During assessment, what is the best source to obtain patient information?

The best source to obtain patient information during an assessment is the medical record. Medical records provide a comprehensive, documented history of the patient's medical background, including past illnesses, treatments, allergies, current medications, and progress notes from healthcare providers. This information is critical for clinicians as it offers detailed insights that can guide further assessment and treatment decisions.

While verbal communication can provide valuable information from the patient and family input can give context about familial health history or patient behavior, neither source might be as reliable or comprehensive as the official medical record. Observations may inform clinical decision-making but can be subjective and not encompass the entire scope of a patient's health history or current conditions. Thus, the medical record stands out as the most reliable and thorough source of patient information for assessment purposes.