Homan sign: Subjective or Objective?

Published

Specializes in Med/Surg, Hospice.

For some reason I can't seem to figure this one out. Perhaps I'm overthinking here.

If the client has a positive reponse to Homan's wouldn't that be subjective because it is based on the client's perception of pain? Or is it objective because I observed the client reaction?

I just can't seem to arrive at a decision as to where to place this data.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

although this is a bit confusing, it is considered objective data, a sign. (the term "sign" helps classify this as objective.) you are performing an intervention on the client (dosiflexion of foot) and directly observing the client reaction (positive or negative report of calf pain). along with the homan's sign, you would also be eliciting other objective data in your assessment of the client's peripheral vascular status such as: appearance of skin and nail beds; capillary refill; symmetry of extremities; warmth of extremities; any edema, varicosities or tenderness; quality of carotid, brachial, radial, femoral, popliteal and pedal pulses.

"objective:perceptible to persons other than the affected individual. "

objective data is information collected by using the senses. information that can be seen (observation), felt (palpation), heard (auscultation) (percussion), or smelled. objective data can be called signs.

signs are objective and can be observed by the five senses. rashes or other visible skin changes, lumps or masses that can be felt, and heart and lung sounds that can be heard are all objective signs. x-rays, ekg readouts, and laboratory tests also provide objective information that can be used to understand a health condition.

"subjective: arising out of one's perception of one's own state."

subjective data is the information the patient or the caretaker tells the nurse during the nursing assessment. subjective data can be called symptoms. symptoms are subjective and are experienced and reported by the individual being questioned. aches, pains, spasms, weakness, fatigue and feelings of irritability or anxiety are all subjective.

symptom analysis: location, quality, quantity or severity, timing, setting, factors that make it better or worse, and association manifestations.

http://www.yourmenopausetype.com/seminar/demo/b01.html

http://www.yourmenopausetype.com/seminar/demo/c01.html

http://www.mtmercy.edu/nursour/nubook10.pdf

http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/nursing/ms/preceptor/n5006%20syllabus%202005.doc

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Hospice.

Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey everyone,

So I'm really confused with this Homan's sign for DVT/thrombophlebitis. Some books tell me to pick that as an answer choice if given. Other books totally restrict doing this assessment because new research has proven it to be ineffective. What does NCLEX want us to pick!!!? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

This is just one thing...there are so many inconsistencies with different books. Don't even get me started on the lab values :uhoh3:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That is exactly why it is advised to go with only one resource. You can drive yourself crazy trying to figure it out. Until new procedures or whatnot are published in texts, you have to go with the old stuff. Don't look for the NCLEX to have the latest info from last week. Especially since this new info has to be hashed around the profession before they decide which way to go and change it in the texts and the classrooms.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Absolutely not from what I learned in school. It can dislodge the clot which can cause it to travel and ultimately kill the pt.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That is what I learned. But I've gotten this question wrong several times from various review books for not utilizing the Homan's sign. Eh...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, Derm, OB.

It is what is taught at my school also. However, all my review books say utilize it. Go figure????

My question is: if the NCLEX is new and updated does that mean the content is?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As what our professor told us, we can utilize it but only ONCE.. Doing so for the second time will be a risk for clot dislodgement.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

assessment

  • edema
  • swelling
  • pain, redness
  • + homans sign

  • medication
  • heparin
  • oral anticoagulants
  • thrombolytics
  • implementation
  • recommend bed rest
  • elevate the extremity
  • do not massage the extremity
  • apply warm moist heat
  • analgesic for pain

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Absolutely not from what I learned in school. It can dislodge the clot which can cause it to travel and ultimately kill the pt.
Completely agree. In regards to what the HESI and NCLEX want, Homan's is contraindicated for patients with DVT for this reason. It is also contraindicated for patients on Heparin.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion