Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

Which type of assessment provides a holistic view of a patient including physical and mental conditions?

1. Focused assessment

2. Comprehensive assessment

3. Minimal assessment

4. Screening assessment

The correct answer is: Comprehensive assessment

A comprehensive assessment is designed to provide a holistic view of a patient, encompassing both their physical and mental health conditions. This type of assessment involves gathering in-depth information about the patient's health history, current health status, family history, lifestyle factors, and psychosocial factors, allowing for a thorough understanding of the patient's overall well-being. The comprehensive assessment often takes into account various dimensions of health, including emotional and mental health, social circumstances, and any other factors that may affect the patient’s health. This multifaceted approach is essential for creating a complete picture of the patient's needs and developing an appropriate care plan. Other types of assessments have narrower focuses. For instance, a focused assessment targets a specific problem or issue, a minimal assessment gathers basic or limited information about a patient's condition, and a screening assessment is used primarily to identify potential health issues in asymptomatic individuals. These approaches do not offer the same level of detail regarding the patient's overall health as the comprehensive assessment does.