, PAGE 2 — Introduction to Health Assessment
Definition of Health Assessment
Health assessment is a systematic process used by nurses to collect, analyze, and
interpret patient data to determine health status and identify deviations from normal.
Purpose of Health Assessment
1. Establish baseline health status
2. Identify health problems and risks
3. Guide nursing interventions
4. Evaluate effectiveness of care
Types of Health Assessment
● Comprehensive assessment: Full physical, psychological, and social evaluation
● Focused assessment: Targeted examination based on specific complaints
● Emergency assessment: Rapid evaluation in critical situations
PAGE 3 — Nursing Process & Assessment
The Nursing Process
1. Assessment: Collecting data
2. Diagnosis: Identifying patient problems
3. Planning: Setting measurable goals
4. Implementation: Nursing interventions
5. Evaluation: Assessing outcomes
Definition of Health Assessment
Health assessment is a systematic process used by nurses to collect, analyze, and
interpret patient data to determine health status and identify deviations from normal.
Purpose of Health Assessment
1. Establish baseline health status
2. Identify health problems and risks
3. Guide nursing interventions
4. Evaluate effectiveness of care
Types of Health Assessment
● Comprehensive assessment: Full physical, psychological, and social evaluation
● Focused assessment: Targeted examination based on specific complaints
● Emergency assessment: Rapid evaluation in critical situations
PAGE 3 — Nursing Process & Assessment
The Nursing Process
1. Assessment: Collecting data
2. Diagnosis: Identifying patient problems
3. Planning: Setting measurable goals
4. Implementation: Nursing interventions
5. Evaluation: Assessing outcomes
