What are the Key Components of Symptom Assessment?
To perform a thorough symptom assessment, nurses should focus on several key components:
Onset: When did the symptoms start? Duration: How long have the symptoms been present? Location: Where is the symptom located? Intensity: How severe are the symptoms on a scale of 1 to 10? Quality: How do the symptoms feel (e.g., sharp, dull, burning)? Aggravating and Alleviating Factors: What makes the symptoms better or worse? Associated Symptoms: Are there other symptoms occurring simultaneously?
