NEO 111
Melanie Jorgenson, RN, BSN
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Inspection: performing deliberate, purposeful
observations in a systematic manner
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Palpation: using the sense of touch
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Percussion: striking one object against
another to produce sound
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Auscultation: listening with a stethoscope to
sounds produced in the body
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Biographical data
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Reason for seeking care
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History of present health concern
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Past medical history
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Family history
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Lifestyle
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Sitting (to examine head,
back, lungs, breast, heart,
extremities)
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Supine (to examine head,
neck, lungs, breast,
abdomen, heart,
extremities)
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Sims (to examine rectum
and vagina)
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Knee-chest (to examine
rectum)
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Dorsal recumbent (to
examine head, neck,
lungs, breast, heart)
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Prone (to examine
posterior thorax, lungs,
hip)
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Lithotomy (to examine
female genitalia, rectum,
genital tract)
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Temperature
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Pulsations
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Turgor
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Vibrations
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Texture
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Shape and masses
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Moisture
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Organs
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Location
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Shape
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Size of organs
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Density of other underlying structures or
tissues
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Assessments
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Blood pressure
Heart sounds
Lung sounds
Bowel sounds
Characteristics of sounds
 Pitch
 Loudness
 Quality
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General survey
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Height and weight
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Vital signs
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The Head & Neck
 The Eyes & Ears
 The Nose & Sinuses
 The Mouth & Throat
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Chest and back
 The Posterior and Lateral Thorax
 The Anterior Thorax
 The Heart
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As important as assessing the client’s vital
signs.
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Routinely taken on admission to acute care
facilities and on visits to physicians’ offices,
clinics, and other health care settings.
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Facial structures
 Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat
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Anterior neck structures
 Trachea, esophagus, thyroid glad, arteries, veins,
and lymph nodes
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Posterior neck areas
 Upper portion of the spine
Focuses on:
 Cardiovascular status.
 Respiratory status.
 Wounds, scars, drains, tubes, dressings.
 Breasts.
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Bronchial (loud and high-pitched with a
hollow quality)
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Bronchovesicular (medium-pitched and
blowing)
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Vesicular (soft, breezy, and low-pitched)
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Adventitious breath sounds (abnormal)
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Sibilant wheezes (high-pitched, whistling)
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Sonorous wheezes (low-pitched snoring)
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Crackles (popping sounds heard on inhalation or exhalation
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Pleural friction rub (low-pitched grating sound heard on
inhalation or exhalation)
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Stridor (high-pitched, harsh sound heard on inspiration
while trachea or larynx is obstructed)
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Respiratory system
 Recognizing and identifying normal and abnormal
breath sounds
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Components of the thorax
 Lungs, rib cage, cartilage, and intercostal muscles
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Assessment techniques
 Inspection, palpation, percussion, and
auscultation
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Functions of the system
 Transports oxygen, nutrients, and other
substances to the body tissues
 Removes metabolic waste products to the kidneys
and lungs
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Assessment techniques
 Careful auscultation is important to identify heart
sounds
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Any symptoms patient is experiencing
Vital signs
Color and temperature of skin; capillary refill
of nails
Inspection findings related to carotid arteries,
jugular veins, and anterior chest wall
Palpation findings related to sternoclavicular
area and anterior chest wall
Auscultation findings, including rate, rhythm,
pitch, and location of sounds
NEO 111
Melanie Jorgenson, RN, BSN

Neurological
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Skin
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Musculoskeletal
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Upper and lower extremities
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Abdomen
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Neurologic system
 Assesses cognitive function
 Evaluates sensation in the body, cranial nerves,
and DTR
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Musculoskeletal examination
 Provides information on muscles and joints
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Peripheral vascular system
 Identifies condition of arteries and veins in the
extremities
Focuses on:
 Level of consciousness
 Pupil response
 Hand grasps
 Foot pushes
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Components of the integumentary system
 Skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, and sebaceous
glands
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Findings
 Nutrition and hydration
 Overall health status
 Information associated with certain systemic
diseases, infection, immobility, sun exposure, and
allergies
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Through observation of client gait and
overall range of movement, the nurse is able
to obtain some knowledge of the symmetry
and strength of muscles
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Focuses on gastrointestinal and
genitourinary status
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Includes use of inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation within the four
quadrants of the abdomen to establish
bowel function and status
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Components of the abdominal cavity
 Men and women: stomach, small and large
intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen,
kidneys, urinary bladder, adrenal gland, and major
blood vessels
 Women: uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries
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Assessment techniques
 Order: inspection, auscultation, percussion, and
palpation
 Not all organs can be assessed

The nurse must maintain accurate
documentation of the amount of drainage,
color, or other changes