Physical Assessment Techniques &
Therapeutic Communication (Answered)
Updated Fall 2024/2025. 63 Q&A.
Subjective data
Information reported by the patient or personally assessed.
Objective data
Measurable data like vitals and physical exam findings.
Diaphragm
Stethoscope part for high-pitched sounds.
Bell
Stethoscope part for low-pitched and vascular sounds.
Therapeutic communication
Using open-ended questions to encourage patient expression.
OLDCARTS & PQRST
Mnemonics for assessing symptoms.
Acute pain symptoms
May include increased BP and pulse.
General survey purpose
Develop overall patient impression and identify needs.
Bradycardia
Heart rate below 60 BPM.
Tachycardia
Heart rate above 100 BPM.
Hypotension
Low blood pressure.
SpO2
Oxygen saturation above 95%.
, Bradypnea
Respiratory rate below 12 breaths per minute.
Tachypnea
Respiratory rate above 20 breaths per minute.
Normal temperature range
97.7-100.5°F.
Palpation order
Always palpate tender areas last.
Bladder palpation
Palpable when full, not when empty.
Hemorrhoids
Swollen veins causing rectal symptoms.
Self-breast exams
Routine breast self-examinations.
Lymphatic normal findings
Non-swollen, non-tender lymph nodes.
Lymphatic abnormal findings
Visible, bulging lymph nodes.
Percussion of CVA
Assessing renal inflammation indirectly.
Expected age-related findings
Joint degeneration, decreased muscle tone, etc.
Assessment
First step of the nursing process.
Correct assessment sequence
Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation.
BMI calculation
Determining weight category based on height and weight.
Follow-up value
Therapeutic Communication (Answered)
Updated Fall 2024/2025. 63 Q&A.
Subjective data
Information reported by the patient or personally assessed.
Objective data
Measurable data like vitals and physical exam findings.
Diaphragm
Stethoscope part for high-pitched sounds.
Bell
Stethoscope part for low-pitched and vascular sounds.
Therapeutic communication
Using open-ended questions to encourage patient expression.
OLDCARTS & PQRST
Mnemonics for assessing symptoms.
Acute pain symptoms
May include increased BP and pulse.
General survey purpose
Develop overall patient impression and identify needs.
Bradycardia
Heart rate below 60 BPM.
Tachycardia
Heart rate above 100 BPM.
Hypotension
Low blood pressure.
SpO2
Oxygen saturation above 95%.
, Bradypnea
Respiratory rate below 12 breaths per minute.
Tachypnea
Respiratory rate above 20 breaths per minute.
Normal temperature range
97.7-100.5°F.
Palpation order
Always palpate tender areas last.
Bladder palpation
Palpable when full, not when empty.
Hemorrhoids
Swollen veins causing rectal symptoms.
Self-breast exams
Routine breast self-examinations.
Lymphatic normal findings
Non-swollen, non-tender lymph nodes.
Lymphatic abnormal findings
Visible, bulging lymph nodes.
Percussion of CVA
Assessing renal inflammation indirectly.
Expected age-related findings
Joint degeneration, decreased muscle tone, etc.
Assessment
First step of the nursing process.
Correct assessment sequence
Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation.
BMI calculation
Determining weight category based on height and weight.
Follow-up value
