Master Head-To-Toe Nursing Assessment for Nurse Practitioners (NP)
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Advanced Physical Health Assessment | Nurse Practitioner (NP) School Study Aid
Head-To-Toe Assessments
30 Picmonics to Learn | 1 hr 29 mins
Cognitive Abilities Assessment
- Mental Status Examination (MSE)
- Collecting/Organizing Objective Information
- Cognitive assessment tests
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA)
- Mini-Cog
2 mins
Cerebellar Assessment
- Coordination
- 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
- Skull
- Inspect Size, Shape and Contour
- Inspect and Palpate Areas for Tenderness or Lesions
- Scalp
- Inspect for Tenderness, Lesions or Rashes
- Inspect for Dandruff
- Inspect for Lice or Nits
- Hair
- Inspect Quality and General Appearance of Hair
- Observe Hair Distribution
2 mins
Head, Face and Neck Assessment
- Head
- Inspect Size and Shape of Skull
- Palpate Temporal Artery
- Face
- Observe Facial Expression
- Inspect Facial Structures and Symmetry
- Neck
- Look for Symmetry
- Check Range of Motion
- Inspect Lymph Nodes and Thyroid Gland
- Confirm Trachea is Midline
2 mins
Eye Assessment
- Inspect External Structures
- Eye and Eyebrow Symmetry
- Eyeball Alignment
- Inspect Eyeball Structures
- 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
- Foundation of Visual Perceptual Hierarchy
- Oculomotor Control
- Visual Fields
- Visual Acuity
- Visual Perceptual Hierarchy
- Visual Attention
- Visual Scanning
- Pattern Recognition
- Visual Memory
- Visual Cognition
- Adaptation Through Vision
- Mnemonic
- A Child Makes Parents See Appropriately
3 mins
Nose Assessment
- External Nose
- Inspect for Deformity or Asymmetry
- Inspect for Inflammation and Skin Lesions
- Nasal Cavity
- Check for Nasal Obstruction
- Inspect Nasal Mucosa
- Note Discharge, Bleeding or Foreign Body
- Sinus Area
- Palpate the Sinus Areas
2 mins
Ear Assessment
- EXTERNAL EAR
- Inspect Position and Symmetry
- Inspect for Lesions, Drainage, Nodules or Redness
- Inspect Opening of Ear Canal
- OTOSCOPIC EXAMINATION
- Insert Speculum
- Position Scope
- View Structures
- Light Reflect
- HEARING ACUITY TESTS
- Whisper Test
- Weber’s Test
- Rinne Test
4 mins
Throat and Mouth Assessment
- MOUTH
- Inspect for Color, Asymmetry and Swelling
- Inspect Lips, Teeth, Gums and Oral Mucosa
- Assess Tongue
- THROAT
- Examine Pharynx with Tongue Depressor
2 mins
Skin Assessment
- Inspect the skin
- Observe for Abnormal Skin Pigmentation
- Inspect for Cyanosis
- Observe Skin for Pallor
- Observe for Jaundice
- Inspect for Erythema
- Palpate the Skin
- Check the Temperature
- Observe the Skin for Moisture
- Inspect for Diaphoresis or Dehydration
- Check skin for edema
- Imprint Thumb Firmly for 3 to 4 Seconds
- Look for lesions
- Note the Characteristics
- Palpate Lesion
4 mins
Nail Assessment
- Observe the Nails
- View Index Finger at its Profile
- Look at Consistency
- Observe Color
- Check Capillary Refill
2 mins
Gastrointestinal System Assessment
- Mouth
- Inspect Mouth, Jaw, Teeth, Gums and Oral Mucosa
- Inspect Tongue
- Palpate Areas for Tenderness/Lesions
- ABDOMEN
- Inspect Abdominal Quadrants
- Auscultate
- Percuss
- Palpate
- Light Palpation
- Deep Palpation
- Check for Rebound Tenderness and Ascites
- Rectum and Anus
- Inspect Perianal Area
- Palpate Rectum with Gloved Index Finger
6 mins
Abdomen Assessment
- Inspect the Abdomen
- 4 Quadrants
- Contour, Shape, Symmetry
- Umbilicus
- Auscultate
- Bowel Stethoscope
- Vascular Sounds
- Percussion
- Percuss 4 Quadrants
- Tympany or Dullness
- Palpate
- Light Palpation
- Deep Palpation
- Rebound Tenderness
5 mins
Reflexes Assessment
- Grading
- Hyperactive
- Hypoactive
- Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTRs)
- Biceps
- Triceps
- Brachioradialis
- Patellar (Quadriceps)
- Achilles Tendon
- Cutaneous (Superficial) Reflexes
- Plantar Reflex (Babinski Sign)
3 mins
ROM Assessment
- Types of ROM
- Active ROM (AROM)
- Active Assisted ROM (AAROM)
- Passive ROM (PROM)
- Upper Extremity
- Neck Flexion, Extension and Rotation
- Shoulder Flexion, Extension and Rotation
- Elbow Flexion and Extension
- Fingers and Wrist Flexion and Extension
- Lower Extremity
- 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
- HEART 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
- VASCULAR SYSTEM ASSESSMENT
- 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
- Health History
- Past Medical History
- Medications
- Urination Pattern
- Physical Examination
- Inspection
- Palpation
- Auscultation
- Percussion
- Assessment of Urine
- Intake and Output
- Characteristic of Urine
2 mins
Male Reproductive System Assessment
- Inspection
- Inspect the Penis and Urethral Meatus
- Inspect the Scrotum, Testicles and Pubic Hair
- Inspect the Inguinal and Femur
- Palpation
- 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
- HEALTH HISTORY
- Past Genitourinary and Gynecological History
- Current and Past Medication Use
- Urine Collection and Characteristics
- EXTERNAL GENITALIA EXAM
- Inspect External Genitalia
- Palpate External Genitalia
- INTERNAL GENITALIA EXAM
- 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
- Inspection
- 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
- Palpation
- Palpate for Crepitus, Tenderness, Alignment, Masses or Retraction
- Palpate for Tactile Fremitus
- Check Chest-Wall Symmetry and Expansion
- Note Resonance, Hyperresonance, Dullness and Tympany
- AUSCULTATION
- 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
- Inspection
- Assess Patient Appearance for Abnormalities
- Observe ROM of Upper and Lower Extremities
- Assess Motor Power
- Hand Grips
- Dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion
- Hip and Knee Flexion Against Resistance
- Manual Muscle Test (MMT) Grading System
2 mins
Female Urinary System Assessment
- Health History
- Past Medical History
- Urination Pattern
- Medications
- Urine Collection
- Assessment
- Inspect Areas Over Kidney and Bladder
- Percuss Kidneys
- Palpate Kidneys and Bladder
- Note Abnormal Findings
- Assessment of Urine
- 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
- Inspect
- Skin
- Shape
- Palpate
- Humeral Head
- Acromioclavicular Joint
- Rotator Cuff
- Clavicle
- Spine of Scapula
- Range of Motion
- Flexion
- Extension
- Abduction
- Adduction
- Internal Rotation
- External Rotation
3 mins
Low Back Assessment
- Low Back Assessment
- Inspection
- Functional Exam
- Movement
- Palpation
- Flexion and Extension
- Rotation
- Hyperextension
- Lateral Bend
- Special Tests
- Straight Leg Raise Test
4 mins
Knee Assessment
- Facts
- Inspection
- Palpation
- Check Range of Motion
- Assess Strength
- Neurovascular Assessment
- Special Tests
- Ballottement and Effusion
- Ligament Integrity
- Meniscal Integrity
4 mins
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