HELP with nursing assessment!!!

[Brianna07]

I cant remember what to say correctly when performing a nursing assignment. For example: when I want I want to check the patient skin. I was told that I cant say can I check your skin. I know its simple but my peers making it harder

[healthcarestudent]

I have done a skin assessment and to me, i think it has more to do with if your patient has a problem with her skin. For instance, does she have a rash? If she does, then you can say "How is the rash looking today?" While asking the question, you are taking a look at it? The patients will tell you how they feel, you can from there come up with other questions. Another thing is to may be research if there is a tool you can use for skin assessments online or the facility's guidelines for skin assessment.

Just my 2 cents

[loriangel14, RN]

Why can't you say" I need to check your skin"? It seems like a straight forward thing to say.

[futurenurseashley]

How about "Next, I'm going to see if your skin has any redness, swelling, or breakdown."? To me, that way seems the least rude, but it also isn't begging permission. It keeps the patient informed of the process of assessment without compromising your position.