D222 Vital Signs Assessment and Notes for Nursing Practice

D222 Vital Signs Assessment and Notes for Nursing Practice

D222 Vital Signs Assessment and Notes for Nursing Practice

Name

Western Governors University

D222 Comprehensive Health Assessment

Prof. Name

Date

Introduction and Patient Identification

Introduce Yourself

What is your name?
At the beginning of the assessment, the patient clearly stated her full name, appropriately confirming her identity as part of standard patient verification procedures.

What is your date of birth?
The patient accurately reported her date of birth and demonstrated an understanding of her age and its relevance to her overall health status.

Where are you currently located?
The patient correctly identified her present location, indicating intact spatial awareness and orientation to place.

What is today’s date?
The patient correctly verbalized the current date, reflecting normal cognitive function and appropriate temporal orientation.

Do you have any medical conditions or are you currently taking any medications?
The patient denied having any diagnosed medical conditions and reported that she is not currently taking prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal medications.

Do you understand why you are here today?
The patient confirmed that she understood the purpose of the visit, stating that she was present for a routine physical examination and general health evaluation.

Observation
Throughout the interaction, the patient remained alert and fully oriented to person, place, time, and situation (A&O ×4), indicating normal mental status and cognitive functioning.


General Assessment of Appetite and Physical Appearance

Nutritional Intake

How has your appetite been recently?
The patient reported a stable appetite with no recent increases or decreases.

Do you feel you are eating well?
She stated that she consumes regular, balanced meals throughout the day and does not experience difficulty with eating or digestion.

Clinical Observation

The patient was observed sitting upright with relaxed posture and no apparent physical limitations. Facial expressions were appropriate and congruent with conversation. Speech was clear, fluent, and coherent, and no hearing impairment was noted. Personal hygiene and grooming were excellent, and clothing was clean and suitable for the clinical environment.


Vital Signs and Basic Measurements

Vital Signs Summary

MeasurementResult / Observation
Height and WeightTo be recorded
Radial Pulse (bpm)Counted over 30 seconds
Respiratory RateTo be recorded
Blood Pressure (Arm)To be recorded
Pain LevelAssessed and documented as indicated

Skin Assessment

Bilateral Skin Evaluation

ParameterObservation
Color / PigmentationEven tone; no discoloration
TemperatureWarm to touch
MoistureNormal hydration
TextureSmooth and intact
TurgorElastic with no tenting

Head and Facial Assessment

Palpation of the scalp, skull, and hair revealed no tenderness, lesions, or structural abnormalities. Cranial nerve function was assessed by instructing the patient to protrude her tongue. The tongue remained midline without deviation, indicating intact motor control and normal cranial nerve function.


Assessment of Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth, Throat, and Neck

StructureAssessment Findings
EyesClear sclera and cornea; normal eyelids; pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation (PERRLA); extraocular movements intact
EarsExternal ears intact; no discharge, pain, tinnitus, vertigo, or hearing loss reported
NoseSymmetrical nasal structure; patent nares; no discharge
Mouth and ThroatOral mucosa moist and pink; gums healthy; teeth intact; tongue midline; uvula centered and mobile
NeckTrachea midline; full range of motion; carotid pulses equal bilaterally; no lymphadenopathy or thyroid enlargement

Chest, Heart, and Upper Extremity Assessment

Posterior Chest and Lungs

The thorax was symmetrical with normal spinal alignment. Chest expansion was equal bilaterally. Tactile fremitus was assessed using the phrase “99” and revealed no abnormal vibrations, tenderness, or crepitus. Auscultation across six posterior lung fields demonstrated clear breath sounds bilaterally. No costovertebral angle tenderness was present.

Do you experience any shortness of breath?
The patient denied dyspnea, wheezing, or breathing difficulty.

Anterior Chest and Cardiac Examination

ParameterObservation
Apical PulsePalpable at the 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line
Heart RateCounted for 60 seconds; within normal limits
Heart SoundsClear S1 and S2; no murmurs, rubs, or extra sounds

Do you have any chest pain or discomfort?
The patient denied chest pain, pressure, or palpitations.

Upper Extremities

The patient demonstrated full range of motion with symmetrical muscle strength. Radial and brachial pulses were strong and equal bilaterally (+2 to +3). Capillary refill of the fingers was less than three seconds, indicating adequate peripheral perfusion.


Jugular Vein, Abdominal, and Lower Extremity Assessment

AreaFindings
Jugular VeinsNo distention; visible approximately 1 cm above sternal angle
AbdomenFlat and symmetrical; umbilicus midline
Bowel SoundsActive in all four quadrants
PercussionTympanic sounds throughout
PalpationAbdomen soft, non-tender, no guarding or masses

Lower Extremities

Both lower extremities were symmetrical with normal skin temperature and hair distribution. No edema, cyanosis, or discoloration was observed. Capillary refill of the toenails was less than three seconds. Peripheral pulses (femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis) were palpable, strong, and equal bilaterally. The patient exhibited full range of motion in the hips, knees, and ankles.


Neuromuscular and Coordination Assessment

TestFindings
Deep Tendon ReflexesNormal (+2) bilaterally
Sensory TestingAppropriate response to sharp and dull stimuli
Spine and CoordinationFull spinal range of motion; steady gait; able to perform heel-to-toe walking, tiptoe walking, and knee bends

Are you experiencing any pain or discomfort during these movements?
The patient denied pain, weakness, or balance issues during all neuromuscular assessments.


Health Promotion and Conclusion

Two primary health promotion strategies were discussed to support long-term wellness.

Caffeine Intake Reduction

The patient reported consuming approximately six to eight cups of coffee daily. Education was provided on the potential cardiovascular and hydration effects of excessive caffeine intake. A gradual reduction plan was recommended, along with increasing daily water intake to approximately 64–120 ounces to promote optimal hydration and physiologic balance.

Physical Activity Enhancement

The patient acknowledged a predominantly sedentary lifestyle. A gradual exercise plan was encouraged, beginning with walking 2,000–5,000 steps per day. Regular physical activity was emphasized to improve circulation, support digestion, enhance cardiovascular health, and reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as venous insufficiency and thrombosis.

All patient questions were addressed thoroughly. The patient verbalized understanding of the recommendations and expressed willingness to implement the suggested lifestyle changes. The assessment concluded with positive reinforcement of her active engagement in her health care.


References

Bickley, L. S. (2020). Bates’ guide to physical examination and history taking (13th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

Jarvis, C. (2019). Physical examination and health assessment (8th ed.). Elsevier.

Seidel, H. M., Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2011). Mosby’s guide to physical examination (7th ed.). Elsevier.

D222 Vital Signs Assessment and Notes for Nursing Practice.