NURS 6512 Week 1 Discussion: Understanding the Individual

The provider who can build a rapport and earn the trust of a patient will meet less resistance when gathering information for a health history. It is important to look at the whole person, considering factors that could influence the patient’s overall health such as occupation, culture, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (Ball, Dains, Flynn, Solomon, & Stewart,2015). The purpose of this discussion is to identify techniques in building a health history for a 76-year-old Black man, with disabilities that lives in an urban area.

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Factors for Consideration

At 76, even with known disabilities, the patient has probably outlived many in his community as the life expectancy of the American Black male, is just over 72 years of age (Arias, Heron & XU,2016). The African-American patient might not trust health care providers based on a history of isolation and exploitation (Watts, 2003). Until the middle of the last century, health care was often segregated, and those of African heritage were not afforded the same consideration as those of European descent (Watts,2003). The construction of a health history requires the provider to be sensitive to patient feelings and perceptions related to health care. NURS 6512 Week 1 Discussion: Understanding the Individual.

The Assessment

The collection and analysis of information regarding an individual’s current and overall health is a health assessment (Ball, Dains, Flynn, Solomon, & Stewart,2015). The information provided by the individual is subjective (Ball, Dains, Flynn, Solomon, & Stewart,2015). Due to the personal nature of the information, a patient provides it is crucial a practitioner observes and completes a physical examination providing objective data to the health assessment and the completion of the individual’s health history. Physical exams should include inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation of the patient to verify the patients report objectively (Ball, Dains, Flynn, Solomon, & Stewart,2015). A functional assessment helps to provide an understanding of an individual’s ability to perform activities of daily living (Ball, Dains, Flynn, Solomon, & Stewart,2015). A functional assessment is particularly useful in elderly patients and those with documented disabilities. The presence of physical, cognitive and emotional limitations may restrict independence and identify areas where assistance is needed (Ball, Dains, Flynn, Solomon, & Stewart,2015).

Targeted Questions

Asking appropriate questions and avoiding stereotypes is essential to providing care that is tailored to the individual (Ball, Dains, Flynn, Solomon, & Stewart,2015). Questions should be open ended and asked in a manner that is easily understood. Possible targeted questions are: What brought you in to be seen today? What kind of problems have been caused by your illness or condition? Has this illness limited your ability to do things in your home? Have you experienced any falls? Do you have help available if you need it? The questions should be relevant to the patient’s situation, so knowing if they live alone, with family or in a facility affects the types of questions asked.

Conclusion

Providing quality individualized care requires a provider to understand factors outside of the pathophysiology of illness, disease or condition. NURS 6512 Week 1 Discussion A successful interview develops the patient- provider relationship and builds trust. Take the time to listen to your patients, and they will do the same for you. NURS 6512 Week 1 Discussion: Understanding the Individual

References:

Arias E, Heron M, Xu JQ. (2016). United States life tables, 2012. National vital statistics reports;

vol 65 no 8. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics.

Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2015). Seidel’s guide to

physical examination (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby. NURS 6512 Week 1 Discussion

Watts, R., (January 31, 2003). “Race Consciousness and the Health of African

Americans”. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. Vol. 8 No. 1. Retrieved from:

http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/

OJIN/TableofContents/Volume82003/No1Jan2003/RaceandHealth.html NURS 6512 Week 1 Discussion