core (deep tissues) and surface (subcutaneous tissue and fat).
- Factors affecting heat production include basal metabolism, muscular activity (shivering), thyroxine and epinephrine (stimulating metabolic rate), and temperature effect on cells.
- Factors affecting heat loss include radiation, conduction/convection, and evaporation.
- Regulation of temperature includes shivering to increase heat production, inhibiting sweating to decrease heat loss, and vasoconstriction to decrease heat loss.
- Factors affecting body temperature include age, diurnal variations (circadian rhythms), exercise, hormones, stress, and environment.
- Normal range for body temperature is typically shown in a visual chart
- Body temperature may be assessed orally, rectally, axillary, by ear, or by skin (forehead).
- Pulse:
- A pulse is a shock wave produced by the heart contracting and pumping blood through arteries.
- The pulse rate is a measurement of the heart rate (number of beats per minute).
- Normal pulse rate for healthy adults is 60-100 beats per minute, but may fluctuate with activity, illness, injury, or emotion.
- It's important to note the rate, rhythm, amplitude, contour, and elasticity when assessing the pulse.
- Respiration:
- The respiratory rate is the number of breaths per minute.
- Respiratory rate may increase with medical conditions (like fever or illness).
- Normal respiration for an adult at rest ranges from 12 to 16 breaths per minute.
- Blood pressure:
- Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against artery walls.
- Systolic pressure is recorded as the higher number (when the heart contracts).
- Diastolic pressure is recorded as the lower number (when the heart is at rest).
- Both pressures are recorded in mm Hg (millimeters of mercury).
- Normal, elevated, stage 1, stage 2, and hypertensive crisis blood pressure ranges are typically detailed in a visual chart
- Pain:
- Pain reveals a lot about a person's health, affecting a person's physical and mental health and quality of life.
- Subjective experience that varies among individuals.
- Pain assessments include:
- Character
- Onset
- Location
- Duration
- Severity
- Pattern
- Associated factors
- Equipment needed:
- Thermometer
- Sphygmomanometer
- Stethoscope
- Watch with a second hand
- Alcohol swabs
- Sheet/gown for draping
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