NUR 2180 PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT

NUR 2180 PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT Physical Assessment Method for gathering health data - ANSWER Assessment is 1st step of the nursing process and is ongoing throughout the nurse-patient relationship. It is process you use to collect physical data relevant to the patient's health. Use four of your senses: sight, smell, hearing, and touch Goal: To gather objective data about a client. What is objective data? (measurable by nurse, classified as signs) What is subjective data? (verbalized by patient, not directly measurable, classified as symptoms) Clients are examined: on admission (comprehensive, in depth) briefly at the beginning of each shift (more focused) any time the client's condition changes When evaluating the effectiveness of nursing care Anytime things do not "feel right" PURPOSES of ASSESSMENT - ANSWER Evaluate client's current physical condition Detect early signs of developing health problems Establish a baseline for future comparisons (done on admission) Evaluate client's responses to medical and nursing interventions Monitor for changes in body function Detect specific body systems that need further assessment or testing There are 5 basic techniques: Inspection (look) Palpation (feel)