2024 ATI Comprehensive Physical Assessment of a
Child
- Ophthalmoscope
oExamines internal eye structures
oComposed of lens-and-mirror system and a bright light
oBlack + # = magnify images
oRed - # = reduce images in a range of powers
- Establish and build rapport w/ children and family by establish a warm,
safe, cheerful, and private environment
- Parents, guardians, and other adults provide a critical link to
understanding a child’s health as primary source of info about child and
help child accept and cooperate w/ exam.
- Listen to caregivers when collecting data.
- Parents are responsible for carrying out plan of care, they must know
and understand that plan.
- Engage parent and child
oSee how child copes w/ new or stressful situations
oDoes child have experience w/ health care situations?
oAsk parents if they told child expectations during visit, then
observe child carefully for readiness to engage w/ you during
exam.
oInclude child in convo to whatever extent is appropriate.
oAllow parent to participate @ whatever level is comfy for them
and child.
- Organize the exam
oConsider sequence of steps of exam and attention span of child.
oPerform least invasive procedures 1st and the steps that might
feel strange or uncomfy w/ child last.
oIf child unparticipant in convo, talk w/ parent.
oHelp draw child in experience, try complimenting child.
- Involve child
oPlay game will help relax child and cooperate during exam
oTry speaking in 3rd person such as, “Little kids sometime think it
tickles when I listen to their tummy.”
oExplain each part of procedure to child and parent
