Care study: a cardiovascular physical assessment
Patient assessment has always been an integral part of the nursing process. However, the physical aspects of a nursing assessment has been traditionally limited to the recording and interpretation of vital signs, whilst systematic physical assessments has been part of the doctor's role (West, 2006). As nurses are now expanding their roles into areas of advanced practice and prescribing, they need to be able to provide effective holistic care and respond to changes in their patient’ status. This care study will describe a framework for conducting a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment which will include history taking and a particular focus of the physical assessment skills of inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation.