The head-to-toe assessment is one of the basic skills all nurses need to develop. No matter what specialty you go into, assessment is one of the first objectives of any patient interaction. Here is an excellent video that shows a step by step head-to-toe assessment. It is very important to understand exactly what is required and that you develop a systematic way of doing the assessment and that you do it the same way each time.
Every school/institution might have a different way of doing this. However, a general head to toe assessment should include all of the following and may include a more detailed exam. Rectal/pelvic exams are often deferred to the provider. Pediatric patient assessment includes a more detailed developmental exam and is not addressed in this video.
An across the room assessment. As you enter the room, look at the patient:
Do they turn their head towards you, acknowledge you verbally?
Skin color? Are their lips blue-tinged, are they conversing in full sentences? Sitting upright or lying supine in bed?
If they were sleeping, how many pillows are in use? Do they have the head of the bed raised?
What is their work of breathing? Do they breathe rapidly? Gasping? Snoring respirations? Even?
Obtain the patient's vital signs:
Generally described as the measurement of temperature, pulse, respirations and blood pressure. This gives an immediate picture of a person's current state of health.
Examination of skin - color and uniformity of color, moisture, hair pattern, rashes, lesions, pallor, edema, temperature, turgor, lesions, edema, texture
Head - look for scars, lumps, rashes, hair loss, or other lesions. Look for facial asymmetry, involuntary movements, or edema. Identify any areas of tenderness or deformity.
Neck - inspect the neck for asymmetry, scars, or other lesions. Palpate the neck to detect areas of tenderness, deformity, or masses.
Chest/Lungs - Observe the rate, rhythm, depth, and effort of breathing. Note whether the expiratory phase is prolonged. Listen for obvious abnormal sounds with breathing such as wheezes. Observe for retractions and use of accessory muscles (sternomastoids, abdominals). Observe the chest for asymmetry, deformity, and confirm that the trachea is near the midline
Cardiovascular and Peripheral vasculature - Check the radial pulses on both sides. If the radial pulse is absent or weak, check the brachial pulses. Check the posterior tibia and dorsalis pedis pulses on both sides.
Heart sounds
S1: normal: closure AV, start systole, heard all over, loudest apex
S2: normal: closure of semilunar valves, end systole, all over but loudest base, "dub"
S3: extra heart sounds: vibrations that come from filling ventricles, start diastolic usually; audible in children, young adults, pregnant women - otherwise may be indicative of disease S4: extra heart sounds: end of diastolic, vibrations; usually abnormal to hear - may be indicative of disease
Murmurs
1. Grade I-ii functional systolic murmurs are common in young children and resolve with age2. Auscultate for blowing, swishing sound.
3. Some are 'innocent" murmurs, but most are indicative of disease.
4. Murmurs are graded. A grade "2" murmur would be rated ii/vi.
Abdomen
Look for scars, striae, hernias, vascular changes, lesions, or rashes. Look for movement associated with peristalsis or pulsations. Note the abdominal contour. Is it flat, scaphoid, or protuberant? Place the diaphragm of your stethoscope lightly on the abdomen. Listen for bowel sounds. Are they normal, increased, decreased, orabsent? Borborygmus = "growling". Listen for bruits over the renal arteries, iliac arteries, and aorta.
Neuro
Assess level of consciousness; facial expression and body language; speech; cognition and functioning.
Musculoskeletal
Observe for gait disturbances, asymmetry, ability to ambulate, with or without assistance of another person, cane, wheelchair.
Reference:
Wright University
NightNerd, MSN, RN
1,130 Posts
It takes a lot of repetition. You will get it down with practice. Definitely organise by sections, and maybe try grouping a couple things at a time when just practicing at home or whatever. For example, I always used to miss stuff doing neuro checks, so I practiced doing a few of those on my own, without the rest of the body systems, and now I can seamlessly add it into the rest of my assessment. Also, getting familiar with the documentation system you'll be using can be a trigger for remembering most, if not all, of what to look for. While your assessment isn't totally driven by what you need to document, it can definitely help you recall a few things while you're at the bedside.