D222 Vital Signs Assessment and Notes for Nursing Practice
Student Name Western Governors University D222 Comprehensive Health Assessment Prof. Name Date Introduce Yourself What is your name? The patient introduced herself by name, confirming her identity for the assessment process. What is your date of birth? The patient stated her date of birth accurately and appeared aware of her age and related health context. Where are you currently located? The patient confirmed her current location, demonstrating spatial orientation and situational awareness. What is today’s date? The patient correctly identified today’s date, showing intact cognitive and temporal orientation. Do you have any medical conditions or are you currently taking any medications? The patient reported no current medical conditions and denied taking any prescribed or over-the-counter medications at this time. Do you understand why you are here today? The patient verbalized understanding of the purpose of the visit, indicating she was present for a routine physical and health assessment. Observation:The patient was alert and oriented to person, place, time, and situation (A&O ×4), indicating normal cognitive functioning. General Assessment of Appetite and Appearance How has your appetite been recently? The patient reported maintaining a healthy appetite without recent changes. Do you feel you are eating well? The patient stated she is eating well and consuming balanced meals throughout the day. Clinical Observation:The patient was seated upright and displayed no signs of physical deformity or mobility limitation. Facial expressions matched the conversation context, reflecting appropriate affect and mood. Speech was articulate and coherent, with no evidence of hearing difficulty. Hygiene and grooming were excellent, and attire was clean and appropriate for the environment. Vital Signs and Basic Measurements Measurement Result/Observation Height and Weight To be recorded Radial Pulse (bpm) Measured over 30 seconds Respiratory Rate To be recorded Blood Pressure (arm) To be recorded Pain Level Assessed and documented as appropriate Skin Assessment (Bilateral) Parameter Observation Color/Pigmentation No discoloration observed Temperature Skin warm to touch Moisture Normal skin moisture noted Texture Smooth and even Turgor Normal; no tenting present Head and Face Examination Palpation of the scalp, hair, and skull revealed no abnormalities. The cranial nerve VII (facial nerve) function was tested by asking the patient to stick out her tongue; a normal midline response was observed, indicating intact neuromuscular control. Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth/Throat, and Neck Structure Assessment Details Eyes Cornea and sclera were clear; eyelids normal. Pupils were equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation (PERRLA). Extraocular movements intact, and visual fields full by confrontation. Ears External ears intact without lesions or discharge. The patient denied pain, tinnitus, vertigo, or hearing loss. Nose Nasal structure symmetrical with clear passages bilaterally. No discharge or obstruction. Mouth/Throat Lips, mucosa, and gums moist, pink, and free of lesions. Teeth intact without caries. Tongue midline; uvula central and mobile upon phonation. Neck Carotid pulses palpable and equal bilaterally. Trachea midline with full range of motion (ROM). No lymphadenopathy or thyroid enlargement. Chest/Thorax, Heart, and Upper Extremities Posterior Chest Thoracic symmetry and shape were normal. Chest expansion was equal bilaterally. Tactile fremitus, assessed using the phrase “99,” showed no abnormal vibrations, tenderness, or crepitus.Auscultation across six lung fields revealed clear breath sounds bilaterally. Costovertebral angle tenderness was absent. Question: Do you experience any shortness of breath?Response: The patient denied experiencing any dyspnea or breathing difficulty. Anterior Chest and Heart Examination Parameter Observation Apical Pulse Palpable at 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line; brisk and regular Heart Rate Measured for 60 seconds; within normal range Heart Sounds Auscultation of all five cardiac landmarks revealed no murmurs or extra heart sounds Question: Do you have any chest pain?Response: The patient denied experiencing chest pain or pressure. Upper Extremities Full range of motion was present with normal muscle strength. Capillary refill in fingers was less than three seconds. Radial and brachial pulses were palpable, strong, and symmetrical (+2 to +3). Jugular Vein, Abdomen, and Lower Extremities Area Assessment Findings Jugular Vein No distention; vein visible 1 cm above sternal angle Abdomen Flat, symmetrical; umbilicus midline; no visible pulsations Bowel Sounds Active in all quadrants Percussion Tympanic sounds; no tenderness or masses Palpation Soft abdomen; no pain or guarding Lower Extremities (Bilateral, Supine):Both legs were symmetrical, with normal skin temperature and hair distribution. No edema or cyanosis observed. Toenail capillary refill was under three seconds. Peripheral pulses (femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, dorsalis pedis) were strong and equal bilaterally. Full range of motion was noted in hips, knees, and ankles. Neuromuscular Examination Test Findings Deep Tendon Reflexes Normal reflexes (+2) observed bilaterally in biceps, triceps, brachioradialis, patellar, and Achilles tendons Sensory Testing Normal responses to dull and sharp stimuli with eyes closed Spine and Coordination Full spinal range of motion; able to perform heel-to-toe walk, tiptoe walk, and shallow knee bends without pain or imbalance Question: Are you experiencing any pain or discomfort during these movements?Response: The patient denied any pain or discomfort. Health Promotion and Conclusion Two primary health promotion strategies were discussed with the patient: The patient’s questions were addressed comprehensively. She expressed understanding and willingness to follow the health recommendations. The assessment concluded with appreciation for her active participation. References Bickley, L. S. (2020). Bates’ guide to physical examination and history taking (13th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. D222 Vital Signs Assessment and Notes for Nursing Practice Jarvis, C. (2019). Physical examination and health assessment (8th ed.). Elsevier. Seidel, H. M., Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2011). Mosby’s guide to physical examination (7th ed.). Elsevier.