Nursing assessment

In some instances, the nursing assessment is very broad in scope and in other cases it may focus on one body system or mental health.

The nurse may employ the use of acronyms performing the assessment: The patient history and interview is considered to be subjective but still of high importance when combined with objective measurements.

In some instances, the nursing assessment will not incorporate the typical patient history and interview if prioritization indicates that immediate action is urgent to preserve the airway, breathing and circulation.

[9] The nurse conducts a neurovascular assessment to determine sensory and muscular function of the arms and legs in addition to peripheral circulation.

The focused neurovascular assessment includes the objective observation of pulses, capillary refill, skin color and temperature, and sensation.

Nurses should be aware of the many factors that can influence the patient's overall experience and expression of pain, and these should be considered during the assessment process.

Systematic process of pain assessment, measurement, and re-assessment (re-evaluation), enhances the healthcare teams' ability to achieve.

The psychological examination may also include the client's perceptions (why they think they are being assessed or have been referred, what they hope to gain from the meeting).

The need for a physical health assessment is always included in any psychological examination to rule out structural damage or anomalies.

Some of the information obtained during the interview include: A range of instruments and tools have been developed to assist nurses in their assessment role.

These include, the otoscope, thermometer, stethoscope, penlight, sphygmomanometer, bladder scanner, speculum, and eye charts.

Besides the interviewing process, the nursing assessment utilizes certain techniques to collect information such as observation, auscultation, palpation and percussion.