NURS 6512 Week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History

NURS 6512 Week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History

Being able to obtain a comprehensive health history for a patient is important in developing a treatment plan for them.  The purpose of this discussion post is to discuss interview techniques I would use for an 85-year-old white female living alone with declining health.  I will talk about the risk assessment instrument I would use and why.  Lastly, I will list five targeted questions I would ask to assess her health to start building a health history.

The first meeting with any patient is so important to build a good relationship and partnership from the start (Ball et al., 2019).  With this patient being 85 and living alone there will be a lot to consider when interviewing her.  I will need to establish is she is mentally with it, if she has hearing problems, and how much she understands about her health.  Older adults often assume certain problems are just normal parts of aging and not anything to be considered (Ball et al., 2019).  Often, older adults can also experience agism (Garrison-Diehn et al., 2022).  Even in health care settings older adults experience feelings of incompetence and being a burden (Garrison-Diehn et al., 2022).  It will be important to make sure she feels comfortable speaking to me knowing there is no bias or judgement.

The risk assessment I would do for this patient is the functional assessment.  This is an older lady who lives alone.  It will be essential to figure out how well she is able to function on her own.  One of the biggest risks for older patients is falling.  Falling is associated with adverse outcomes that can lead to a patient not being able to live at home anymore along with increased mortality (Snehal et al., 2020).  The functional assessment would give information regarding how well she can move around the house, is she is able to keep a clean environment, how meals are prepared, how she goes to the bathroom, and keeps good hygiene (Ball et al, 2019).  All these issues are going to contribute to her overall health.  It is important to gather this information to determine what assistance, if any, she will need.

An accurate and detailed patient history requires effective communication. Many factors influence a patient’s health or illness, including age, gender, ethnicity, and environmental setting. You must be aware of these factors as an advanced practice nurse and tailor your communication techniques accordingly. This will not only help you establish rapport with your patients, but it will also allow you to gather the information needed to assess their health risks more effectively.

For this Discussion, you will take on the role of a clinician who is for a particular new patient assigned by your Instructor.

Photo Credit: Sam Edwards / Caiaimage / Getty Images

To prepare:

With the information presented in Chapter 1 of Ball et al. in mind, consider the following:

• By Day 1 of this week, you will be assigned a new patient profile by your Instructor for this Discussion. Note: Please see the “Course Announcements” section of the classroom for your new patient profile assignment.
• How would your communication and interview techniques for differ with each patient?
• How might you target your questions for building a health history based on the patient’s social determinants of health?
• What risk assessment instruments would be appropriate to use with each patient, or what questions would you ask each patient to assess his or her health risks?
• Identify any potential health-related risks based upon the patient’s age, gender, ethnicity, or environmental setting that should be taken into consideration.
• Select one of the risk assessment instruments presented in Chapter 1 or Chapter 5 of the Seidel’s Guide to Physical Examination text, or another tool with which you are familiar, related to your selected patient.
• Develop at least five targeted questions you would ask your selected patient to assess his or her health risks and begin building a health history.

By Day 3 of Week 1

Post a summary of the interview and a description of the communication techniques you would use with your assigned patient. Explain why you would use these techniques. Identify the risk assessment instrument you selected, and justify why it would be applicable to the selected patient. Provide at least five targeted questions you would ask the patient.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link, and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

By Day 6 of Week 1

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on 2 different days who selected a different patient than you, using one or more of the following approaches:

• Share additional interview and communication techniques that could be effective with your colleague’s selected patient.
• Suggest additional health-related risks that might be considered.
• Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.

Submission and Grading Information

 

Post by Day 3 of Week 1 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 1

To Participate in this Discussion:

Week 1 Discussion

Also Read:

You are admitting a 19-year old female college student to the hospital for fevers.  Using the patient information provided, choose a culture unfamiliar to you and describe what would be important to remember while you interview this patient. Discuss the health care support systems available in your community for someone of this culture. If no support systems are available in your community, identify a national resource.

Unread

Replies to Stanley Ogbo

 

Child Developmental Assessment

 

16 February 2022.

 

Culture is defined as the way of life of a people. It is also seen as the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group. It is important for nurses to consider the cultural beliefs of their patients while rendering care. The cultural needs of patients should be determined immediately the walk through the door. The nurse should be very observant to check if the patient makes eye contact and communicate well during the interview. It is essential we build a trusting relationship with the patient throughout their hospital stay. The nurse should exercise cultural competency which involves the respect of all beliefs, values, and decision-making power of the patient within a different group cultural group than the nurse.

The Arab American culture

The Arab American has a unique culture, and the nurse should remember that when first treating a patient, they should refrain from any excess eye and physical contact (Attum, Haffiz, Malik, 2020). Maintaining privacy is essential and modesty is important. The family should be included in the treatment planning. This female needs to be seen by female health care providers. It is required in this culture that the patient be assessed by medical professional that are of the same gender as the patient (Falkner, 2018). Respecting the cultural diet is paramount. It is the nurses` responsibility to make the patient feel safe and respected (Falkner, 2018).

Health care support system

The language telephone line should be used for patient during the interview if she feels more comfortable using her preferred language. The language line at the facility where I work has just has video option that the nurse can utilize if the patient gives the consent. Spiritual care should be provided. This because prayer and religion are valued among the Arab Americans (Attum, Haffiz, Malik, 2020). The support system is Arab American Family Services which offer support in the areas of public benefits, immigration, domestic violence, mental health, elderly services, and they sponsor outreach programs to build healthier families and communities (AAFS, 2020)

 

 

References

Arab American Family Services (2020). Support for Arab American Families: About Us. Retrieved from http://arabamericanfamilyservices.org/about-us/

Attum, B., Hafiz, S., Malik, A. (2020). Cultural Competence in the Care of Muslim Patients and Their Families. Retrieved from: htts://www.ncbi.nlm.gov/books/NBK499933/

Falkner, A. (2018). Cultural awareness. In Grand Canyon University Ed.). Health promotion: Health & wellness across the continuum. Retrieved from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs429vn/health-promotion-health-and-wellness-across-the-continuum/v1.1/#/chapter/3