Upon completion of the cardiovascular assessment for

Upon completion of the cardiovascular assessment for Ms. Jones, it was found to be
unremarkable, without irregularities for cardiovascular health. She has no extra or abnormal
heart sounds. Her carotids are equal bilaterally and both without bruits. Tina had no peripheral
edema, and her capillary refill was found to be less than three seconds, all normal findings.
Even though Ms. Jones cardiovascular assessment was unremarkable, she has an SBP
>120 and is at high risk for prehypertension, due to both her diabetes and family history risk
factors (Kaplan, 2016). She will need to be educated on the importance of an exercise program
because of her risk factors. Ideally, she should continue her exercise and increase the frequency

ANALYSIS AND HEALTH PROMOTION 11
or duration, for at least thirty minutes to one hour, three times a week. Also, Tina will need to
learn more about the benefits of a low sodium diet. Ms. Jones should understand how to measure
and track her blood pressure at home, while learning about managing stress as well as the
relationship with sodium and exercise, and how all these components impact blood pressure
(Brooks, Barrett, Daly, Lee, Blanding, McHugh, Williams, & Gortmaker, 2017).
Abdominal Assessment . When assessing the abdomen, the order will be a little different
than the previous system assessments. With this system, the nurse will utilize inspection of the
abdomen first, following that with auscultation of the abdomen. While percussion and palpation
will then follow auscultation. The rationale for this process is related to the possibility of altering
the normal bowel sounds when using percussion and palpation (Jensen, 2015).
The assessment and inspection of Ms. Jones abdomen reveal a protuberant abdomen, with
her BMI contributing to this condition. Her abdomen was symmetric and coarse hair from the
pubis to the umbilicus was noted on inspection. Obesity makes the abdominal wall thickened and
deposits fats in the mesentery and omentum, which ultimately causes the appearance of the
protuberant abdomen (Jensen, 2015), noted with Tina. Auscultation revealed normoactive bowel
sounds in this patient, and was present in all quadrants, and are tympanic throughout as well,
with percussion. There were no noted or palpable masses identified by palpating her abdomen.
No tenderness, guarding or rebound was observed. Liver span was found to be seven centimeters
(cm) at the mid-clavicular line on percussion and palpable at one cm below the right costal
margin. The protuberant abdomen was the only finding in this portion of the assessment.
Since Ms. Jones did not report any gastrointestinal issues or concerns, and none were
identified, there are no new interventions but, she should continue her current diet and exercise
regimen with a focus on losing addition weight and lowering her BMI.

ANALYSIS AND HEALTH PROMOTION 12
Musculoskeletal Assessment . The musculoskeletal assessment consists of inspection and
palpation. The assessment includes assessing the patients’ posture while observing her gait, her
balance, and coordination. Palpating Ms. Jones extremities to assess for tenderness, swelling, and