3.2.1 Overview
Now that you have a new or renewed understanding of the body processes, you can begin to learn to observe your client for signs and symptoms and learn how to assess your client’s physical status and mental status. You are a frontline worker, and you may be the first person, or in some cases the only person, this client sees through the day; therefore, it is important for you to know how to assess their status for changes.
This chapter will teach you the specific elements of a complete client assessment, which, if practiced frequently and effectively, will allow you to assess the status of the client.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Recognize and report differences in client condition.
- Recognize the need for immediate emergency care and initiate appropriate protocols.
- Identify information needed in the client documentation.
- Recommend resources and provide information to ensure optimal care for clients.
Key Terms
When learning about the essentials of observing your clients, it is essential to first look at the terminology to ensure that you understand everything clearly. These terms will be used throughout this chapter, so it is important to take the time to master them and practice your recall often.
-
- Gait
- Ataxia
- Cervical Dystonia
- Dystonia
- Chorea
- Parkinson’s disease
- Restless legs syndrome
- Tremor
Whenever these terms are first introduced in this chapter, they are bolded. However, if you need additional information about a term than what is provided here, you can research it in The Free Dictionary: Medical Dictionary.
