Head to Toe Essay

Before the head-to-toe examination, a health history was obtained from the patient, in which a detailed

Ms Sedgewick says that normally, in this type of assessment, a patient’s subjective experience would hold great weight, but in this scenario, the physios have to rely more on objective testing and

An enrolled nurse has a duty of care to ensure a patient’s rights and dignity is preserved throughout every interaction with the patient. Also a enrolled nurse is bound by the code of conduct and code of ethics to protect the patient’s rights. This includes knocking on the patient’s door before entering the room and when meeting a new patient for the first time it is important to introduce yourself. Also explain to the patient that as new patient being admitted to the ward that there is an admission process to go through. As it is the patient’s right, before proceeding reassure the patient that all information discussed will remain private and confidential, (Forrester & Griffith’s, 2010, p 79). This also means the enrolled nurse will ensure

“ What common experiences and understandings are required of students to make sense of the assessment task and productively undertake its solutions”?

The career in nursing has been expanded. Nowadays, nursing is recognized as its own profession rather than just a job. To make it a profession, there are several practices that has been applied by nurses. The physical assessment is one of the practice among them. Within the clinical practices, the physical assessment includes critical care hospital night team member, clinical nurse specialist and emergency practitioner whilst in community setting physical assessment is an important aspect for the nursing practitioner, matrons and clinical nurses (Baid, 2006, pp.710).

For whatever reasons, the difference between one physical assessment and the other should have been demonstrated with improvements on my part. Within the first physical assessment, I think I did a thorough assessment because I checked off on most all parts pf a basic physical assessment. Few things my instructor and I realized after the first physical assessment was to always check the skin thoroughly, including bony projections such as the elbow, the heels, and the coccyx area. It was brought to my attention that if a patient has left the dentures at home, to ask that patient how he/she is eating, a regular or a pureed diet, that prevents aspiration if she/he has a steak or any other solid foods. Within the second physical assessment, I noticed the patient was alert and oriented times two, which was difficult to carry out a conversation and ask specific questions without repeating myself. Although it was better to choose a different patient, not all patients will be alert and oriented times three or four. As nursing students, we should experience everything within our scope to apply it at real life, including working with patients who have dementia or are not alert and oriented times three or four. On both physical assessments, the need to improve with the time should be important but at the same time asking questions regarding the patient's health status and related topics so the patient does not feel she/he is a task to be completed by a

Head-to-toe assessments are completed when a person is getting a complete physical or the doctor wants to be thorough with any findings that could relate to a potential concern. Starting with the top of the head, the provider works his way down analyzing each body part and asking questions along the way. A provider must first start out observing the patient generally taking in whatever they can see with the naked eye before going from body part to body part. Then the assessment starts at the very top of the head.

Undertaking this module of physical assessment has made the author more confident in physical assessment , demonstrating knowledge , skills and judgement in patient consultation, gathering data from a good history taking and developing good communication to establish good rapport with patient and family . The application of skills learned such as inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation are the major features in physical assessment and are a foundation in the context of care delivery at advanced level. The SOAPIER model used in this assignment has demonstrated an effective working relationship with the multidisciplinary team thereby aiding a successful diagnosis, treatment and plan implementation for a patient with the symptoms

Overall, the author describes, in detail, the assessments and clinical judgment role within that process. Also, the author presents the need to research these assessments more so that they can be improved for the better (Murray, J & Thomson, M 2010).

Observing the physical signs of a disease and evaluating posture, facial expression, mobility, alertness responsiveness to stimuli, and changes in color comparing all results with what you know about diseases and illnesses. The next step is to take the patients vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate and temperature comparing them to the normal ranges of individuals. By tapping on a patient’s chest, and feeling certain organs over the skin a medical professional can also tell if there is fluid in the lungs or an abnormality due to an illness. The results of a physical test can help a medical professional to determine what the next step in diagnosing the problem of a

Assessment skills were reinforced during this class. During assignments we used different assessment techniques. Inspection, auscultation, percussion and palpation were used to complete an accurate and complete physical examination in weekly case studies. These skills that were used helped us to assess and diagnose individuals in the community. We then planed and implemented care for our patients using evidence based practices in our case studies and discussion questions. We planned education for our patients and came up with plans to elevate the effectiveness of care.

Nurse gives antipyretic to keep the fever down, to give oxygen therapy as ordered. Nurse should encourage the patient to turn and reposition to prevent pressure ulcers, patient in a semi or high fowler’s position to help promote breathing comfort

The first step in correct diagnosis of disease of a patient is to know his medical history. Physician should carefully ask patient information about his/her symptoms such as the onset, duration, and possible relief. The next step is physical examination of the patient. After listening to the patient 's description of the history of the symptoms, physicians generally conduct a physical examination. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion and Auscultation are the four components of physical examination. In general inspection, physician examines general body posture and proportion of the patient and then site of injury is inspected locally. After inspection, physician uses his/her hands and fingers to feel the body of the patient to know the body temperature as well as to feel underlying parts of body of the patient. This procedure is known as palpation. After palpation, physician taps body parts to get information about density of tissues and this is known as percussion. Finally, Auscultation is listening to body sounds with the help of stethoscope.

This part spells out the objectives and purposes of using the assessment methodology. They are stated in specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound (SMART) manner and aligned to the intended outcomes of the syllabus in the said subject.

Take a detailed history of the pt. Perform a physical exam, including skin and wound assessments. During foot examination, nurses should ask patients to remove their shoes and socks and then examine their feet in order to screen patients at high risk and report to a Physician. Facilitate active participation of patients and family members in care and teach patients about importance of regular visits to the clinic. Encourage patient to participate in physical therapy and group activities to help promote