Health History

Before any nursing plan of care or intervention can be implemented or evaluated, the nurse assesses the individual through the collection of both subjective and objective data. The data collected are used to determine areas of need or problems to be addressed by the nursing care plan. This assignment will focus on collecting subjective assessment data, synthesizing the data, and on identifying health/wellness priorities based on the findings. The purpose of the assignment is two-fold:
• To recognize the interrelationships of subjective data (physiological, psychosocial, cultural/spiritual, and developmental) affecting health and wellness.
• To reflect on the interactive process between self and client when conducting a health assessment. Course Outcomes: This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcomes:
CO1. Explain expected client behaviors while differentiating between normal findings, variations, and abnormalities. (PO1)
CO2. Utilize prior knowledge of theories and principles of nursing and related disciplines to integrate clinical judgment in professional decision-making and implementation of nursing process while obtaining a physical assessment. (PO 4, 8)
CO3. Recognize the influence that developmental stages have on physical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual functioning. (PO 1)
CO4. Utilize effective communication when performing a health assessment. (PO 3)
CO6. Identify teaching/learning needs from the health history of an individual. (PO 2, 3)
CO7. Explore the professional responsibilities involved in conducting a comprehensive health assessment and
providing appropriate documentation. (PO 6, 7)
Due date: Your faculty member will inform you when this assignment is due. The Late Assignment Policy applies to this assignment.
Total points possible: 100 points
Preparing the assignment
The Health History Worksheet can be used to help you organize the Family Medical History information you will obtain from the Adult Participant (document link is on the Assignment page). The use of this tool is optional. There are three parts to this assignment.
1. Health History Assessment (50 points/50%)
Using the following components of a health history assessment and your textbook for explicit details about each category, complete a health assessment/history on an individual of your choice. The person interviewed must be 18 years of age or older and should NOT be a family member or close friend. The purpose of this restriction is to avoid any tendency to anticipate answers or to influence how the questions are answered. Your goal in choosing an interviewee is to simulate the interaction between you and an individual for whom you would provide care. It is important that you inform the person of your assignment and assure him/her that the information obtained will be kept confidential. Please be sure to avoid the use of any identifiers in preparing the assignment. Health History components to be included:
a) Demographics
b) Perception of Health
c) Past Medical History
d) Family Medical History
e) Review of Systems
f) Developmental Considerations
g) Cultural Considerations
h) Psychosocial Considerations
i) Collaborative Resources