Learning Objectives
- Communicate effectively with your patient while taking a health history.
- Identify what steps –from obtaining biographic date to reviewing body systems –make up a complete health history.
- Use appropriate systematic questions in obtaining a health history.
- Identify basic equipment needs for performing a physical assessment.
- Explain how to perform a general, observational survey as the first part of the physical assessment.
- Prepare the patient for the examination
- Identify techniques for Inspection, Palpation, Percussion and Auscultation.
- Recite appropriate questions about nutrition to ask the patient during the health history.
- Explain how to take anthropometrics measurements.
- Identify what laboratory tests help diagnose nutritional problems.
- Identify and differentiate some nutritional disorders.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the skin, hair, and nails.
- Recite appropriate questions about the skin, hair and nails to ask the patient during the health history.
- Differentiate changes in the skin, hair and nails that are normal outcomes of aging from changes that signal a potential health problem.
- Explain how to perform inspection and palpation to assess skin, hair, and nails.
- Identify some common disorders of the skin, hair, and nails.
- Identify the basic structures that make up the eye and their functions.
- Recite appropriate questions to obtain health history information about the eyes.
- Explain how to perform a physical assessment of the eyes.
- Identify and differentiate some normal and abnormal variations in the eyes.
- Identify the basic structures that make up the ear, nose, and throat and their functions.
- Recite appropriate questions to obtain an ear, nose, and throat health history from the patient.
- Explain how to perform an assessment of the ear, nose, and throat.
- Identify some abnormal findings of the ear, nose, and throat.
- Identify the basic normal anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system.
- Recite appropriate questions to obtain health history information about the respiratory system.
- State how to assess the respiratory system using the four components of a physical examination: inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation.
- Identify some related structures that may also provide information about respiratory status.
- Identify some abnormal findings for the respiratory system.
- Identify the basic structures that make up the cardiovascular system and how they function.
- Recite appropriate questions to obtain health history information about the cardiovascular system.
- Explain how to perform an assessment of the cardiovascular system.
- Explain how to identify and differentiate between normal and abnormal findings.
- Identify the basic structures that make up the breasts.
- Recite appropriate questions to obtain health history information about the breasts.
- Explain how the breasts change with age, pregnancy and other conditions.
- Explain how to perform a physical assessment of the breasts and axillae.
- Describe some common abnormal findings of the breast and axillae.
- Identify the basic organs and structures that make up the GI system.
- Recite appropriate questions to obtain health history information about the GI system.
- Explain how to perform a physical assessment of the GI system.
- Describe some abnormal findings in the GI system and how to recognize them.
- Identify the basic organs and structures that make up the female genitourinary system.
- Recite appropriate questions to obtain health history information about the female GU system.
- Explain how to perform a physical assessment of the female GU system.
- Describe some female GU system abnormalities and how to recognize them.
- Identify the basic organs and structures that make up the male GU system.
- Recite appropriate questions to obtain health history information about the male GU system.
- Explain how to perform a physical assessment of the male GU system.
- Describe some male GU system abnormalities and how to recognize them.
- Identify the basic structures of the musculoskeletal system.
- Recite appropriate questions to obtain health history information about the musculoskeletal system.
- Explain how to use inspection and palpation to assess the musculoskeletal system.
- Identify the five “P’s” for swiftly assessing a musculoskeletal injury.
- Identify some abnormal findings and explain their significance.
- Identify the basic organs and structures that make up the neurologic system.
- Recite appropriate questions to obtain health history and acquire information about neurologic function.
- Explain how to conduct a physical assessment of the neurologic system.
- Explain how to recognize some neurologic abnormalities.
Course Contents
- Health history
- Fundamental physical assessment techniques
- Assessing body systems
- Skin, hair, and nails
- Eyes, nose, and throat
- Breast and axillae
- Gastrointestinal system
- Female genitourinary system
- Male genitourinary system
- Musculoskeletal system
- Neurologic system
Customer Comments
“I am teaching radiation therapy students physical assessment and this course provided some excellent tips.” – S.K., Valley View, OH
“I have always enjoyed the courses from Homestead Schools. They meet the criteria.” – M.N., Sun Lakes, AZ
“Enjoyable and good reference book.” – R. M., Fort Bragg, CA
“Good course, very informative.” – M.T., El Cajon, CA
“Enjoyed the course, very complete.” – R.W., Carmichael, CA
“Hands-on still helpful to reinforce.” – D.S., Reno, NV
“Thank you for making it easy to follow. I enjoyed studying at home at my own time! Thanks!” – M.V., LVN, CA