Health Assessment

• What is nursing described as in the study material?

  An art of applying scientific principles
• What does the nursing process serve as?

  An organizational framework for nursing practice
• What does an accurate health assessment reflect?

  The knowledge and skills of a professional nurse
• What is the nursing process?

  A systematic problem-solving technique for care
• What does ADPIE stand for?

  Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
• What is the first step of the nursing process?

  Assessment to determine health status
• What is the purpose of assessment in nursing?

  To gather necessary information for health status
• What should nursing assessment focus on?

  The client's response to a health problem
• What should nursing assessment include according to Bandman and Bandman?

  Client's perceived needs and health practices
• Why is it important for nurses to think critically about what to assess?

  To ensure data collected is relevant to health problems
• What are the purposes of health assessment in nursing?

  • Collect data pertinent to health status
  • Identify deviations from normal
  • Discover strengths and limitations
  • Pinpoint actual problems
  • Spot risk factors for health issues
  • Build rapport with patient and family
• What are the types of patients for assessment?

  • Pediatric (neonate, infant, children)
  • Adolescent
  • Young adults & adults
  • Geriatric/elderly (conscious, unconscious, delirious)
  • Psychiatric (different categories)
• What are the types of assessments in nursing?

  1. Initial Assessment
  2. Focus Assessment
  3. Time Lapsed Assessment
  4. Emergency Assessment
• What is the purpose of an initial assessment?

  To establish a complete data base for problem identification
• What does a time-lapsed assessment evaluate?

  Changes in the client’s functional health
• What is a focused assessment?

  A thorough assessment of a particular client problem
• What is the priority during an emergency assessment?

  Preservation of life in life-threatening situations
• What are the primary methods of assessment?

  • Observing
  • Interviewing
  • Examining
• What is the process of a physical exam?

  Evaluating objective anatomic findings
• What techniques are used in physical examination?

  • Inspection
  • Palpation
  • Percussion
  • Auscultation
• What is inspection in physical examination?


  Close visualization of the person and body systems
• What does palpation assess?

  Temperature, texture, moisture, and tenderness
• What is percussion used for in assessment?

  Assessing underlying structures of tissues
• What is auscultation?

  Listening to sounds produced by the body
• What is the purpose of collecting data in assessment?

  Gathering information about the patient's health
• What are the sources of data in assessment?

  Primary and secondary sources
• Who is the primary source of data?

  The patient
• What is subjective data in assessment?

  Verbal statements made by the patient
• What are the skills required for health assessment?

  • Cognitive skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Psychomotor skills
  • Affective/interpersonal skills
  • Ethical skills
• What does cognitive skill in assessment involve?

  Critical thinking and clinical decision-making
• What is the role of problem-solving skills in assessment?

  Using scientific methods and experience
• What is objective data in assessment?

  Data detected by an observer and measurable
• What does psychomotor skill in assessment refer to?

  Practical skills involved in performing assessments
• What does affective/interpersonal skill in assessment involve?

  Building trust and mutual respect with patients
• What does ethical skill in assessment entail?

  Being responsible and accountable for practice
• What are the steps in preparing a patient for health assessment?

  1. Develop a systematic approach
  2. Explain each step clearly
  3. Ensure physical comfort
  4. Prepare the environment
• What is the head-to-toe approach in assessment?

  Examining from head and neck to feet
• What is the body system approach in assessment?

  Examining each system in a predetermined order
• What is the nurse's responsibility in preparing the client?

  Ensuring the client's physical comfort
• What are the components of preparing the environment for assessment?

  • Well-lit area
  • Organized equipment
  • Privacy for the patient