What should be done if a full skin assessment cannot be completed during the first visit?

When a full skin assessment cannot be completed during the first visit, collaborating with another clinician for the assessment is the most appropriate course of action. This approach ensures that the patient receives a comprehensive evaluation without unnecessary delays in care. Collaboration allows for the expertise of another professional, who may be specialized in skin assessments, to provide valuable insights and ensure that the assessment is thorough and accurate.

Additionally, coordinating with another clinician helps maintain continuity of care and ensures that the information gathered is reliable, which is critical for developing a comprehensive plan of care. This type of collaboration can help identify any potential issues that require immediate attention, facilitating prompt interventions that might be needed based on the skin assessment findings.

While documenting the inability to perform the assessment and proceeding is useful for record-keeping, it does not address the need for a thorough evaluation of the patient's skin condition. Assessing only pressure ulcers/injuries may overlook other important aspects of skin health. Waiting for physician approval would unnecessarily delay the assessment and potentially compromise patient care. Therefore, involving another clinician for a complete skin assessment is the best option in this scenario.