This session (the second of two hours - see session 416) enhances nurses' patient evaluation skills using diagnostic maneuvers that require no special equipment. Participants will learn approximately 15 bedside techniques across five anatomical categories. Pulmonary maneuvers include detecting pleural rubs, tactile fremitus, pulsus paradoxus, and egophony. Abdominal assessments cover proper sequencing and quadrant auscultation, plus rebound tenderness. Orthopedic techniques feature Ottawa rules for x-ray necessity post-trauma and distinguishing soft tissue from fracture tenderness. Vital signs evaluation highlights pupillary response assessment without flashlights, determining cardiac rhythm regularity without calipers, and advanced pulse and blood pressure methods for identifying dehydration beyond standard orthostatic measurements.

Educational Objectives

• Describe the theory of 15 bedside nursing assessment maneuvers that are not commonly used but are very relevant to correctional nursing
• Review the nursing skills involved in applying these maneuvers
• Discuss the usefulness of these skills at the bedside or in the clinic

Level:Intermediate