Page 276 - CHHA Binder 2.3.20

4/11/2019

Assessment

1. Patient’s General Appearance

 Affect/behavior/anxiety

 Level of hygiene

 Body position

 Patient mobility

 Speech pattern and articulation

Best Practice indicates the following steps: Observation/Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation
and Percussion
The only exception to the above is with abdomen: Observation, Auscultation, Palpation and
Percussion
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Patient’s General Appearance Cont

Alterations may reflect
 Neurologic impairment
 Oral injury or impairment
 Improperly fitting dentures
 Differences in dialect or language

 Potential mental illness.

 Unusual findings should be followed up with a focused
neurological system assessment
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