Comprehensive dermatologic assessment

An overview of the role of the nurse-midwife

“…Eight articles address the series' content in comprehensive health assessment, health promotion, and coordination of referrals. These articles include comprehensive assessment of hematologic disorders (66), the cardiovascular system (67), the respiratory system (68), the neurologic system (69), the integumentary system (70), the musculoskeletal system (71), the head and neck (72), and the gastrointestinal system (73). The final article addresses comprehensive assessment and primary care management of genitourinary tract disorders (74).…”

Comprehensive assessment of the head and neck

“…Due to the complexity of the body systems involved in the head and neck region of the body, the authors recommend that the reader consult other articles in this series that detail the information needed for a comprehensive assessment of the neurologic system (4), the integumentary system (8), the gastrointestinal system (9), the musculoskeletal system (10), the circulatory system (11), the respiratory system (12), and the lymphatic system (13). These articles are particularly helpful as an adjunct to the health history information provided below.…”

“…Typically, this observation occurs while the history is obtained. The face should be inspected to assess the condition of the facial skin—including pigmentation, texture, thickness, edema, hair distribution, and the presence of lesions or scars (8). The shape and symmetry of bilateral facial structures and the presence of any involuntary movements should be noted.…”

“…Headache is an extremely common presenting complaint, and although the likelihood of an ominous problem presenting first with headache is very small (0.1%), a careful neurologic evaluation should be conducted (4, 15). Rashes and lesions are also common skin disorders of the head and should lead to a comprehensive dermatologic assessment as indicated (8). These topics are covered thoroughly in this series and may be found in the papers on assessment of the neurologic system (4) and assessment of the dermatologic system (8).…”

“…Rashes and lesions are also common skin disorders of the head and should lead to a comprehensive dermatologic assessment as indicated (8). These topics are covered thoroughly in this series and may be found in the papers on assessment of the neurologic system (4) and assessment of the dermatologic system (8).…”