title: Physical assessment techniques performed by Italian registered nurses: a quantitative survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the study were to describe which of the core techniques of the physical assessment are regularly performed by a sample of Italian nurses, and to investigate the potential predictors of a more complete examination.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Physical examination is among the essential tasks of nursing professionals, who are requested to perform a correct and complete physical assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was performed between August 2013 and January 2014 in 17 Italian regions. A total of 1182 questionnaires were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most participants were females (age range 41-50 years), and worked in Internal Medicine, Intensive Care and Surgical hospital units. Of the 30 core techniques that are currently taught and performed according to the Italian Baccalaureate degree requirements, 20 were routinely performed, 6 were seldom used and 4 were learnt but almost never performed (auscultation of lung, heart and bowel sounds and spine inspection). Graduate and postgraduate nurses, working in Intensive Care Units and Nursing Homes, were more prone than the others to carry out a more complete physical assessment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The skills to perform a physical assessment are suboptimal among this sample of Italian nurses. Health and educational providers should pose more attention and efforts to provide nurses with an acceptable training in physical examination practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study describes the specific physical techniques performed by nurses in real practice and provides information on which skills require more attention in nursing educational programmes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy.|ASL 02 Abruzzo, Chieti Scalo, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cicolini
authors.affiliation: Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria S. Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomietto
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Simonetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy.
authors.forename: Dania
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Comparcini
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Flacco
authors.affiliation: Azienda USL Romagna, Presidio Ospedaliero di Ravenna, Ravenna, Italy.
authors.forename: Maicol
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carvello
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti Scalo, Italy.
authors.forename: Lamberto
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manzoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004506:Education, Nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009726:Nurses; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000451:nursing*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: clinical competence; clinical judgment; nursing assessment; physical assessment skills; physical examination