You Completed Your Full Head-To-Toe Assessment Skills Demons
You Completed Your Full Head To Toe Assessment Skills Demonstration La
You completed your full head-to-toe assessment skills demonstration last week and now will document your results. Continue to document only the objective findings for this section without bias or explanation. Remember if you can’t feel something then it is “nonpalpable,” if you can’t hear something just state they were not heard such as no bowel sounds heard (unless you listened for the full five minutes which we wouldn’t want to do for our purposes – then you could document absent bowel sounds). Be descriptive if necessary but at the same time be brief. Complete Head-to-Toe Physical Assessment Assignment.docx Module 11-Complete Head to Toe Assessment Documentation Assignment.docx Submit your completed assignment by following the directions linked below. Please check the Course Calendar for specific due dates. Save your assignment as a Microsoft Word document. (Mac users, please remember to append the ".docx" extension to the filename.)
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The process of conducting a comprehensive head-to-toe physical assessment is fundamental in nursing practice to establish baseline health status and identify any abnormal findings that require further investigation or intervention. Accurate and objective documentation of these findings ensures continuity of care and provides legal documentation of the assessment process. This paper aims to present a structured approach to documenting the objective findings obtained during a full head-to-toe assessment, emphasizing concise, unbiased, and descriptive reporting suitable for clinical records.
Head and Neck Assessment
The assessment begins with the head and neck examination. The scalp was inspected for lesions, lesions, tenderness, or abnormality – none were noted. The facial features demonstrated symmetry; no facial drooping or swelling was observed. The eyes showed symmetrical conjunctiva and sclera; pupils were equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation (PERRLA). Extraocular movements were intact; no nystagmus was observed. The external ears were symmetrical and no tenderness or discharge was present. The nasal passages were patent without swelling, and mucous membranes were moist. There was no sinus tenderness on palpation. The oral cavity appeared moist; mucous membranes were intact without lesions; the teeth and gums showed no abnormalities. Throat structures were symmetrical without exudate.
Neck Assessment
Palpation of the cervical lymph nodes revealed no lymphadenopathy; nodes were non-tender, soft, movable, and non-enlarged. The trachea was midline. Range of motion of the neck was full, with no pain reported. Carotid arteries were auscultated for bruits; none were heard bilaterally. Pulses were palpable and equal bilaterally.
Chest and Lung Assessment
Inspection of the chest revealed symmetrical expansion. Chest wall was non-tender without deformities. During auscultation, breath sounds were present in all lung fields; no adventitious sounds such as crackles, wheezes, or rhonchi were heard. Respirations were regular, with an even rate of 16 breaths per minute.
Cardiovascular Assessment
The apical pulse was palpated at the fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line, with no abnormal pulsations. Heart sounds S1 and S2 were auscultated and were regular; no murmurs, rubs, or extra sounds were detected. Peripheral pulses (radial, dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial) were palpable, equal, and strong bilaterally.
Abdominal Assessment
The abdomen was inspected for contour, symmetry, and distention; it appeared flat and symmetrical. Skin was intact with no scars or lesions. Bowel sounds were present in all quadrants, evidenced by active sounds during auscultation, with no bruits auscultated. Palpation revealed no tenderness, masses, or organ enlargement; liver and spleen were not palpable.
Musculoskeletal System
The patient demonstrated full range of motion in all major joints: shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles without pain or crepitus. Muscle strength was 5/5 in upper and lower extremities. No deformities, swelling, or abnormalities were observed.
Neurological Assessment
Orientation was intact to person, place, and time. Cranial nerve functions (II-XII) were grossly intact. Sensory examination revealed no deficits; light touch and pinprick sensation were intact in all tested areas. Motor strength was 5/5 in all extremities, coordination was normal, and gait was steady.
Skin and Extremities
The skin was warm, dry, and intact without lesions, scars, or rashes. Capillary refill was less than 2 seconds. The extremities showed no edema, clubbing, or cyanosis.
Conclusion
The objective findings of this head-to-toe assessment were within normal limits, with no abnormalities detected across various systems. Documentation of these findings provides a comprehensive overview of the patient's current health status, serving as a benchmark for ongoing care or future assessments.
References
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