CSN Exam 2 Health Assessment & Physical Examination Nursing Study Guide and Exam Review
CSN EXAM 2 HEALTH ASSESSMENT & PHYSICAL…
objectives and definitiond
# Term Definition
1 Describe the components of 1. Nursing Interview- includes biographical data,
health assessment and physical nursing health history chief complaint. present
examination illness, past medical history, health patterns and
Review of Systems 2. Behavioral Examination-
includes the client in the psychological/emotional
presence 3. Physical Examination- a. initial
(baseline)- as the client enters the health care
system b. focused- ongoing; to assess an area of
concern or evaluate an intervention. *complexity
determined by client need 4.Comprehensive- all 3
components: nursing interview, behavioral and
physical examination
2 Describe the 4 techniques of 1. Inspection- visual examination; to look, to
examination notice, to smell. The nurse observes shape, size,
color, position, movement, symmetry, equality,
etc. 2. Palpation- using the sense of touch; to feel
, to stroke the surface of an area to detect its
characteristics such as temp., vibration, turgor,
texture, masses 3. Percussion- this technique not
practiced in Basics 4. Auscultation- listening to
sounds produced in the body.
3 Explain the procedures used to PROCEDURE: inspect all areas and palpate the
perform the physical examination non-mucous membrane skin surfaces NORMAL
for the skin Describe the normal FINDINGS: Adult- Color- color uniform, light to
findings for the middle age and dark pink or brown Moisture- dry; exceptions
older adult client may be hands, face, axillae and skin folds Older
Adults- Color- Senile lentigo- brown age spots
due to sun exposure. May have pallor even in the
absence of anemia. Skin may appear thin and
translucent
4 Explain the procedures used to PROCEDURE: dorsal surface of hand; compare
perform the physical examination temp of upper and lower extremities NORMAL
for the temperature of skin FINDINGS: Adults- warm Older Adults-
Describe the normal findings for extremities cooler to touch; decreased
the middle age and older adult perspiration
client
5 Explain the procedures used to PROCEDURE: stroke the skin's surface with the
perform the physical examination pads of the finger NORMAL FINDINGS: Adult-
for the texture of the skin smooth, soft, consistent; elbows, palms, and
Describe the normal findings for soles rougher/thicker
the middle age and older adult
client
, CSN Exam 2 Health Assessment & Physical Examination Nursing Study Guide and Exam Review
CSN EXAM 2 HEALTH ASSESSMENT & PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
# Term Definition
6 Explain the procedures used to PROCEDURES: grasp with fingers and lift skin,
perform the physical examination then release it. Use the areas over the sternum
for the skin turgor Describe the or clavicle NORMAL FINDINGS: Adult- supple;
normal findings for the middle when released the skin quickly snaps back to
age and older adult client pre-tested position. Older Adult- sluggish due to
decreased elasticity and SC tissue; wrinkles,
sagging
7 Explain the procedures used to PROCEDURE: notice if the skin is shiny, stretched,
perform the physical examination or taut; inspect for symmetry. Measure in
for edema Describe the normal millimeters with tape measure. Depress the skin
findings for the middle age and surface over a bony area if possible to observe
older adult client for pitting. If the client has cardiac, renal or liver
disorder or malnutrition, the nurse should
measure abdominal girth at umbilicus to assess
for ascites which is edema within the abdominal
cavity. Compare daily weight. NORMAL
FINDINGS: Adults- none, edema is never a
normal finding
8 Explain the procedures used to PROCEDURES: Assess lesions for location, size,
perform the physical examination shape, color, texture, raised or flat, mobility,
for skin lesions Describe the drainage, tenderness, etc. NORMAL FINDINGS:
normal findings for the middle Adults- free of lesions Older Adult- skin tags or
age and older adult client senile keratosis (thickening), cherry angiomas
(small, raised red papules), atrophic warts; all are
clinically insignificant
9 Explain the procedures used to PROCEDURES: inspect for even distribution,
perform the physical examination thickness; palpate for texture, oiliness,
for hair Describe the normal infestations (lice); gently tug on hair to assess for
findings for the middle age and loss. observe hair over entire body NORMAL
older adult client FINDINGS: Adults- thin/thick; straight/curly;
fine/course; shiny/resilient; should not come out
in clumps when gently pulled (> 5 strands)
Normal male and female pattern of baldness is
hereditary Older Adult- thinning, graying;
decreased on legs, axillae and pubic area;
hormonal shifts may cause more on ears,
eyebrows or males, on faces of females
10 Explain the procedures used to PROCEDURES: inspect skull for size, shape.
perform the physical examination Palpate skull for lesions using a rotating motion
for the head/scalp Describe the with the fingertips NORMAL FINDINGS: Adult-
normal findings for the middle normocephalic, symmetrical; scalp shiny, intact,
age and older adult client without lesions
CSN EXAM 2 HEALTH ASSESSMENT & PHYSICAL…
objectives and definitiond
# Term Definition
1 Describe the components of 1. Nursing Interview- includes biographical data,
health assessment and physical nursing health history chief complaint. present
examination illness, past medical history, health patterns and
Review of Systems 2. Behavioral Examination-
includes the client in the psychological/emotional
presence 3. Physical Examination- a. initial
(baseline)- as the client enters the health care
system b. focused- ongoing; to assess an area of
concern or evaluate an intervention. *complexity
determined by client need 4.Comprehensive- all 3
components: nursing interview, behavioral and
physical examination
2 Describe the 4 techniques of 1. Inspection- visual examination; to look, to
examination notice, to smell. The nurse observes shape, size,
color, position, movement, symmetry, equality,
etc. 2. Palpation- using the sense of touch; to feel
, to stroke the surface of an area to detect its
characteristics such as temp., vibration, turgor,
texture, masses 3. Percussion- this technique not
practiced in Basics 4. Auscultation- listening to
sounds produced in the body.
3 Explain the procedures used to PROCEDURE: inspect all areas and palpate the
perform the physical examination non-mucous membrane skin surfaces NORMAL
for the skin Describe the normal FINDINGS: Adult- Color- color uniform, light to
findings for the middle age and dark pink or brown Moisture- dry; exceptions
older adult client may be hands, face, axillae and skin folds Older
Adults- Color- Senile lentigo- brown age spots
due to sun exposure. May have pallor even in the
absence of anemia. Skin may appear thin and
translucent
4 Explain the procedures used to PROCEDURE: dorsal surface of hand; compare
perform the physical examination temp of upper and lower extremities NORMAL
for the temperature of skin FINDINGS: Adults- warm Older Adults-
Describe the normal findings for extremities cooler to touch; decreased
the middle age and older adult perspiration
client
5 Explain the procedures used to PROCEDURE: stroke the skin's surface with the
perform the physical examination pads of the finger NORMAL FINDINGS: Adult-
for the texture of the skin smooth, soft, consistent; elbows, palms, and
Describe the normal findings for soles rougher/thicker
the middle age and older adult
client
, CSN Exam 2 Health Assessment & Physical Examination Nursing Study Guide and Exam Review
CSN EXAM 2 HEALTH ASSESSMENT & PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
# Term Definition
6 Explain the procedures used to PROCEDURES: grasp with fingers and lift skin,
perform the physical examination then release it. Use the areas over the sternum
for the skin turgor Describe the or clavicle NORMAL FINDINGS: Adult- supple;
normal findings for the middle when released the skin quickly snaps back to
age and older adult client pre-tested position. Older Adult- sluggish due to
decreased elasticity and SC tissue; wrinkles,
sagging
7 Explain the procedures used to PROCEDURE: notice if the skin is shiny, stretched,
perform the physical examination or taut; inspect for symmetry. Measure in
for edema Describe the normal millimeters with tape measure. Depress the skin
findings for the middle age and surface over a bony area if possible to observe
older adult client for pitting. If the client has cardiac, renal or liver
disorder or malnutrition, the nurse should
measure abdominal girth at umbilicus to assess
for ascites which is edema within the abdominal
cavity. Compare daily weight. NORMAL
FINDINGS: Adults- none, edema is never a
normal finding
8 Explain the procedures used to PROCEDURES: Assess lesions for location, size,
perform the physical examination shape, color, texture, raised or flat, mobility,
for skin lesions Describe the drainage, tenderness, etc. NORMAL FINDINGS:
normal findings for the middle Adults- free of lesions Older Adult- skin tags or
age and older adult client senile keratosis (thickening), cherry angiomas
(small, raised red papules), atrophic warts; all are
clinically insignificant
9 Explain the procedures used to PROCEDURES: inspect for even distribution,
perform the physical examination thickness; palpate for texture, oiliness,
for hair Describe the normal infestations (lice); gently tug on hair to assess for
findings for the middle age and loss. observe hair over entire body NORMAL
older adult client FINDINGS: Adults- thin/thick; straight/curly;
fine/course; shiny/resilient; should not come out
in clumps when gently pulled (> 5 strands)
Normal male and female pattern of baldness is
hereditary Older Adult- thinning, graying;
decreased on legs, axillae and pubic area;
hormonal shifts may cause more on ears,
eyebrows or males, on faces of females
10 Explain the procedures used to PROCEDURES: inspect skull for size, shape.
perform the physical examination Palpate skull for lesions using a rotating motion
for the head/scalp Describe the with the fingertips NORMAL FINDINGS: Adult-
normal findings for the middle normocephalic, symmetrical; scalp shiny, intact,
age and older adult client without lesions
