NURS 6512 Week 7 Discussion Assessment of the Heart, Lungs, and Peripheral Vascular System
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the largest cause of death worldwide. Accounting for 610,000 deaths annually (CDC, 2017), CVD frequently goes unnoticed until it is too late.Early detection and prevention measures can save the lives of many patients who have CVD. Conducting an assessment of the heart, lungs, and peripheral vascular system is one of the first steps that can be taken to detect CVD and many more conditions that may occur in the thorax or chest area.
This week, you will evaluate abnormal findings in the area of the chest and lungs. In addition, you will appraise health assessment techniques and diagnoses for the heart, lungs, and peripheral vascular system.
Learning Objectives:
Students will:
- Evaluate abnormal cardiac and respiratory findings
- Apply concepts, theories, and principles relating to health assessment techniques and diagnoses for the heart, lungs, and peripheral vascular system
Learning Resources
- Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2019). Seidel’s guide to physical examination: An interprofessional approach (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
- Chapter 14, “Chest and Lungs”: This chapter explains the physical exam process for the chest and lungs. The authors also include descriptions of common abnormalities in the chest and lungs.
- Chapter 15, “Heart”: The authors of this chapter explain the structure and function of the heart. The text also describes the steps used to conduct an exam of the heart.
- Chapter 16, “Blood Vessels”: This chapter describes how to properly conduct a physical examination of the blood vessels. The chapter also supplies descriptions of common heart disorders.
This study examines the medical decision making among Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. The authors also analyze the preferred information sources used for making decisions in these populations.
- Smuck, M., Kao, M., Brar, N., Martinez-Ith, A., Choi, J., & Tomkins-Lane, C. C. (2014). Does physical activity influence the relationship between low back pain and obesity? The Spine Journal, 14(2), 209–216. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2013.11.010
- Shiri, R., Solovieva , S., Husgafvel-Pursiainen, K., Telama, R., Yang, X., Viikari, J., Raitakari, O. T., & Viikari-Juntura, E. (2013). The role of obesity and physical activity in non-specific and radiating low back pain: The Young Finns study. Seminars in Arthritis &
- Rheumatism, 42(6), 640–650. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2012.09.00
- McCabe, C., & Wiggins, J. (2010a). Differential diagnosis of respiratory disease part 1. Practice Nurse, 40(1), 35–41.
Shadow Health Support and Orientation Resources
Use the following resources to guide you through your Shadow Health orientation as well as other support resources:
- Frey, C. [Chris Frey]. (2015, September 4). Student orientation [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfd_8pTJBkY
- Shadow Health. (n.d.). Shadow Health help desk. Retrieved from https://support.shadowhealth.com/hc/en-us
- Document: Shadow Health. (2014). Useful tips and tricks (Version 2) (PDF)
- Document: Student Acknowledgement Form (Word document)
Note: You will sign and date this form each time you complete your DCE Assignment in
- Shadow Health to acknowledge your commitment to Walden University’s Code of Conduct.
- Document: DCE (Shadow Health) Documentation Template for Focused Exam: Chest Pain (Word document)
Use this template to complete your Assignment 1 for this week.
Note: Section 2 of this chapter will be addressed in Week 10.
This section of Chapter 8 describes the anatomy of the chest wall, pulmonary, and cardiovascular systems. Section 1 also explains how to properly conduct examinations of these areas.
Note: Close the viewing window after the intro segment and after each diagnosis segment to view the menu. (12m)
