The nursing head to toe assessment checklist is one that can be done on a patient who is asleep or unconscious. In fact, it's better if the patient is not responsive while the list is being done as this allows the nurse or doctor to check for signs of abnormalities without worrying about getting permission from the patient. The patient will not know what is going on and nor can he or she move during the assessment. That's why it's best if they are still.