Performing physical examinations in the field of nursing competence

Introduction
The basic element of the nursing process is the correct diagnosis by a nurse and planning of care on the basis of the results of physical examination, observation, or analysis of patient’s medical records. The aim of the physical examination is to recognize deviations from the norm (physiology) and the health needs of the patient. The knowledge, competence and skills of nurses affect both the safety of patients and the development of nursing as a profession. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of physical examinations in the field of nursing competence by working nursing students (master’s degree studies).

Material and methods
The research was conducted in a group of professionally active nurses studying nursing at the master’s degreelevel. One hundred people took part, most of them women (88%). The research tool is an original, non-standardized questionnaire, created for the needs of research work.

Results
The most common elements of physical examination performed by nurses include basic vital parameters (> 90%), interview (89%) and nutritional status assessment (82%). The age of the respondents, work experience, and the declared self-assessment of knowledge and skills did not differentiate them with regard to the scope and frequency of physical examinations in clinical practice (p > 0.05). The vast majority of respondents (74%) are willing to undergo additional training in the field of physical examination.

Conclusions
Professionally active nurses, graduate students declare a good level of a generalized sense of their own skills and knowledge about the physical examination, while to a negligible extent they use the research skills of individual systems in everyday practice. Their assessment of the patient’s condition is based mainly on the study of basic life parameters and the use of selected scales to assess the patient’s clinical condition and assess the risk of deterioration of health.