What is the purpose of a physical assessment?

The purpose of a physical assessment is to evaluate a patient's physical health status. This comprehensive examination allows healthcare providers to gather essential information about a patient's current health condition, including vital signs, organ function, and any signs of illness or abnormality. By systematically assessing each body system, nurses can identify potential health issues, monitor changes over time, and establish a baseline for further examinations or interventions.

Understanding a patient's physical health status is critical for effective planning and delivery of care, enabling nurses to tailor interventions to the individual needs of the patient. This assessment is foundational to the nursing process, guiding clinical judgment and decision-making in providing quality patient care.

The other options, such as prescribing medication, documenting patient history, and coordinating care with specialists, involve different aspects of patient management. While they are important components of healthcare, they do not specifically capture the primary goal of a physical assessment, which is focused on evaluating and understanding the patient's physical condition.