9.18 Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

  • Common symptoms to assess related to the respiratory system include dyspnea, coughing, wheezing, congestion, and chest pain.
  • The objective assessment of the thorax is best performed on the client in an upright position on the bare skin.
  • A trauma-informed approach to the objective assessment is necessary considering that areas of the chest are being exposed.
  • The objective assessment should begin with a brief scan combined with components of the primary survey (ABCCS) so that potential signs of clinical deterioration are recognized and acted upon.
  • Following the brief scan, the objective assessment includes inspection, auscultation, palpation, and percussion.
  • Health promotion interventions should be developed with the client to address what is important to them.

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Nursing Physical Assessment Copyright © 2024 by Barbara Gawron and Meenu James is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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