Comprehensive Assessment
Comprehensive assessments are crucial in high acuity nursing as it allows nurses to establish a baseline for the patient, determine oxygen supply and demand, provide individualized patient care, and make clinical decisions (House-Kokan, 2012). The components of a comprehensive assessment, including a physical assessment, corroborative diagnostic data, and the patient’s story will be assessed (House-Kokan, 2012).
Physical Assessment
Safety. Mr. Fedora is a 38 year-old man with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) who was arrived to the hospital with a blood glucose level (BGL) of 41 mmol/L. He is currently a hallway patient (pt.) admitted to the medical unit. He is currently in pain and nauseous.
Neurological system. Upon inspection, Mr. Fedora has a high level of consciousness, as he was awake, and alert. He has a strong cough that is producing yellow sputum. His gag reflex is present and reports feeling nauseous. The pt. has been dry heaving, but not actively vomiting. Mr. Fedora’s motor function is adequate. Pt. reports pain to his chest and abdomen.
Cardiovascular system. Mr. Fedora’s heart rate (HR) is 145 beats per minute (bpm). His temperature is 38.8˚C when measured both in the axilla and orally. His blood pressure was 80/55. Upon inspection, his skin appeared to be moist.
Respiratory system. Upon inspection, Mr. Fedora’s airway is patent and clear and he is able to maintain it himself. His SpO2 is 90% on room air. He is
Explain legal issues, policies and procedures relevant to assessment, including those for confidentiality, health, safety and welfare
Comprehensive assessments is the most valuable piece which allows Nurse Practitioners to know about the health risks, strengths and needs of their patients. Furthermore, the comprehensive assessment strengths the relationship between the Nurse Practitioners and their patients. From clinician-patients relationship, it helps a complete assessment to answer patients questions which in the long run help to achieve measurable goals and provide quality outcomes to the patients. Nurse Practitioners use comprehensive assessment approach to analyze, interpret, implement and follow up care to ensure their patients receive appropriate care and prevent inappropriate diagnosis. Comprehensive assessment is where the patients are encourage to
Physical Examination: General: The patient is an alert, oriented male appearing his stated age. He appears to be in moderate distress. Vital signs: blood pressure 132/78 and pulse 68 and regular. Temperature is 38.56 oC (101.4 oF). HEENT:Normocephalic, atraumatic. Pupils were equal, round, and reactive to light. Ears are clear. Throat is normal. Neck: The neck is supple with no carotid bruits. Lungs: The lungs are clear to auscultation and percussion. Heart: Regular rate and rhythm. Abdomen:Bowel sounds are normal. There is rebound tenderness with maximal discomfort on palpation in the right lower quadrant. Extremities: No clubbing, cyanosis, or edema.
Pulse oximeter used to check his oxygen saturation level, which was 98% on air with no central or peripheral cyanosis. Since Mr Devi, does not seem to have any sign of abnormal respiration. The next assessment is circulation, where there are many physical signs to look for. The colour of the hand and digits, are they blue, pink, pale or mottled. Also need to measure for capillary refill time (CRT) by applying cutaneous pressure for 5 Sec on a fingertip held at heart level of Mr. Devi. The normal value of CRT is usually less than 2 second prolonged CRT suggests poor peripheral perfusion. Measure his Blood Pressure (B/P), count pulse rate by listening to the heart with a stethoscope or palpate peripheral and central pulses, assessing for the presence, rate, quality, regularity and equality. All of this assessment indicates the cardiovascular system in the patient is within the normal range or is there any emergency measures should take (Resus.org.uk 2016). However, Mr Devi’s circulation is a concern because his HR was 110bpm which is higher than normal range, the normal heart beat for adults ranges from 60-100bpm. Also his BP was 190/99mmhg with mean arterial pressure (MAP) of
Assessment of a patient is a big process of decision making, it is about the collection of information which will contribute to an overall judgement of a person and the illness they may have. Lloyd (2010) states that assessment is one of the first steps which is needed to be done in the nursing process, it is a building block for a relationship and an ongoing process which lets health professionals gather the correct information to help them understand the problems and needs that the patient is going through. Most of the nursing assessment which are in use today will all have very similar aims. The difference is that how the assessment’s are carried out is where the differences come from.
Assessment is the initial stage of the nursing process. Roper et al consistently use the term ‘assessing’ to signify that it is an on-going process, and highlights its continuity throughout the patient’s episode of care (Aggleton & Chalmers, 2000). It is divided into two stages to allow for a holistic representation of the patient to be established (Barrett et al, 2009). Effective assessment allows the prompt identification of any changes in a patient’s health status, and if necessary; allows any action to be carried out immediately supporting the delivery of safe, effective care DH (). The formulation of an accurate assessment is a fundamental skill for a student nurse as outlined by the NMC (2004), and so it is important that a holistic approach is adopted for this skill to be achieved. An holistic approach supports the consideration of……..needs,(THEME?) which
In this Assessment nursing course, one of the major things that is taught is the most important part of giving proper care to a patient. Correct patient assessment is needed before any nursing care plan or treatment can be implemented. This post-review of a person’s assessment will demonstrate the proper way to go about assessing a person’s health.
Assessment in the nursing process will establish the patients' ongoing needs and provide a quality of care best suited to the individual, to achieve a desirable health outcome.
The first stage of the process is assessment. Roper et al (2001) refer to this process as ‘assessing’ indicating an ongoing activity; this encourages nurses to recognise the on-going nature of this initial phase. The assessing stage includes gathering information about a patient, reviewing this information, identifying actual and potential problems and prioritising (Roper et al 2001). Roper et al (2001) explain the importance for assessing, as early as possible in the patient’s stay. Extensive, in-depth information may not be gathered on an initial assessment, however any information obtained contributes towards individualised care (Roper et al 2001). Ambrose and Wittig (1998) explain that the initial assessment becomes a foundation for ongoing assessing and holistic care. Barrett, Wilson and Woollands (2009) concord with Roper et al and Wittig in that assessing is an ongoing process and elaborate on this explaining that assessment should not be confused with admission. They state “an admission tends to be a one-off process when you first meet the patient, whereas assessment carries on throughout your relationship with the patient” (pg22). Assessment enables the nurse and patient to identify actual and potential problems. Although, some problems can be directly related to biological needs, holistic needs must be considered, i.e. psychological state and cultural/social standing
Throughout this paper we’ll be assessing and dissecting the community of Paterson, New Jersey, located in Passaic County. Formerly referred to as an industrial powerhouse that opened many doors of opportunity to the community surrounding it. It added wealth, independence, and economic security to the surrounding areas. The Great Falls and the potential power they generated was the primary cause for this. Alexander Hamilton wanted to construct an industrial city around the Great Falls. He believed manufacturers will increase the power and division of labor throughout the community. These falls were the significant factor
In Thomasos et al. (2015), it indicates that educating nurses is vital in the care of a patient as it reassures accurate acuity assessment scores. Educated nurses will reinforce the safe practice of patient cares. Once a nurse is educated on the tool, they’ll be qualified to complete acuity assessments that will provide the autonomy to plan the intervention and care for the patient (Andrade et al., 2017). Having an educated nurse, knowledgeable about how to assess patient acuities, reinforces the dependability as the nurse has prioritized their cares to meet the needs of the
G.M. was then immediately transferred to Rady Children’s hospital Emergency Room by her parents. Upon nursing assessment she presented with vital signs within the same range from her clinic visit. These were repeated every fifteen minutes until stable. Her skin was flushed and diaphoretic. Mucous membranes appeared dry with significant skin cracking around the mouth. Patient was alert and oriented times three and pupils were equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation. Her breath sounds were clear and equal bilaterally, with no adventitious sounds noted. However, patient G.M. appeared to have
Assessment is described as”The first stage of the nursing process, in which data about the patient’s health status is collected” (Oxford dictionary of nursing, 2003, p23), following this phase a care plan can be devised.
Assessment is the accurate collection of comprehensive data pertinent to the patient’s health or the situation (“American Nurses Association,” 2010). Assessment is the first step in the nursing process and the most important. Assessment is the accurate collection of the patient’s health date
Endocrine: History of Type two diabetes, he stated that his blood before breakfast was 95.