[2bNurseAmySilt]

Hi all!
I am in my second week (almost third) of nursing school and in about a week and a half I am going to be evaluated in the on campus lab on how to do a physical assessment (on a mannequin!). It will be me and three other group memebers. Does anybody have any tips on how to calm my nerves and to make an assessment simple? I am trying to remember to cover everything!! Also, my other group members won't include me in at all, like study dates, practice sessions in the lab, etc! I can't switch groups, and I am currently studying with another group but I don't feel like I am accomplishing much.

Also, I am going to have to demonstrate how to make an occupied and unoccupied bed and give a bed bath. Any tips and/or tricks would be AWESOME!! Thanks everybody, I hope you are all doing GREAT!!

[tookewlandy]

Originally Posted by NurseAmySilt

Hi all!
I am in my second week (almost third) of nursing school and in about a week and a half I am going to be evaluated in the on campus lab on how to do a physical assessment (on a mannequin!). It will be me and three other group memebers. Does anybody have any tips on how to calm my nerves and to make an assessment simple? I am trying to remember to cover everything!! Also, my other group members won't include me in at all, like study dates, practice sessions in the lab, etc! I can't switch groups, and I am currently studying with another group but I don't feel like I am accomplishing much.

Also, I am going to have to demonstrate how to make an occupied and unoccupied bed and give a bed bath. Any tips and/or tricks would be AWESOME!! Thanks everybody, I hope you are all doing GREAT!!

I used to think( and still do sometimes) how am i gonna remember everything to for a physical assessment. but if you really take it in a head to toe approach and think of it as parts instead of a whole( not the pt the actually skill of physical assessment) Break it into parts.. ok Head, what am i assessing in this area( Hair,sclera,conjunctiva,periorbital edema/sunken eyeballs, nasal mm and clear nasal passages, nose/ear drainage etc) you get the picture, then work your way down through each area and pay attention to what you should and should not see and think about the patient disease process,age,developmental level,anything pertinent to the patient situation. I say this because when i had skills check off for Physical Assessment we had a scenario for the pt(mannequin) and had to answer a million questions it was nerve racking but you get though it. Good luck

[MikeyJ]

I agree with the other poster -- you need to approach in a head-to-toe manner. Our physicall assessments were incredibly intense and the final assessment took each student 45 minutes and it was all from memorization. It wasn't that bad though because if you approach in a head-to-toe manner, it seems to be common sense what you need to ask.

Also, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, & PRACTICE some more. Practice on friends and family, and I guarantee you will do well on it.

[Heatherheartsou]

I went to a medical bookstore and got a card that has everything on it for a head-to-toe physical assessment. It helps to organize my thoughts when I am practicing. As for bed baths, making occupied and unoccupied beds... practice. I practiced at home with my boyfriend in bed. With occupied beds make sure the patient is comfortable and never exposed. Also make sure you do not "fluff" sheets or move them too much. That was a no-no for my instructor because it spreads nosocromial infections. Make sure you know how to position your patient on a draw-sheet. I really would just practice over and over again. And most importantly BE CONFIDENT. If you seem scared, you look like you have no idea what you are doing.

As for those students who do not include you in their study sessions, shame on them. Maybe they have not noticed. Maybe you should invite them somewhere for a study session. Good Luck!

[SA2BDOCTOR]

Lucky you on the mannequin..we have to practice on our lab partner for the assessment examination itself

You will be fine and I say that for the both of us. My exam is in a week and a half also

[SA2BDOCTOR]

Lucky you on the mannequin..we have to practice on our lab partner for the assessment examination itself

You will be fine and I say that for the both of us. My exam is in a week and a half also