Schools of Health and Allied Health Sciences

College of Nursing

LEVEL 1
NUR 098
2nd Semester
SY: 2023 – 2024

Name:________________________________ Group: ________ Date: ____________ Rating:_________

PERFORMANCE CHECKLIST IN ASSESSING THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

CRITERIA PROFICIENT APPROACHING DEVELOPING BEGINNING

PROFICIENCY
(4) (3) (2) (1)
INITIAL STEPS Independently Performs skills with Perform skills with Perform skills with
Performs all skills assistance of faculty assistance of assistance of
frequently and 1-2 times during faculty 3-4 times faculty greater than
without simulation during simulation 4 times during
difficulty simulation.
1. Identify the patient.
2. Explain the purpose of the
cardiovascular system
and answer any questions to the
patient.
3. Perform hand hygiene.
4. Assist the patient to a supine
position with the head of bed
elevated about 30-45 degrees and
expose anterior chest.

ASSESSING THE CARDIOVASCULAR

SYSTEM
1. Inspect and palpate the left and then
the right carotid arteries. Only
palpate one carotid artery at a
time. Use the bell of the
stethoscope to auscultate the
arteries.
2. Inspect the neck for jugular vein
distention, observing for pulsation
3. Inspect the precordium for contour,
pulsation and heaves. Observe for
the apical impulse at the 4th to 5th
intercostal space
4. Using the palmar surface with the
four fingers held together, palpate
the precordium gently for
pulsation. Remember the hands
should be warm. Palpation
proceeds in a systematic manner,
with assessment of specific
cardiac landmarks-the aortic,
pulmonic, tricuspid and mitral
areas and Erb’s point. Palpate the
apical impulse in the mitral area.
Note size, duration,
force and location in relationship to
the midclavicular line.
5. Use systematic auscultation,
beginning at the aortic area,
moving to the pulmonic area, then
to the Erb’s point, then to the
tricuspid area and finally to the
mitral
area.

6. Ask the patient to breathe normally.

The stethoscope diaphragm is first
used to listen to high pitch sounds.
Focus on the overall rate and
rhythm of the heart and the
normal heart sound.
ASSESSING THE PERIPHERAL
VASCULAR SYSTEM
1. Inspect the upper extremities.
Observe skin color, presence of
lesion, rashes and muscle mass.
Palpate for presence of lesions,
rashes and presence of masses.
2. Palpate the radial and brachial
pulses.
3. Assist the patient to a supine
position, Examine the lower
extremities. Inspect the legs and feet
for color, lesion, varicosities, hair
growth, nail growth, edema and
muscle mass.
4. Test for pitting edema in the
pretibial area by pressing fingers
into the skin of the pretibial area. If
an indentation remains in the skin
after the fingers have been lifted
pitting edema is present.
5. Palpate for pulse and skin
temperature at the posterior
tibial, dorsalis pedis and
popliteal areas.
AFTER PROCEDURE

1. Assist the patient to a

comfortable position.
2. Perform hand hygiene

3. Document the findings of the

assessment.
RATING RATING RATING RATING
TOTAL POINTS: 72

Instructor’s Comments:
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________ __________

____________________________________
Signature over Printed name of the Student

____________________________________
Signature over Printed name of the Clinical
Instructor

Prepared:

Cherry Joy H. Datan, RN, MAN, Ed.D

Level I – Coordinator

Noted:

Jill Marie C. Hermogenes, RN, MAN, Ed.D

Assistant Dean

Approved:

Michelle B. Yu, RN, MAN, DM

Dean