NCM 101 HEALTH

ASSESSMENT
DIANNA ROSE BELEN, RN, LPT
COLLECTING OBJECTIVE DATA: THE
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

• Objective data include

information about the client that
the nurse directly observes during
interaction with the client and
information elicited through
physical assessment (examination)
techniques.
• To become proficient with physical assessment skills,
the nurse must have basic knowledge in three
areas:
 Types and operation of equipment needed for
the particular examination (e.g., penlight,
sphygmomanometer, otoscope, tuning fork,
stethoscope)
 Preparation of the setting, oneself, and the
client for the physical assessment
 Performance of the four assessment techniques:
inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.
PREPARING THE PHYSICAL SETTING

• Examination setting must meet the

following conditions:
• Comfortable, warm room temperature:
Provide a warm blanket if the room
temperature cannot be adjusted.
• Private area free of interruptions from
others: Close the door or pull the curtains if
possible.
• Firm examination table or bed at a
height that prevents stooping: A roll-up
stool may be useful when it is
necessary for the examiner to sit for
parts of the assessment.
• A bedside table/tray to hold the
equipment needed for the
examination
 PREPARING ONESELF

• assess your own feelings and anxieties

before examining the client.
• Achieve self- confidence in performing a
physical assessment by practicing the
techniques on a classmate, friend, or
relative.
• Another important aspect of preparing
yourself for the physical assessment
examination is preventing the transmission of
infectious agents.
 CONT’D

• Wash your hands before beginning the

examination, immediately after accidental
direct contact with blood or other body
fluids, and after completing the physical
examination or after removing gloves.

• Always wear gloves if there is a chance

that you will come in direct contact with
blood or other body fluids.
 CONT’D

• If a pin or other sharp object is used

to assess sensory perception, discard
the pin and use a new one for your
next client.
• Wear a mask and protective eye
goggles if you are performing an
examination in which you are likely to
be splashed with blood or other body
fluid droplets.
APPROACHING AND PREPARING THE
CLIENT

• explain to the client that the physical

assessment will follow and describe
what the examination will involve.

• Respect the client’s desires and

requests related to the physical
examination.
• Begin the examination with the less intrusive
procedures such as measuring the client’s
temperature, pulse, blood pressure, height,
and weight.

• Throughout the examination, continue to

explain what procedure you are performing
and why you are performing it.