NURSING 1J02 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Pulse Oximetry, Otoscope, Ophthalmoscopy
22 Feb 2017
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Week 02 introduction to physical exam techniques review of mental status. Complete physical examination done for: routine screening/preventative health, routine yearly medical exam, insurance eligibility, pre-employment for new job, admission to hospital or long-term care. For acute illness, nurse assesses only involved body systems. Skill of using senses of sight, smell, touch, and hearing to gather data. Skills of physical examination are inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. Performed one at a time, in above order. Starts with general survey, then start assessment of each body system with inspection. Inspection can detect: size, shape/contour, colour, symmetry, position, drainage, and abnormalities. Compare patient"s right and left sides (symmetrical) Use good lighting, ensure adequate patient exposure. Will include instruments for specific body systems: otoscope, ophthalmoscope, specula: vaginal, nasal, penlight. Using sense of touch can confirm points noted during inspection. Tapping kin with short, sharp strokes to assess underlying structures. Yields palpable vibration and characteristic sounds: location, size, density of underlying organs.
