After assessing pulses, what should a nurse palpate next?

After assessing pulses, palpating the thorax for tenderness and respiratory excursion is a logical next step in a systematic assessment process. This approach helps to evaluate the respiratory function and ensures that the chest wall is moving appropriately with breathing. It also provides critical information about any potential issues in the thoracic cavity, such as fluid accumulation, pneumothorax, or injuries that could affect respiratory efficiency.

Evaluating respiratory excursion, which involves observing and feeling how the chest expands and contracts, is essential for understanding the patient's respiratory status. Proper lung inflation and adequate tidal volume are necessary for effective gas exchange, and any abnormalities can indicate underlying respiratory conditions. Tenderness in the thorax may also suggest underlying issues such as inflammation, infection, or trauma that require further investigation.

In contrast, while palpating other areas like the abdomen, legs, or head could provide important information about other systems or conditions, they do not directly follow the assessment of pulsations and the immediate concern of respiratory effectiveness. Thus, the focus on the thorax after pulses emphasizes the interconnectedness of cardiovascular and respiratory assessments, which are vital in evaluating a patient’s overall physiological status.