Nursing assessment
Assessment of the dermatology patient includes obtaining a detailed dermatological history as this may provide clues to diagnosis, management and nursing care of the existing problem, with careful observation and meticulous description and should cover the following areas:
- a history of the patient’s skin condition
- a general assessment
- a specific skin assessment
- consideration of the skin as a sensory organ
- assessment of the patient’s knowledge about his or her skin condition
History of the patient’s skin condition
- How long has the condition been present?
- How often does it occur or recur?
- Are there any seasonal variations?
- Is there a family history of skin disease?
- What are the patient’s occupation and hobbies?
- What medication is the patient taking?
- Are there any known allergies?
- Previous and present treatments and their effectiveness?
- Are there any treatments, actions or behavioural changes which influence the condition?
