In this demo, Nurse Mike walks you through a quick overview of head-to-toe assessment — the clinical skill you’ll use on every shift and on the NCLEX. You’ll learn exactly what to assess, where to place your stethoscope, and how to document findings like a pro. Nurse Mike teaches in a proven way to make this info stick, so you can walk into clinicals and exams with confidence.
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🔗 Helpful Links
Head-to-Toe Assessment Guide (Step-by-Step + Checklist):
Head-to-Toe Assessment NCLEX Practice Questions + Review:
Head to Toe Assessment Practice Questions with Answers and NCLEX® Review
Related Mini Lesson (YouTube):
💡 What You’ll Learn
How to perform a complete head-to-toe assessment for nursing school, clinicals, and NCLEX
Exactly how to assess AOx4, PERRLA, JVD, carotid bruits, lung sounds, and apical pulse
Landmarks for lung and heart auscultation (anterior and posterior)
Abdominal assessment sequence (look, listen, then feel) and bowel sound timing
Extremity checks: pulses, capillary refill, ROM, strength grading (0–5), and gait
Documentation tips to capture normal vs. abnormal findings clearly
🕒 Timestamps
00:00 Free study help + why head-to-toe assessment matters
00:08 Start here: Overview of head-to-to-toe flow
00:13 Mental status: Alertness & AOx4 (person, place, time, situation)
00:33 Eyes: Symmetry, PERRLA, sclera, conjunctiva
00:48 Nose & Sinuses: Patency, septum, sinus tenderness
00:53 Mouth & Throat: Lips, mucosa, tongue, gums, teeth, swallow, gag
01:02 Neck: Lymph nodes, thyroid, trachea midline, ROM, airway
01:21 Inspect JVD (fluid overload check)
01:25 Carotids: Palpate one at a time + auscultate bruits (bell)
01:40 Heart: 5 landmarks (Aortic, Pulmonic, Erb’s, Tricuspid, Mitral) + apical pulse; murmurs with bell
02:09 Lungs: Rate, symmetry, dyspnea/cough; compare L vs R; adventitious sounds
02:31 Landmarks: Apex above clavicle; 2nd/4th ICS; bases at 6th ICS mid-axillary
02:46 Posterior lungs: Apex above scapula; C7–T3; bases T3–T10 — listen full cycle
03:07 Abdomen: Look → Listen (1 min/quad; 3–5 min if absent) → Palpate
03:37 Palpation: Guarding, rigidity, masses; clockwise technique
03:58 Bowel habits: Ask about last BM
04:03 Extremities: Deformities, edema, cap refill, pulses (arms/legs/feet), ROM, strength (0–5), gait; diabetic foot check
04:50 Wrap-up: Document everything + get more free resources
❤️ Why This Matters
Head-to-toe assessment is foundational to safe nursing practice and NCLEX success. Mastering this sequence helps you detect abnormalities early, communicate clearly with the healthcare team, and deliver high-quality patient care with confidence.
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