General Survey

• Includes observation of general appearance, level of comfort, mental status, & measurement of vitals, height, and weight

  general survey
• excessive perspiration

  hyperhidrosis
• foul-smelling perspiration

  bromhidrosis
• largest organ that protects underlying tissues and organs

  skin
• decrease in color of skin (lack of oxyhemoglobin)


  pallor
• bluish tinge in skin

  cyanosis
• yellowness of skin, sclera, mucous membrane, & excretion

  jaundice
• redness of skin due to congestion of the capillaries

  erythema
• purplish discoloration from collection of blood in subcutaneous tissues (bruise)

  ecchymosis
• small hemorrhagic spots caused by capillary bleeding

  petechiae
• white spots in the skin

  hypopigmentation
• dark spots in the skin

  hyperpigmentation
• indicative of status of hydration in the body/done by pinching the skin

  skin turgor
• hair loss

  alopecia
• excessive hair growth

  hirsutism
• nail plate is at an angle of 160 degrees

  normal nail shape
• nail curved like a spoon/present in patients with iron-deficiency anemia

  spoon-shaped nail
• nail at a flattened angle of 180 degrees

  early clubbing
• nail shape at an angle greater than 180 degrees/may be caused by long term lack of oxygen

  late clubbing
• grooves that run across the nails/may result from severe injury or illness

  beau's line