Assessment

Definition

Assessment is the systematic collection and analysis of information about a patient's health status to inform nursing care plans. It includes gathering data on the patient's physical condition, medication history, and response to drug therapy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Assessment is the first step in the Nursing Process and sets the foundation for subsequent steps.
2. Accurate assessment helps identify potential drug interactions and contraindications.
3. It involves both subjective data (patient-reported symptoms) and objective data (vital signs, lab results).
4. Regular reassessment is crucial to monitor the effectiveness of drug therapy and adjust treatment as necessary.
5. Effective communication with patients during assessment can improve medication adherence and outcomes.

Review Questions

• Why is assessment considered the first step in the Nursing Process?
• What types of data are collected during a patient assessment?
• How does regular reassessment impact drug therapy management?

Related terms

Diagnosis: The identification of a health problem based on assessment data.

Intervention: Actions taken by nurses to address patient problems identified through assessment.

Evaluation:

The process of determining the effectiveness of nursing interventions based on patient reassessment.