Study Guide for Fundamentals of Nursing The Art and Science of Nursing Care

34. The patient lies on the back with legs
    separated, knees bent, and soles of the
    feet flat on the bed. This position is used
    to assess the head and neck, anterior
    thorax and lungs, breasts, heart, extrem-
    ities, and peripheral pulses.


35. The patient lies flat on the back with legs
    together but extended and slightly bent
    at the knees. This position is used to
    assess the head and neck, anterior thorax
    and lungs, breasts, heart, abdomen,
    extremities, and peripheral pulses.


36. The patient lies on the abdomen, flat on
    the bed, with the head turned to one
    side. This position is used to assess the
    hip joint and posterior thorax.

SHORT ANSWER

1.Identify five purposes of performing a health

assessment.

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

2.Briefly describe how the following instruments

are used in a health assessment.

a.Ophthalmoscope:

b.Otoscope:

c. Snellen chart:

d.Nasal speculum:

e.Vaginal speculum:

f. Tuning fork:

g.Percussion hammer:

3.List four factors that should be considered

when deciding on a position for the physical

assessment of a patient.

a.

b.

c.

d.

4.Describe how you would prepare a patient

and the environment for a physical

assessment.

a.Patient:

b.Environment:

5.Complete the table below listing the

four assessment techniques; give a brief

description of each technique and the types

of assessments made.

148 UNIT VI ACTIONS BASIC TO NURSING CARE

Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Study Guide for Fundamentals of Nursing:

Technique Definition Assessment/Observation

a. Inspection:

b. Palpation:

c. Percussion:

d. Auscultation:

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