The document describes the fundamentals of health assessment in nursing. It defines health assessment as a systematic appraisal of all factors relevant to a client's health. The purposes of health assessment are to establish a health baseline, identify problems, plan care, and provide a holistic view of the client. The processes involved include obtaining a health history, performing a physical exam using various techniques, and recording findings. The document also outlines different types of assessments and the primary methods used which are observing, interviewing, and examining.