Medical & Nursing

Specialized & Licensing - Medical & Nursing

Practical Applications

Patient Assessment Skills

The First Step in Care

Accurate patient assessments are the foundation of effective treatment. This includes interviewing, observing, and using tools to check vital signs.

Checklist for Effective Assessment

  • Obtain a thorough health history.
  • Measure vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure).
  • Perform focused physical exams when needed.

Impact on Outcomes

Early detection of changes in condition can prevent complications and save lives.

Examples

  • Spotting early signs of infection in a post-surgery patient.

  • Identifying dehydration in an elderly patient through skin turgor checks.