Determining the use of physical assessment skills in the clinical setting.
This study examined the clinical application of physical assessment skills by baccalaureate nurses. Fifty-nine pediatric staff nurses practicing in two different hospitals in Southern California completed a questionnaire which surveyed how frequently assessment skills were utilized and what deterrents, if any, inhibit their use. Approximately one-third of the 36 skills listed were utilized daily by at least 74% of the participants, and respondents selected a variety of deterrents to the utilization of other skills. There was no significant difference in the utilization of skills between nurses who had taken a separate course in physical assessment and those from an integrated curriculum.
D002140:California; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D006745:Hospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 499; D006743:Hospital Bed Capacity, under 100; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D009736:Nursing Process / Q000379:methods*; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010808:Physical Examination; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires