Cardiac patient assessment: putting the patient first.
Nursing roles are expanding and there is a growing expectation that nurses, with appropriate education and experience, are able to perform assessments that were traditionally conducted by doctors. This article discusses patient history, vital signs and physical examination related to the cardiac patient. This will enable practitioners to enhance their knowledge and understanding of this valuable assessment influencing patient care.
Scott
Curie
C
Department of Adult Nursing Studies, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, Kent.
MacInnes
Julie D
JD
D001314:Auscultation; D001775:Blood Circulation; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000451:nursing; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006347:Heart Sounds; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D011674:Pulse; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology