Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular System Physical Assessment

Summary

This video provides a comprehensive guide to conducting a full cardiac and peripheral vascular assessment. It emphasizes the importance of patient identification, consent, and comfort throughout the process. The assessment covers inspection, palpation, and auscultation of key cardiac landmarks, alongside peripheral pulse evaluations and skin integrity checks. Specific techniques like the Allen test and JVP measurement are highlighted to ensure thorough evaluation. The video aims to equip healthcare professionals with the necessary skills to identify patient needs and prioritize care effectively, fostering a collaborative approach to health management.

Takeaways

• 😀 Always perform hand hygiene before entering a patient's room.
• 😀 Introduce yourself and verify the patient's identity using their full name and date of birth.
• 😀 Explain the procedure to the patient and obtain their consent before proceeding.
• 😀 Conduct physical assessments directly on the skin, avoiding clothing.
• 😀 Inspect the precordium for visible pulsations, masses, and skin color uniformity.
• 😀 Palpate the five cardiac landmarks: aortic area, pulmonic area, erb's point, tricuspid area, and mitral area.
• 😀 Use the mnemonic 'All People Enjoy Time Magazine' to remember the cardiac landmarks.
• 😀 Auscultate heart sounds using both the diaphragm and bell of the stethoscope to identify S1, S2, and any extra heart sounds.
• 😀 Assess peripheral vascular system, including skin color, capillary refill, and pulses in both arms and legs.
• 😀 Perform the Allen test to check for good circulation in the ulnar artery.

Q & A

What is the first step in conducting a full cardiac and peripheral vascular system assessment?

The first step is to perform hand hygiene before entering the patient's room.

Why is it important to verify the patient's identity in a hospital setting?

Verifying the patient's identity ensures that the information gathered is accurate and corresponds to the correct individual, which is crucial for their safety and care.

What should you explain to the patient before beginning the assessment?

You should explain what you will be doing during the assessment, including touching around the chest area, arms, and legs, and using a stethoscope to listen to heart sounds.

What are the five cardiac landmarks that need to be palpated?

The five cardiac landmarks are the aortic area, pulmonic area, Herb's point, tricuspid area, and mitral area.

How can you differentiate between a heave and an apical impulse?

A heave is a bounding sensation felt against the fingertips, indicating potential heart enlargement, while an apical impulse is a gentle tap that may be felt at the mitral area, typically smaller in diameter.

What does the Allen test assess?

The Allen test assesses the circulation of the ulnar artery to ensure it has good blood flow to the hand.

How is jugular venous pressure (JVP) estimated during the assessment?

To estimate JVP, place one ruler at the angle of Louis, have the patient turn their head to the left, and then look for the highest point of oscillation in the internal jugular vein, using a second ruler to measure the height.

What is the normal range for jugular venous pressure?

The normal range for jugular venous pressure is between 0 to 3 centimeters.

What should you do after completing the health history and physical assessment?

After completing the assessment, you should identify nursing care priorities, provide relevant teaching and interventions, and ensure collaborative understanding with the patient about the next steps.

Why is it important to wash your hands after assessing the patient?

Washing your hands after patient contact helps prevent the spread of infection and maintains a safe healthcare environment.