[Caring4You]

Hello, I am a student nurse and I will be taking care of a patient with a halo attached to a body vest. I would like to know if I can still do an assessment of the heart and lungs with this appliance on? Can I slide my stethoscope underneath the appliance? How can I check for skin integrity underneath it?

Thank you.


Future Loving Nurse!

[suzanne4]

It is very easy to stick your stethscope under the Halo. And yes, the vest can be undone, but only with a staff member who is trained in doing so. It is not done on a daily basis though.

As a student, I would not worry about checking under the Halo, unless you just happen to be there on the day that the staff is doing their check. Usually once a week is the protocol at most facilities, also to change the tee-shirt underneath.