What is a focused cardiovascular exam?

What is a focused cardiovascular exam?

Performing a visual assessment of the circulatory system is an important component of a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment. Areas for evaluation you may inspect include skin color, location of any lesions, bruises or rash, symmetry of motion, size of body parts, and any abnormal findings, sounds, and odors.

Where do you palpate in a cardiac exam?

The best location for feeling these impulses is in the apical area or near the lower left sternal border with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position. Palpate the parasternal area along the left sternal border to assess the right ventricular impulse.

What should you assess first when performing a cardiovascular assessment?

The apical pulse is an important assessment to obtain before the administration of many cardiac medications. The first heart sound (S1) identifies the onset of systole, when the atrioventricular (AV) valves (mitral and tricuspid) close and the ventricles contract and eject the blood out of the heart.

Which cardiac assessment findings are documented as normal?

Documentation of a basic, normal heart exam should look something along the lines of the following: The external chest is normal in appearance without lifts, heaves, or thrills. PMI is not visible and is palpated in the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line. Heart rate and rhythm are normal.

How do you perform a focused respiratory assessment?

A focused respiratory objective assessment includes interpretation of vital signs; inspection of the patient’s breathing pattern, skin color, and respiratory status; palpation to identify abnormalities; and auscultation of lung sounds using a stethoscope.

Which questions would the nurse include as part of a focused respiratory health assessment?

A focused respiratory system assessment includes collecting subjective data about the patient’s history of smoking, collecting the patient’s and patient’s family’s history of pulmonary disease, and asking the patient about any signs and symptoms of pulmonary disease, such as cough and shortness of breath.

Is apical impulse visible?

Examination and Palpation of the Apical Impulse (Point of Maximal Impulse) After examining the neck veins, the next step is to see if the apical impulse, also called the apex beat and point of maximal impulse (PMI) is visible in the vicinity of the fifth intercostal space. Not seeing it is usually a normal finding.