When assessing affect, what should the nurse primarily observe?

When assessing affect, the nurse primarily observes facial expressions and behaviors because these are the most direct indicators of an individual's emotional state. Affect relates to the outward expression of emotion and can be observed through a person's demeanor, including their facial movements, gestures, and overall body language. These observable behaviors provide insight into how the patient is feeling and can indicate a range of emotions, such as happiness, sadness, anger, or anxiety.

While frequency of speech can offer supplementary information regarding a patient's emotional state, it is not the primary focus for assessing affect. Sleeping patterns provide insight into the patient's physical and mental health but are not direct indicators of affect. Patient history reports can offer context and background but do not reflect the immediate emotional expressions that affect encompasses. Hence, focusing on facial expressions and behaviors allows the nurse to capture the nuances of a patient's emotional experience more effectively.