Why might a nurse perform a skin assessment on a patient?

Performing a skin assessment is a critical component of nursing care, and one of its key purposes is to detect changes or abnormalities indicating skin conditions. This involves observing the skin for various signs such as rashes, lesions, discoloration, and other irregularities that may signal underlying health issues, infections, or reactions to medications. By identifying these changes early, nurses can initiate appropriate interventions, inform treatment plans, and monitor ongoing care needs effectively.

While evaluating hydration status can involve skin assessment, it’s not the primary reason for performing a full skin examination. Additionally, assessing pain levels and mobility are important aspects of patient care but are generally done through different assessment techniques and do not specifically relate to skin evaluation.