Health Assessment (Peer post replies)

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REFLECTION 4

Reflection (Thorax and Lungs and Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular Systems)

Week # 8 Discussion 2: Reflection

One of the key challenges in completing this assignment is the need to recognize many systems and organs at the same time. The thorax, lungs, cardiovascular, and peripheral vascular systems are closely related both in structure and functionality. The comprehensive understanding of these systems and organs without dissociating them from each other is significantly complex especially for less experienced nurses like me. Thus, in responding to the assignments as well as posts by classmates, I may offer inaccurate information occasioned by my relative inexperience in the assessment of the structures of one of the most complex systems and regions of the human body.

Age differences tend to have a significant impact on the interpretation of findings from the assessment of these organs and systems. For instance, the normal respiratory rate (RR) and pulse rate will differ across the lifespan (Jarvis, 2019). For the less experienced nurses, there is the likelihood to use the normal findings of a healthy adult to interpret the findings on the pediatric case. Another challenge in pediatric populations is that they may not offer supplemental information during the inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation processes. Communication with the patient can provide the nurse with valuable hints. For instance, an adult will most likely report that the chest pains elevate with a certain sitting position. In pediatrics, the nurse will have to observe the facial expressions with every change of posture or sitting position to identify abnormalities (Lewis et al., 2016). The interpretation of sounds is usually a subjective task for the nurse. The best strategy to ensure accurate interpretation of sounds is via collaboration with experienced nurses. However, aspects such as the capillary refill patterns may not have significant variations in interpretation because of standard values. However, patient-specific factors such as skin texture may affect these findings. Factors such as the patient’s occupation may come in handy in the interpretation and description of variations (Ball et al., 2015).

References

Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2015). Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.

Jarvis, C. (2019). Physical Examination and Health Assessment E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Lewis, S. L., Bucher, L., Heitkemper, M. M., Harding, M. M., Kwong, J., & Roberts, D. (2016). Medical-Surgical Nursing-E-Book: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems, Single Volume. Elsevier Health Sciences.