Mental Status and Nervous System, Breast, Abdominal, and Genitourinary
| Unit 6/Module 3 Journal NU552 |
| Date Student Name:
|
| OBJECTIVE |
| Breast
Breasts bilaterally symmetrical, no skin dimpling or retraction. No palpable masses or tenderness. No lymph node abnormalities or enlargement on the axillary region. No lesion or nipple discharge: Mental Status and Nervous System, Breast, Abdominal, and Genitourinary. |
| Abdomen
Soft, non-distended, no rigidity or rebound. Bowel sounds are normoactive in all quadrants upon auscultation. No tenderness, organomegaly, or palpable masses.
|
| Genitourinary
No discharge or lesions on external genitalia. No active bleeding or masses noted. No signs of trauma or irritation. No foul smell, vaginal mucosa appears normal. No masses or prolapses noted. The uterus is normal size and shape, and mildly tender. Adnexa without significant tenderness or palpable masses. |
| Neurological
Alert and oriented x3. Muscle strength 5/5 bilaterally in upper and lower extremities.
Reflexes 2+ and symmetric. Sensation intact to light touch. No focal deficits observed. Normal gait and coordination. |
| Psychiatric
Appropriate affect. Well cooperative and engaged during the exam. No signs of depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders. The thought process is logical and coherent. No hallucinations, delusions, or suicidal ideation. |
| Performing a Breast Exam of a Female Patient |
| The patient has to be placed in an upright position with arms first on the sides, then overhead, then pressed against the hips, and then when the patient is leaning forward. This helps well examine any changes in breast shape, skin, and size (Henderson et al., 2023).
Inspection should focus on the breast shape, skin change, and nipple, including discharge. The next step is to palpate the entire breast with the patient lying down to check for any masses. |
| Performing a GU Exam |
| A GU exam requires gloves, lubricant, speculum, light torch, swabs, specimen containers, and tools for pap smear. Place the patient in a lithotomy position with a drape over them. Inspect external genitalia for lesions, trauma signs, irritation, or discharge.
Use a lubricated speculum to inspect the vaginal walls and cervix. Palpate the uterus and conduct a rectovaginal exam if needed to check for masses in the posterior uterus. |
| Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Judgment |
| Diagnostic reasoning and clinical judgment include combining practice guidelines with what is observed during assessments to make a conclusive and accurate diagnostic decision. The use of clinical judgment can help determine whether observations made during breast exams require further evaluation.
Since cancer diagnosis is complicated and physical exams may not lead to a conclusive diagnosis (American Cancer Society, 2025), the use of decision support systems such as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) may improve diagnostic reasoning through risk and symptoms stratification to guide diagnosis and further actions (Merjane et al., 2024). |
References
American Cancer Society. (2025). ACS breast cancer screening guidelines. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/american-cancer-society-recommendations-for-the-early-detection-of-breast-cancer.html
Henderson, J. A., Duffee, D., & Ferguson, T. (2023). Breast examination techniques. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459179/
Merjane, V., Marcel, D., Perin, P., Martins Gomes, P., Bacha, E., Medicis, B., Miranda, M., Galvão, A., Bitencourt, V., Iared, W., Pires, A., & Damin, S. (2024). Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS®): A success history and particularities of its use in Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, 46, e-rbgo6. https://doi.org/10.61622/RBGO/2024AR06
ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE
We’ll write everything from scratch
Question 
Integrate scientific knowledge to guide decision making in the physical assessment and diagnostic reasoning of abdominal, genitourinary, and nervous system examinations across the patient lifespan.
You will use a live person volunteer, not a patient, and conduct the physical examination as a professional medical provider. During your examination you should verbalize for the evaluator what you are doing and why. “Assessing higher cognition.” “Assessing function of the cranial nerves.”
Assessing hearing via bone conduction.” Your comments are your choice, demonstrating your understanding of the assessment and the purpose.
My name is X NPTaking care of you ZAge 30Thank you for giving me the opportunity to take care of you.
Be sure to read the required readings and watch the videos assigned in the readings. Your final production video should be about 5 minutes. It should not exceed 6 minutes; so your preparation and succinctness in the process and moving the patient through the exam is important. Consider how you will divide your time as you begin to prepare and practice.

Mental Status and Nervous System, Breast, Abdominal, and Genitourinary
- One page
- APA format
- Provide 3 scholarly references
- Provide appropriate citations