What Steps Are Involved In A Comprehensive Health Assessment?

 

Typically, a comprehensive assessment begins with documenting a patient’s health history before starting a physical exam. According to AMN Healthcare Education Services, the health history includes: the patient’s medical complaint, present state of health, past health record, current lifestyle, psychosocial status and family history.Physical Health Assessment Essay.

The health history provides nurses with in-depth information about symptoms, childhood illnesses, related medical experiences and risks for developing certain diseases.

After the health history data is recorded, a physical is conducted which covers a review of the patient’s body systems. A head to toe examination includes assessments of the following:

  • Skin
  • Neurological function
  • Ears, eyes, nose and throat
  • Respiratory function
  • Cardiac-pulmonary system
  • Abdomen
  • Muscles and joints
  • Limbs, shoulders, hips, ankles and feet
  • Reproductive system
  • Nutrition

A thorough and accurate assessment is important because it helps differentiate the normal condition of the patient from the abnormal. And, a comprehensive health assessment establishes if a patient needs diagnostic testing or additional medical care.Physical Health Assessment Essay.

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