AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
NURS 3802
Assessing the environment is an important component of patient safety and satisfaction. Observe the environment
each time you enter the room and while talking to the patient. The environment may change following visitation or
beside procedures (ie; bedside table or call light out of reach, side rails down, etc).
SAFETY
hand hygiene equipment
bed position
side railshow many are up
call light in reach
phone/personal items in reach
patient’s position in bed
mobility aidsartificial limb, brace, crutches, cane,
walker, etc
objects left at the bedsideneedles, syringes, medications,
etc
NS or H2O2 @ bedsideamount, expiration, need to
replace
O2 THERAPY
presenthow much, what type, congruent with report
IV THERAPY
presenttype, rate, amount LTC, congruent with report
check bag and tubingexpiration
site assessmentadditional info obtained during HTT
assessment
PLUMBING (additional info obtained during HTT
assessment)
urine
foleycolor, clarity, volume, require
emptying/record
urinalrequire emptying/record
BSCrequire emptying/record
drains
JP
penrose
NGTcolor, continuous or intermittent suction,
capped
chest tube(s)
tracheostomy
RR
FLUID RESTRICTION(S)
sign present
if NPO, remove all glasses, water pitcher, etc
if restricted/shift, remind patient/SO
ENTERAL FEEDING
typecontinuous (rate), intermittent (amount,
frequency), congruent with report
check bag and tubingexpiration
PARENTERAL FEEDING
typerate, congruent with report
lipidsrate, congruent with report
check bag and tubingexpiration
OTHER
isolation cartsign, enough equipment
check bathroom
check sink areapaper towels, gloves, soap
signs above bed or on door
visitors—who, relationship to patient
ongoing assessmentsblood glucose, 24 hour urine,
calorie count, daily weight, sputum, stool