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Medical-Surgical Nursing

Patient Assessment

Patient assessment is the first step in providing nursing care. It involves collecting and analyzing patient data.

TYPES OF ASSESSMENT:
1. Initial Assessment - Done at admission
2. Ongoing Assessment - Continuous monitoring
3. Focused Assessment - Targeted to specific problems
4. Emergency Assessment - Urgent situations

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT:
• Interview - Talking with the patient
• Observation - Looking for signs
• Palpation - Touching to feel
• Percussion - Tapping to sounds
• Auscultation - Listening with stethoscope

Always document your findings accurately and communicate with the healthcare team.