A head-to-toe assessment is a comprehensive physical examination that nurses perform to gather information about a patient’s overall health status. It is a systematic examination of all major body systems, from head to toe. The purpose of a head-to-toe assessment is to identify any potential health problems or concerns, and to establish a baseline for future comparisons.
When is a head-to-toe assessment performed?
A head-to-toe assessment is typically performed when a patient is admitted to the hospital, at the beginning of each shift, and before performing any invasive procedures. It may also be performed more frequently for patients who are critically ill or who have complex health conditions.
What equipment is needed for a head-to-toe assessment?
The only equipment needed for a head-to-toe assessment is a stethoscope, penlight, and reflex hammer. However, other equipment may be necessary if the nurse is assessing a specific body system or condition. For example, the nurse may need to use a blood pressure cuff to assess the patient’s blood pressure, or a glucometer to assess the patient’s blood sugar level.
How to conduct a head-to-toe assessment
A head-to-toe assessment is typically performed in the following order:
- HEENT (head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat): The nurse inspects the patient’s head for shape, size, and symmetry. They also palpate for tenderness, masses, or lumps. The nurse then inspects the patient’s eyes, ears, nose, and throat for any abnormalities.
- Neck: The nurse inspects the patient’s neck for symmetry, masses, and enlarged lymph nodes. They also palpate the trachea for position and tenderness.
- Chest: The nurse inspects the patient’s chest for symmetry and respiratory rate. They also palpate for tenderness, masses, or crepitus. The nurse then auscultates the lungs for breath sounds, crackles, wheezes, or rhonchi.
- Heart: The nurse inspects the precordium for pulsations. They also palpate for the apical impulse. The nurse then auscultates the heart for normal heart sounds, murmurs, or gallops.
- Abdomen: The nurse inspects the abdomen for symmetry, distention, and peristalsis. They also palpate for tenderness, masses, or hepatosplenomegaly. The nurse then auscultates the abdomen for bowel sounds.
- Musculoskeletal: The nurse inspects the joints for symmetry, swelling, and redness. They also palpate the joints for tenderness, warmth, or crepitus. The nurse then assesses the range of motion of all major joints.
- Neurological: The nurse assesses the patient’s mental status, including orientation, memory, and judgment. They also assess the patient’s cranial nerves, including facial sensation, motor function, and reflexes.
Common abnormal findings on a head-to-toe assessment
Some of the most common abnormal findings on a head-to-toe assessment include:
- HEENT: Head injuries, masses, or lumps; eye infections, redness, or discharge; ear infections, redness, or discharge; nosebleeds; sore throats; swollen gums or teeth; white patches on the tongue
- Neck: Masses, enlarged lymph nodes, or tenderness
- Chest: Respiratory distress, wheezing, crackles, or murmurs
- Heart: Murmurs, arrhythmias, or heart failure
- Abdomen: Abdominal pain, tenderness, distention, or masses
- Musculoskeletal: Joint pain, swelling, or redness; limited range of motion
- Neurological: Altered mental status, weakness, numbness, or tingling
Recommendations for further assessment or treatment
If the nurse identifies any abnormal findings during a head-to-toe assessment, they will recommend further assessment or treatment as needed. For example, if the nurse identifies a heart murmur, they may recommend an echocardiogram to further assess the heart. Or, if the nurse identifies a mass in the abdomen, they may recommend a CT scan or ultrasound to identify the cause of the mass.
Conclusion
A head-to-toe assessment is an essential part of nursing practice. It allows nurses to identify potential health problems and concerns early on, and to establish a baseline for future comparisons. By performing thorough and systematic head-to-toe assessments,
