🍂
FALL INTO SAVINGS SAVE UP TO 25%
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
/
Courses
/
Advanced Physical Health Assessment
/
Head-To-Toe Assessments

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

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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
4 mins
Nail Assessment
Observe the Nails
View Index Finger at its Profile
Look at Consistency
Observe Color
Check Capillary Refill
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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)
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
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
picmonic thumbnail
4 mins
Knee Assessment
Facts
Inspection
Palpation
Check Range of Motion
Assess Strength
Neurovascular Assessment
Special Tests
Ballottement and Effusion
Ligament Integrity
Meniscal Integrity
picmonic thumbnail
4 mins

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

Over 1,960,000 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.

It's worth every penny