Master Head-To-Toe Nursing Assessment for Nurse Practitioners (NP)

Picmonic makes mastering the head-to-toe assessment for NPs engaging and effective. Our captivating characters, audio stories, and built-in quizzes help you develop a systematic approach with a powerful mnemonic. Elevate patient care with Picmonic by your side!

get premium

Advanced Physical Health Assessment | Nurse Practitioner (NP) School Study Aid

Cognitive Abilities Assessment

Collecting/Organizing Objective Information

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA)

Mini-Cog

2 mins

Cerebellar Assessment

Observe Rapid Alternating Movements (RAM)

Touch Thumb to Each Finger

Finger-Nose-Finger Test

Heel-to-Shin Test

Observe Gait

2 mins

Skull, Scalp and Hair Assessment

Inspect Size, Shape and Contour

Inspect and Palpate Areas for Tenderness or Lesions

Inspect for Tenderness, Lesions or Rashes

Inspect for Dandruff

Inspect for Lice or Nits

Inspect Quality and General Appearance of Hair

Observe Hair Distribution

2 mins

Head, Face and Neck Assessment

Inspect Size and Shape of Skull

Palpate Temporal Artery

Observe Facial Expression

Inspect Facial Structures and Symmetry

Look for Symmetry

Check Range of Motion

Inspect Lymph Nodes and Thyroid Gland

Confirm Trachea is Midline

2 mins

Eye Assessment

Eye and Eyebrow Symmetry

Eyeball Alignment

Examine Cornea and Lens for Cloudiness

Iris and Pupil Shape and Size

Pupillary Light Reflex and Accommodation

P.E.R.R.L.A

2 mins

Visual Perceptual Hierarchy

Oculomotor Control

Visual Fields

Visual Acuity

Visual Attention

Visual Scanning

Pattern Recognition

Visual Memory

Visual Cognition

Adaptation Through Vision

A Child Makes Parents See Appropriately

3 mins

Nose Assessment

Inspect for Deformity or Asymmetry

Inspect for Inflammation and Skin Lesions

Check for Nasal Obstruction

Inspect Nasal Mucosa

Note Discharge, Bleeding or Foreign Body

Palpate the Sinus Areas

2 mins

Ear Assessment

Inspect Position and Symmetry

Inspect for Lesions, Drainage, Nodules or Redness

Inspect Opening of Ear Canal

Insert Speculum

Position Scope

View Structures

Light Reflect

Whisper Test

Weber’s Test

Rinne Test

4 mins

Throat and Mouth Assessment

Inspect for Color, Asymmetry and Swelling

Inspect Lips, Teeth, Gums and Oral Mucosa

Assess Tongue

Examine Pharynx with Tongue Depressor

2 mins

Skin Assessment

Observe for Abnormal Skin Pigmentation

Inspect for Cyanosis

Observe Skin for Pallor

Observe for Jaundice

Inspect for Erythema

Check the Temperature

Inspect for Diaphoresis or Dehydration

Imprint Thumb Firmly for 3 to 4 Seconds

Note the Characteristics

Palpate Lesion

4 mins

Nail Assessment

View Index Finger at its Profile

Look at Consistency

Observe Color

Check Capillary Refill

2 mins

Gastrointestinal System Assessment

Inspect Mouth, Jaw, Teeth, Gums and Oral Mucosa

Inspect Tongue

Palpate Areas for Tenderness/Lesions

Inspect Abdominal Quadrants

Auscultate

Percuss

Palpate

Light Palpation

Deep Palpation

Check for Rebound Tenderness and Ascites

Inspect Perianal Area

Palpate Rectum with Gloved Index Finger

6 mins

Abdomen Assessment

4 Quadrants

Contour, Shape, Symmetry

Umbilicus

Bowel Stethoscope

Vascular Sounds

Percuss 4 Quadrants

Tympany or Dullness

Light Palpation

Deep Palpation

Rebound Tenderness

5 mins

Reflexes Assessment

Hyperactive

Hypoactive

Biceps

Triceps

Brachioradialis

Patellar (Quadriceps)

Achilles Tendon

Plantar Reflex (Babinski Sign)

3 mins

ROM Assessment

Active ROM (AROM)

Active Assisted ROM (AAROM)

Passive ROM (PROM)

Neck Flexion, Extension and Rotation

Shoulder Flexion, Extension and Rotation

Elbow Flexion and Extension

Fingers and Wrist Flexion and Extension

Hip and Knee Flexion

Hip Abduction and Rotation

Ankle Rotation

Toe Flexion and Extension

Lumbar Rotation and Spine Inspection

4 mins

Cardiac and Circulation Assessment

Inspect General Appearance

Inspect Chest

Note Location of Apical Impulse

Percuss Chest Wall

Auscultate Heart Sounds: S1, S2, S3, S4

Auscultate for Pericardial Friction Rub and Murmurs

Assess Skin, Fingernails and Toenails

Check Carotid Artery and Jugular Vein

Palpate Skin for Temperature, Texture, Turgor

Check Capillary Refill Time

Palpate Arterial Pulses Bilaterally

5 mins

Male Urinary System Assessment

Past Medical History

Medications

Urination Pattern

Inspection

Palpation

Auscultation

Percussion

Intake and Output

Characteristic of Urine

2 mins

Male Reproductive System Assessment

Inspect the Penis and Urethral Meatus

Inspect the Scrotum, Testicles and Pubic Hair

Inspect the Inguinal and Femur

Palpate the Entire Penile Shaft

Palpate Both Testicles

Palpate Epididymides and Both Spermatic Cords

Palpate for Direct or Indirect Inguinal Hernia and Femoral Hernia

Palpate Prostate Gland

3 mins

Female Reproductive System Assessment

Past Genitourinary and Gynecological History

Current and Past Medication Use

Urine Collection and Characteristics

Inspect External Genitalia

Palpate External Genitalia

Inspect Internal Genitalia Using Lubricated Speculum

Examine Vaginal Wall for Color, Texture, and Integrity

Examine Cervix for Color, Position, Size, Shape, Mucosal Integrity and Discharge

Palpate Internal Genitalia

Note Abnormal Findings

4 mins

Airway and Lungs Assessment

Examine Back of Chest

Determine Respiratory Rate for 1 Minute

Assess for Abnormalities with Uneven Movement or Use of Accessory Muscles

Inspect Skin, Nails and Mucous Membrane

Palpate for Crepitus, Tenderness, Alignment, Masses or Retraction

Palpate for Tactile Fremitus

Check Chest-Wall Symmetry and Expansion

Note Resonance, Hyperresonance, Dullness and Tympany

Use Diaphragm of Stethoscope to Listen to Full Inspiration and Full Expiration

Ask Patient to Breathe Through Mouth

Normal Breath Sounds

Abnormal Breath Sounds

5 mins

Strength Assessment

Assess Patient Appearance for Abnormalities

Observe ROM of Upper and Lower Extremities

Hand Grips

Dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion

Hip and Knee Flexion Against Resistance

Manual Muscle Test (MMT) Grading System

2 mins

Female Urinary System Assessment

Past Medical History

Urination Pattern

Medications

Urine Collection

Inspect Areas Over Kidney and Bladder

Percuss Kidneys

Palpate Kidneys and Bladder

Note Abnormal Findings

Intake and Output

Characteristic of Urine

2 mins

Cranial Nerves I and II Assessments

Cranial Nerve I - Olfactory Nerve

Use Familiar Attainable Smells

Note Any Sense of Smell Asymmetry

Cranial Nerve II - Optic Nerve

Test Visual Fields

2 mins

Cranial Nerves III, IV and VI Assessments

Cranial Nerve III - Oculomotor Nerve

Cranial Nerve IV - Trochlear Nerve

Cranial Nerve VI - Abducens Nerve

Assess Extraocular Movements, P.E.R.R.L.A

Note Any Nystagmus

2 mins

Cranial Nerves V and VII Assessments

Cranial Nerve V - Trigeminal Nerve

Assess Temporal and Masseter Muscles

Assess Light Touch Sensation

Cranial Nerve VII - Facial Nerve

Note Mobility and Facial Symmetry

2 mins

Cranial Nerves VIII, IX and X Assessments

Cranial Nerve VIII - Acoustic (Vestibulocochlear) Nerve

Test Hearing to Normal Conversation

Whisper Test

Cranial Nerve IX - Glossopharyngeal Nerve

Cranial Nerve X - Vegus Nerve

Depress the Tongue and Say “Ahh”

Touch the Posterior Pharyngeal

2 mins

Cranial Nerves XI and XII Assessments

Cranial Nerves XI - Spinal Accessory Nerve

Examine Sternocleidomastoid Muscles

Examine Trapezius Muscles

Cranial Nerve XII - Hypoglossal Nerve

Inspect the Tongue

Note Lingual Speech

2 mins

Shoulder Exam

Skin

Shape

Humeral Head

Acromioclavicular Joint

Rotator Cuff

Clavicle

Spine of Scapula

Flexion

Extension

Abduction

Adduction

Internal Rotation

External Rotation

3 mins

Low Back Assessment

Inspection

Movement

Palpation

Flexion and Extension

Rotation

Hyperextension

Lateral Bend

Straight Leg Raise Test

4 mins

Knee Assessment

Inspection

Palpation

Check Range of Motion

Assess Strength

Neurovascular Assessment

Ballottement and Effusion

Ligament Integrity

Meniscal Integrity

4 mins

Ace Your Nurse Practitioner (NP) Classes & Exams with Picmonic:

Over 2,060,000 students use Picmonic’s picture mnemonics to improve knowledge, retention, and exam performance.

Choose the #1 Nurse Practitioner (NP) student study app.

Picmonic for Nurse Practitioner (NP) covers information that is relevant to your entire Nurse Practitioner (NP) education. Whether you’re studying for your classes or getting ready to conquer your licensing exams, we’re here to help.

Works better than traditional Nurse Practitioner (NP) flashcards.

Research shows that students who use Picmonic see a 331% improvement in memory retention and a 50% improvement in test scores.

Why Nurse Practitioner Students Love Picmonic

See more reviews