Assessment Communication Skills
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Assessment of Communication Skills
The patients’ assessment demands an effective communication model that will ensure accurate sharing of information between the practitioner and the patient. This entails cultural competence, respectful language, friendliness, and the creation of a comfortable atmosphere. For instance, in the case study, the patient is of Latin descent, and thus, addressing critical issues such as the existing language barrier is essential. Understanding the patient’s environment, culture, and most importantly, age is vital for effective patient evaluation.
How would your communication and interview techniques for building a health history
Differ with each patient?
Effective communication is a core part of the nursing process and notably in the evaluation of the patients. In the case study, when interviewing the patient, the interview needs to consider the history and social setting of the patient. The communications interview techniques differ with each patient concerning their age, ethnicity, and gender.
How might you target your questions for building a health history based on the patient’s
Assessment Communication Skills
Social determinants of health?
The patient’s evaluation will be based on assessing the social determinants of health based on their setting, ethnic affiliation, gender, and environment to understand the aspect that may impact the patient’s wellbeing. For instance, the question will touch on the patient’s personal life, family, friends, and community. I will be able to understand their views and social functioning.
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?
Here the tools include the assessment tools such as HEADSSS and others based on making a detailed psychological examination. The adolescent needs to be asked questions that border on their lives at home, school, personal lives, and the community. (Oppo et al., 2019). I would ask the patient if they are utilizing drugs or the nature of the health of their friendships to get a generalist comprehension of the patient’s health status.
Identify any potential health-related risks based upon the patient’s age, gender, ethnicity, or environmental setting that should be taken into consideration.
The adolescent is exposed to several risks based on age, ethnicity, and the environment. For instance, the patient may be exposed to drug and substance abuse, as research shows that children from such backgrounds access drugs early. Therefore, the client may already be having pre-existing addictions or influences based on their surroundings.
Select one of the risk assessment instruments presented in Chapter 1 or Chapter 5 of
The Seidel Guide to Physical Examination text, or another tool with which you are
Familiar, related to your selected patient.
The risk assessment tool that will be utilized during this particular evaluation is the HEADSS evaluation toolkit. Under this tool, I will understand home, education, employment, drug and substance abuse, safety and nutrition, suicidality, and aspects of sexual life. (Smith & McGuinness, 2017). This tool will sufficiently offer me the information that is needed in making an informed diagnosis.
Some of the patient’s tailored questions would be primarily structured to understand the patient’s background, self, and environment. The questions are designed in a manner to create a rapport with the patient to make an informed decision.
1. Where do you stay?
2. Who do you stay with? Do you stay with your parents?
3. Do you go to school? If so, what level?
4. Do you have friends? Are you dating?
5. Have you ever taken alcohol or any drug? Ever gotten into any confrontation with law enforcement?
6. What music and sports do you like? Do you play any?
7. What do you think are the areas you are good in? What are your weaknesses?
8. What makes you feel good about yourself?
9. What don’t you like about yourself?
Assessment Communication Skills
References
1. Smith, G. L., & McGuinness, T. M. (2017). Adolescent psychosocial assessment: The
HEEADSSS. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, 55(5), 24 27. Retrieved from doi: http://dx.doi.org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org
2. Oppo, A., Schweiger, M., Ristallo, A., Presti, G., Pergolizzi, F., & Moderato, P. (2019). Mindfulness skills and psychological inflexibility: Two useful tools for a clinical assessment for adolescents with internalizing behaviors. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 28(12), 3569-3580.
Question
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.