Series Overview:

Physical assessments are a regular and fundamental part of pediatric care, yet examining children requires a broad knowledge base and is often challenging even to the experienced clinician. Physical Assessment of a Child, a two-part video series completely updated for 2008, is designed to address these real-world challenges and demonstrates the step-by-step process of performing gentle, safe, comprehensive pediatric evaluations. Using a systematic yet flexible 'head-to-toe' approach, these two videos detail the specific techniques, skills and strategies necessary to tailor an exam efficiently to children of all ages, physical and psychosocial development and unique medical needs. Each program provides 1 hour of continuing nursing education.

Objectives:

This program covers the assessment of external body functions, including physiologic measurements, vital signs, the skin, head, neck, eyes, ears, nose and mouth. Special attention is paid to incorporating the least invasive methods, reducing stress and discomfort, evaluating obesity and other parameters, interacting successfully with caregivers, gaining a child's cooperation using age-appropriate strategies and skills and making the examination fun for the child whenever possible.

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

• Explain the need for a complete health history using rapport and trust-building skills with patients and caregivers.
• Perform a safe external exam on children of varying ages using basic assessment techniques.
• Demonstrate age-appropriate methods to measure physical growth, including weight, height and head circumference.
• Demonstrate age-appropriate procedures to measure vital functions, including temperature, pulse and blood pressure.
• Describe evaluation of the head, neck, ears, eyes, nose, mouth and throat of children of varying ages.
• Test a child's vision, including binocularity, visual acuity, peripheral vision and color vision.
• Assess a child's skin, general appearance and basic behaviors.
• Describe the difference between normal and abnormal findings that warrent further investigation.
• Discuss key differences and variables in the external assessment of pediatric patients ranging in age from infants through adolescents.
• Describe safe, gentle care practices with the stated goal of gathering the most accurate data possible, using the least intrusive methods available.