What is the primary purpose of a nurse's physical assessment?

The primary purpose of a nurse's physical assessment is to establish immediate health risks. This assessment involves gathering comprehensive data about a patient's physiological status through techniques such as inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. By conducting this thorough examination, the nurse can identify any urgent health issues or risks that may need immediate attention, ensuring that appropriate interventions are initiated as necessary to address any critical conditions.

While confirming a client's medical history, diagnosing underlying health conditions, and creating a treatment plan are all important aspects of patient care, they are not the primary focus of the physical assessment itself. The assessment serves as a foundation for recognizing health risks in real-time, which can then inform further diagnostic processes, care planning, and treatment decisions.