What should be performed on every patient during an assessment?

Conducting a physical examination on every patient during an assessment is essential, as it provides a comprehensive evaluation of the canine's overall health and well-being. This examination allows for the identification of any abnormalities or issues that may not be readily evident without a thorough hands-on assessment.

A physical examination encompasses various aspects, including assessing the animal's body condition, palpating organs, evaluating cardiovascular and respiratory systems, checking for signs of pain, and observing behavior. This kind of systematic approach ensures that any potential health problems can be detected early, enabling timely intervention and management.

In contrast, the other options, such as therapeutic interventions, surgical assessments, and laboratory tests, may be necessary for specific cases but are not universally required for every patient assessment. Therapeutic interventions depend on the findings of the physical examination, surgical assessments are only needed for patients with specific indications, and laboratory tests are performed based on the clinical signs observed but are not a routine requirement for every patient.