NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
Developing or building an accurate and detailed patient history is a cornerstone of initiating an appropriate plan of care for any patient and is a skill that is essential for the APRN. In this way, we get to know our patient’s, their past concerns and issues, and how past problems impact current functioning. A complete health history is also necessary when collaborating with other healthcare clinicians or when there is a transfer of care. Factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, and living environment all should be considered since they greatly impact a patient’s health status. When interviewing a patient, whether it is a first encounter or follow-up care, communication, interviewing techniques, and other tools are necessary to ensure that the necessary information is gathered and understood to meet the needs of the patient. For the purpose of this discussion, the patient in question is a 14 year old biracial male living with his grandmother in a high-density public housing complex.
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Whenever meeting with any patient, I prefer to use a method called AIDET which is as follows: Acknowledge and greet the patient by name, make eye contact, smile, and include any others who are present; Introduce yourself, your position, and background or experience; the Duration that the interview and exams will take; Explain what steps are next and what the patient can expect from the visit; and lastly, Thank the patient and any family or friends for their time and consideration (Studer Group, 2020).. These steps can be completely in a few sentences, take less than five minutes, and can provide reassurance to nervous patients who don’t know what to expect. NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
While AIDET is an appropriate tool that can be used for most patient and situations, other communication and interview techniques may differ depending on the specific patient. For example, since this patient is an adolescent, I would first let him and his grandmother know that I will be speaking with them together and privately. While the grandmother may be necessary for background information, especially when the boy was younger, most adolescents are able to give an accurate health history and may speak more freely without the guardian if they are given the opportunity. However, adolescents may have difficulty choosing their words or may feel embarrassed so they should be given time to express themselves without confrontation, to which they do not respond well (Bell, Dains, Flynn, Solomon, & Stewart, 2019). In addition, there are specific topics that should be discussed with patients and their caregivers which are age-appropriate and referred to as anticipatory guidance (Sullivan, 2019). For example, topics to focus on for patients aged 10 to 14 years include safety issues, nutrition, dental hygiene, peer pressure, puberty, safe sex/contraception/STD prevention, safety rules with adults, communication, screen time, self-control, depression/anxiety, tobacco/alcohol/substance use, educational goals and activities, and after school activities, and supervision. NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
When interviewing any patient, social determinants of health should be considered and questions should be targeted towards identified areas of concern. Social determinants of health are socioecological factors such as gender, religion, ethnicity/race, sexual orientation, mental health, geographical location, education, income, employment, disabilities. Discrimination related to these factors cause disparities that negatively impact health and outcomes (Tebb, Pica, Twietmeyer, Diaz, & Brindis, 2018). Questions for this particular patient would be aimed towards factors such as his biracial status, being reared by a grandparent, and highly crowded public housing. Specific issues related to diseases in overcrowded environments such as tuberculosis should be assessed. I would also carefully monitor growth, milestones, and dietary habits since many individuals in urbanized areas live in food deserts without ready access to fresh, healthy, unprocessed foods. NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
When assessing a patient’s risk factors, especially once disparities in social determinants of health are identified, it is helpful to have a specific screening tool tailored to the demographic in question. For example, studies show that adolescents tend to have more social risks than medical ones. Therefore, tools such as The Guidelines for Adolescent Preventative Services (GAPS) was developed that targets primary and secondary interventions to prevent adolescent morbidity and mortality by improving health-care delivery (Sullivan, 2019). Risk taking behaviors in teens are identified, such as smoking, drinking, or unprotected sex, by 24 topics that examine health guidance, screening, immunizations, and health-care delivery. Another tool that was developed to assess drug and alcohol use in adolescents is the CRAFFT Questionnaire. CRAFFT refers to car, relax, alone, forget, friends, and trouble (Ball et al., 2019).
As mentioned above, adolescents tend to have more social risks than medical ones. Therefore, an assessment tool such as the HEEADSSS is helpful in obtaining an accurate psychosocial history for this age group. The acronym HEEADSSS stands for home, education/employment, eating, activities, drugs, sexuality, suicide/depression, and safety and encompasses many of the same social determinants (Sullivan, 2019).
Five specific questions targeted towards my patient to assess his health risks and build his health history are as follows: 1) Do you know anyone who has committed suicide? While suicide can be an uncomfortable subject, it is a common cause or mortality in teens, particularly in males, and should be assessed (Bell et al., 2019). This is a non-threatening question that may open the conversation and lets the teen know that this is a safe topic; 2) Are you sexually active? Adolescence is a time for experimenting and risk-taking behaviors. Children are becoming sexually active at younger ages and should be educated regarding safe sex, contraception, and disease prevention; 3) Do you safe at home? This question is a great open-ended question that can start the conversation and lead to a variety of safety-related issues. For example, does the boy feel safe with his grandmother? Answers to the contrary could indicate abuse or neglect. Maybe he does not feel safe in his living environment due to crowding in a public housing complex; 4) Tell me what you had for breakfast this morning? This question not only assesses the patient’s memory recall, but also may give an indication of nutrition and dietary habits; 5) Is there anything we have not talked about that you think I should know? Oftentimes the patient, especially ones who are young, may expect the clinician to guide the interview and answer questions that are posed. They may be more reluctant to initiate their own topics or concerns and this gives them to opportunity to have the floor to ask or discuss anything in a safe place.
References
Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2019). Seidel’s guide to physical examination: An interprofessional approach (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
Studer Group. (2020). AIDET patient communication. Retrieved from https://www.studergroup.com/aidet#:~:text=The%20acronym%20AIDET%C2%AE%20stands,%2C%20Explanation%2C%20and%20Thank%20You.
Sullivan, D. D. (2019). Guide to clinical documentation (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis.
Tebb, K.P., Pica, G., Twietmeyer, L., Diaz, A., & Brindis, C.D. (2018). Innovative approaches to address social determinants of health among adolescents and young adults. Health Equity, 2(1), 321-328. doi: 10.1089/heq.2018.0011.
Week 1: Building a Comprehensive Health History
According to a 2011 Gallup poll, nurses are ranked as the most trusted professionals in the United States. One of the most admired nursing skills is the ability to put patients at ease. When patients enter into a healthcare setting, they are often apprehensive about sharing personal health information. Caring nurses can alleviate the hesitance of patients and encourage them to be forthcoming with this information. NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
The initial health history interview can be an excellent opportunity to develop supportive relationships between patients and nurses. Nurses may employ a variety of communication skills and interview techniques to foster strong bonds with patients and to effectively facilitate the diagnostic process. In conducting interviews, advanced practice nurses must also take into account a range of patient-specific factors that may impact the questions they ask, how they ask those questions, and their complete assessment of the patient’s health.
This week, you will consider how social determinants of health such as age, gender, ethnicity, and environmental situation impact the health and risk assessment of the patients you serve. You will also consider how social determinants of health influence your interview and communication techniques as you work in partnership with a patient to gather data to build an accurate health history.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
Analyze communication techniques used to obtain patients’ health histories based upon social determinants of health
Analyze health-related risk
Apply concepts, theories, and principles related to patient interviewing, diagnostic reasoning, and recording patient information
Learning Resources
Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)
Required Media (click to expand/reduce)
Discussion: Building a Health History
Effective communication is vital to constructing an accurate and detailed patient history. A patient’s health or illness is influenced by many factors, including age, gender, ethnicity, and environmental setting. As an advanced practice nurse, you must be aware of these factors and tailor your communication techniques accordingly. Doing so will not only help you establish rapport with your patients, but it will also enable you to more effectively gather the information needed to assess your patients’ health risks.
For this Discussion, you will take on the role of a clinician who is building a health history for a particular new patient assigned by your Instructor.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Caiaimage
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 building a health history differ with each patient?
How might you target your questions for building a health history based on the patient’s social determinants of health? NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
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
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 1 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 of Week 1 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 1
To Participate in this Discussion:
Week 1 Discussion
What’s Coming Up in Module 2?
In Module 2, you explore the impact of functional assessments, diversity, and sensitivity in conducting health assessments. You also examine various assessment tools and diagnostic tests used to gather information about patients’ conditions and examine their validity, reliability, and impact in conducting health assessments.
Next week, you will specifically examine functional assessments as they relate to diversity and sensitivity
Registration for Shadow Health
Throughout this course, you will participate in digital clinical experiences using the online simulation tool Shadow Health. The Shadow Health digital clinical experience provides a dynamic, immersive experience designed to improve nursing skills and clinical reasoning through the examination of digital standardized patients. Using Shadow Health you will participate in health histories, focused exams, and a comprehensive assessment. NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
There will be four Shadow Health assessment components that you will need to complete in Module’s 2 and 3:
Health History Assessment (Week 3 & 4)
Focused Exam: Cough (Week 5) for a pediatric patient presenting with cough
Focused Exam: Chest Pain (Week 7) for an adult patient presenting with chest pain
Comprehensive (Head-to-Toe) Physical Assessment (Week 9)
Before you can participate in these simulations, you will need to register for a Shadow Health account. To do this:
Go to the Walden Bookstore and purchase access to Shadow Health and the required texts.
Once Shadow Health has been purchased, an access code will be emailed to you from the bookstore.
Review this video explaining how to register in Shadow Health: https://vimeo.com/275921826/c12d50ee6e
Use the Shadow Health link located in the navigation menu on the left in the Blackboard course.
Follow the prompts to register in Shadow Health. You will need the access code provided from the bookstore to register. Once registered, Shadow Health should always be accessed via the link in Blackboard.
Use only Google Chrome when accessing Shadow Health and make sure all other programs are turned off on your computer. Other browsers do not work well and will not allow the Shadow Health speech to text function to work. NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
Once registered, complete the Shadow Health Orientation in the Shadow Health website/program and review the videos designed to assist with navigating and completing assignments.
Read the Shadow Health Nursing Documentation Tutorial located in the Week 1 Learning Resources.
Note: As nurses you typically use the word assessment to mean completing the physical exam. However, in the SOAP Note format, assessment means diagnosis so start getting in the habit of calling the physical exam exactly that. NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
Week 2 Case Studies
In Week 2, your Instructor will assign you a case study related to your Discussion by Day 1 of the week. Please make sure to review the “Course Announcements” area of the course to verify your assigned case study. Please plan ahead to ensure you have time to review your case study and your Learning Resources so that you can complete your Discussions and Assignments on time. NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
Practicum – Upcoming Deadline
In the Nurse Practitioner programs of study (FNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, and PMHNP) you are required to take several practicum courses. If you plan on taking a practicum course within the next two terms, you will need to submit your application via Meditrek .
For information on the practicum application process and deadlines, please visit the Field Experience: College of Nursing: Application Process – Graduate web page.
Please take the time to review the Appropriate Preceptors and Field Sites for your courses.
Please take the time to review the practicum manuals, FAQs, Webinars and any required forms on the Field Experience: College of Nursing: Student Resources and Manuals web page.
Field Experience: College of Nursing Quick Answers
Field Experience: MSN Nurse Practitioner Practicum Manual
Student Practicum Resources: NP Student Orientation
NURS_6512_Week_1_Discussion_Rubric
Grid View
List View
Excellent Good Fair Poor
Main Posting
Points Range: 45 (45%) – 50 (50%)
“Answers all parts of the Discussion question(s) with reflective critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources. Supported by at least three current, credible sources. Written clearly and concisely with no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.
Points Range: 40 (40%) – 44 (44%)
“Responds to the Discussion question(s) and is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. At least 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth. Supported by at least three credible sources. Written clearly and concisely with one or no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.
NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
Points Range: 35 (35%) – 39 (39%)
“Responds to some of the Discussion question(s). One or two criteria are not addressed or are superficially addressed. Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Post is cited with two credible sources. Written somewhat concisely; may contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Contains some APA formatting errors.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 34 (34%)
“Does not respond to the Discussion question(s) adequately. Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria. Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Contains only one or no credible sources. Not written clearly or concisely. Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style.
Main Post: Timeliness
Points Range: 10 (10%) – 10 (10%)
Posts main post by Day 3.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
N/A
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
N/A
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not post main post by Day 3.
First Response
Points Range: 17 (17%) – 18 (18%)
“Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources. Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of Learning Objectives. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.
Points Range: 15 (15%) – 16 (16%)
“Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.
Points Range: 13 (13%) – 14 (14%)
“Response is on topic and may have some depth. Responses posted in the Discussion may lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 12 (12%)
“Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. Responses posted in the Discussion lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited.
NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
Second Response
Points Range: 16 (16%) – 17 (17%)
“Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources. Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of Learning Objectives. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.
Points Range: 14 (14%) – 15 (15%)
“Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.
Points Range: 12 (12%) – 13 (13%)
“Response is on topic and may have some depth. Responses posted in the Discussion may lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 11 (11%)
“Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. Responses posted in the Discussion lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited.
NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
Participation
Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Meets requirements for participation by posting on three different days.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
N/A
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
N/A
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not meet requirements for participation by posting on three different days.
Total Points: 100
Name: NURS_6512_Week_1_Discussion_Rubric
My patient is a 40-year-old black male who is a recent immigrant from Africa. He currently does not have any medical insurance. Ball et. al. (2019) mentions how the practitioner should create an environment during the examination that promotes comfort and a connection with the patient. Since the patient is from another country, he might not be to familiar with how the process works in America. I am sure he has many barriers in his mind about seeking out health care. It is the responsibility of the practitioner to try to make the patient at ease in the interview and ask questions that get the best information from the patient’s medical history. NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
I would start by asking the patient open-ended questions. Ball et. al. talks about many ways to ask such questions. A question I would start with is, ‘How can I help you today?’ I think this is a strong starting point for this patient. It gives enough room with the patient to start speaking about that on his mind. Since the patient has no insurance, he might have questions to how he is going to pay for this visit. Sebastia et. al. (2016) talks about how immigrants that come to another country from a different country can have social and economic disparities. Related to this. I will ask the patient if they have any questions about finical assistance programs. Another point to ask is how does his current finical situation effect his willingness to seek medical help in the future. NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
In Africa, there is a major problem with HIV infections. Belachew et. al. (2020) discusses how a large potion of infants with HIV can be found in East Africa. I would use the five Ps of sexual history mentioned by Ball et. al. (2020). It is important to see if the patient might have been in contact with a HIV positive individual. One of the questions include how many sexually partners the patient as had. Another question is if the patient used protection. during the sexual encounters. Its is important to establish is safe zone with the patient before hand so he is ok with talking about the subject. NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
References:
Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2019). Seidel’s guide to physical examination: An interprofessional approach (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
Sebastià Sarasa, Lara Navarro-Varas, & Sergio Porcel. (2016). Social Class and Material Deprivation in Immigrants from Poor Countries Residing in Catalonia. Revista Española de Investigaciones Sociológicas (REIS) , 1 (156), 117–140.
Belachew, A., Tewabe, T., & Malede, G. A. (2020). Prevalence of vertical HIV infection and its risk factors among HIV exposed infants in East Africa: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Tropical Medicine & Health, 48, 1–11. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1186/s41182-020-00273-0 NURS 6512 week 1 Discussion: Building a Health History
