You are caring for a client on a medical-surgical floor during the shift, and you did a complete head-to-toe assessment at the beginning of your shift. Toward the end of your shift, the client complains of abdominal pain in the surgical area
You did a focused assessment on the client and noticed the incision has started to rebleed.
a. What is the difference between a focused assessment and a head-to-toe assessment?
b. When should a head-to-toe assessment be done?
Students' answers should include the following:
a. A focused assessment focuses on an area in question, where a head-to-toe assessment starts at the head and goes through all the body parts and systems to the toes. Discussion on why the nurse would pick this assessment instead of the head-to-toe or another type of assessment could be done.
b. Usually, a complete head-to-toe or systems assessment should be done initially or when the whole body needs to be examined.
Discussion can be done on the advantages of doing a complete and thorough assessment initially on a new client and at the beginning of each shift besides when there are any changes in client status.
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