Overview

In most situations, the trend of vital sign readings is more relevant than any individual reading.
Pain assessment is considered to be the fifth vital sign. Early pain assessment allows the nurse to interpret other vital signs in the proper context (increased pulse and blood pressure may be secondary to pain).
To obtain a true assessment of client status when using mechanical equipment, data must be correlated with clinical findings.
Generally, the more acute the client and setting, the more frequent and more in-depth the assessment must be.
A thorough clinical assessment provides the foundation for competent and complete follow-up care.
Assessment consists of objective and subjective data related to the client's present and past physical and mental health status.
Laboratory and diagnostic tests should be noted and correlated with physical assessment findings to facilitate accurate interpretation of data.
Performing an assessment in a systematic manner helps eliminate errors and oversights in data collection.
Blood pressure and pulse may be obtained by a variety of methods to determine cardiac or vascular status. One method may be more appropriate in certain clinical situations than in others, but each method requires precision.
Measuring the client's weight provides data about the client's current health state as well as cues for directing treatment.