Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What type of assessment is focused on evaluating specific needs such as medication effects?

1. Comprehensive assessment

2. Focused assessment

3. Initial assessment

4. Emotional assessment

The correct answer is: Focused assessment

A focused assessment is specifically designed to evaluate particular aspects of a patient's health or specific needs, such as the effects of medication. This type of assessment involves gathering information related to a narrowly defined issue, which allows the healthcare provider to identify changes or concerns efficiently. In this case, assessing how a medication is affecting a patient involves observing symptoms, side effects, and efficacy, which fits the criteria of a focused assessment. In contrast, a comprehensive assessment involves a more holistic view, looking at the entire patient, including medical history, physical examination, and various health domains. An initial assessment is usually conducted upon a patient's first visit to establish a baseline. An emotional assessment, while critical, focuses specifically on the patient's mental and emotional well-being rather than the effects of medication. Thus, the nature and intent of a focused assessment make it the correct answer in this context.