The purpose of the physical assessment is to: (Select all that apply. )

A) compare the patient's status with previous findings.
B) help the nurse gather additional data.
C) help select the best nursing measures.
D) teach patients about better health promotion.

In acute care settings,you perform a brief physical assessment at the beginning of each shift to identify changes in the patient's status for comparison with the previous assessment.After gathering data,the nurse groups significant findings into patterns of data that reveal actual or risk nursing diagnoses.Each abnormal finding directs the nurse to gather additional data.The information is useful in selecting the best nursing measures to manage the patient's health problems.During the physical assessment is an ideal time to offer patient teaching and encourage promotion of health practices,such as breast and genital self-examination.