By
Carolyn Jarvis, PhD, APN, CNP, Family Nurse Practitioner, Chestnut Health Systems, Bloomington; Adjunct Assistant Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL
Description
Video 15 from the Jarvis Physical Examination and Health Assessment Video Series takes a systematic approach to the complete examination
of a preschooler, combining body-system assessments within the same region and adapting techniques to suit the child’s developmental
stage. First, it shows how to obtain an overview by observing general appearance, measuring height and weight, and assessing vital signs.
Then it proceeds through the body regions, saving potentially distressing examinations for last. It includes examination of the chest
and heart, abdomen, genitalia (with variations for girls and boys), legs, arms, head and neck, eyes, nose, mouth and throat, and ears.
