Assessment

This module provides an overview of the approaches to assessment used to facilitate organisation, prioritisation and delivery of care. 

The nursing process involves a structured approach to the delivery of individualised family-centred care; the process includes assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation.    

The nursing role incorporates addressing the personal, physical, psycho-social, cultural and spiritual needs taking into consideration the patient and family’s wishes. An inclusive and holistic family-centered approach is important.

The sub-modules include information about the following: 

• How children differ from adults. 
• The essentials of the enquiry - what to ask and why, when to seek specialist advice.
• The essentials of clinical examination including basic joint examination (pGALS).
• The challenges of consultation with adolescents.
• Red flags and when to be concerned.
• Investigations - blood tests, urinalysis - what these may mean and how they can help with diagnosis and planning care.

Top Tips are available.

There are many resources to support learning about clinical assessment. 

• A free e-book from Versus Arthritis - this includes pGALS and much more !

• pGALS - a simple musculoskeletal assessment for children. Foster HE and Jandial S. Pediatric Rheumatology Online 2013.

• The pGALS App - Google Play and Apple Store - with multiple language translations, explanatory notes, images, and relevant links to PMM.