needing advice

[Soon to be an RN]

hi all

i am in need of advice. being a third year nursing student finishing in a few months, i am required to do a two hour assessment followed by a one and a half question and answer sessions. during this time a facilitator follows you around for the two hours and you are not allowed to talk to her and vice versa. the problem is that im really unconfident with my practical skills. does any one have any advice?

regards and thanks in advance

soon to be an RN

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

do as many physical assessments as you can to prepare. read as many physician h&ps as you can to get an idea of what physicians end up noting in their final write ups. read as much about what your facilitator expects you to cover in this 2-hour assessment to be prepared--isn't there a list of objectives you are to achieve as well. then, think about this. . .the facilitator is only watching what you do. there is an entire sticky thread on the student forums with assessment resources that you should check out if you haven't already: https://allnurses.com/nursing-student-assistance/health-assessment-resources-145091.html - health assessment resources, techniques, and forms. for care planning i tell people that assessment consists of:

• a health history (review of systems)
  
• performing a physical exam
  
• assessing the patient's adls (at minimum: bathing, dressing, mobility, eating, toileting, and grooming)
  
• reviewing the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms and complications of their medical condition
  
• reviewing the signs, symptoms and side effects of the medications/treatments that have been ordered and that the patient is taking