Sign in
Physical Assessment Of A Child
Assessment is the systematic basis for making inferences about the learning and development of individuals. Physical assessment of both child and adult includes detailed examination using the four formats: inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. Privacy must be maintained to optimize the assessment. Also, questions are asked to obtain the medical and surgical history for both child and adult, but the difference is that information is obtained directly from the adult while the parents help in that of a child who cannot completely give detailed information’s. Objective and specific data of the child include the perinatal period, birth of the child, and developmental milestones that have been achieved. Immunization history is very important for both child and adult. (Angelina 2018)
During the assessment, the nurse will ask questions, give education on any abnormality found and empathize. Where the nurse found okay, she will give praises as this is a moral booster to both child, adult, and care givers. The nurse will also offer instructions according to the age of her patient and level of comprehension. She may need to use simple words instead of medical jargons. (Faustina 2017)
In communicating with the older adult, the nurse will have to tune up her voice for clarity but for children, the nurse will speak slowly, clearly and utilize simple vocabulary. Facial expressions, gestures and eye contact will help the nurse communicate with people with hearing impairments and even people who are deaf as they can lip read and understand. There may be the need to use interpreter. (Bena 2017)
The strategies the nurse will use to encourage engagement is by active listening, repeating words for clarification, making sure that the language spoken is understood by parties concerned. The patient may be hungry and thirsty, check the diet order. Offer nourishment if patient is on diet if not, offer explanations. This will make the patient relax, pay attention, and answer your questions. Choice toys are offered to babies to keep them calm. (Melissa 2017)
Response to the above posting using 200-300 APA format with references to support the discussion
Compare the physical assessment of a child to that of an adult. In addition to describing the similar/different aspects of the physical assessment, explain how the nurse would offer instruction during the assessment, how communication would be adapted to offer explanations, and what strategies the nurse would use to encourage engagement.
