assessing /əses″ing/ [L, assidere, to sit beside] , (in five-step nursing process) a category of nursing behavior that includes the gathering, verifying, and communicating of information related to the client. The nurse collects information from verbal interactions with the patient, the patient’s family, and significant others; examines standard data sources for information; systematically checks for symptoms and signs; determines the patient’s ability to perform self-care activities; examines the patient’s environment; and identifies reactions of the staff (including the nurse who is performing the assessment) to the patient and to the patient’s family and significant others. To verify the data, the nurse confirms the observations and perceptions by gathering additional information; discusses the decisions made by other members of the staff, when indicated; and personally evaluates and checks the patient’s condition. The nurse reports the information that has been gathered and verified. Although assessing is the first of the five steps of the nursing process, preceding analyzing, it is integral to effective nursing practice at all steps of the process. See also analyzing, evaluating, implementing, nursing process, planning.
