Nursing assessment is defined as the collection of data to determine a patient's health problems. There are four types of nursing assessment - initial, focused, emergency, and time-lapsed. The initial assessment is performed soon after admission. A focused assessment collects data and information about a specific problem and may identify new problems during initial and/or routine evaluation. An emergency nursing assessment deals with life-threatening issues requiring immediate attention. Time-lapsed assessments involve periodic reassessments of current health status. Additionally, nursing assessments are prioritized based on four factors: health orientation, developmental stage, culture, and the need for nursing. Health orientation encompasses the patient's health risks and examines their individual lifestyle characteristics. The developmental stage considers the patient's specific needs so that an appropriate assessment is performed, for example, milestone assessments in infants. The patient's cultural background, including racial, ethical, religious, and socioeconomic factors, should also be considered. Finally, the need for nursing informs the planning and delivery of care.