Physical Assessment – Overview: Nursing

A physical assessment is an important nursing skill that is used to collect objective data about a client‚It’s status by using the senses, like seeing a rash or hearing wheezes in the lungs. A physical assessment can also validate subjective information gathered from a health history, such as a client‚It’s report of pain or dizziness. Additionally, assessment is the first step in the nursing process, which can be used to develop a plan of care or to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention.