Health Assessment

Complete a 250‐word reflection of what you have learned during this topic. Include the following in your reflection:
Think about an experience you’ve encountered when viewing or completing a particular assessment.
Discuss difficulties that could potentially arise or specific questions related to completing this type of assessment.
Include illustrative examples of potential strategies used to overcome the difficulties encountered when completing (the particular) assessment.
Describe how the Christian worldview and compassion for all play a role in this type of assessment.

APA style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

SOLUTION

Health Assessment

At first, I had little knowledge about what health assessment entails and its significance to nursing practice. But after going through the topic, I have now gained a better understanding of the types, techniques, and components of health assessment. Therefore, it is a vital nursing function.

It involves a methodical gathering of data to establish clients’ present and past health status to identify clients’ medical needs, and develop strategies to promote their health (Wilson & Giddens, 2016). During this activity, a nurse can obtain data by observing, examining or interviewing the patient (s). The sources of data include the patient, family members, and medical records.

However, a health assessment activity can be a challenging activity. As I was conducting a health assessment in my home town, I experienced various challenges. One of them includes a lack of cooperation from patients and their families (Wilson & Giddens, 2016). Some of the patients were not willing to respond to some questions regarding their health status. Also, I noticed the issue of low health literacy among the patients.

To address the above difficulties, it is necessary to utilize the following strategies. First, it is essential to educate the patient or the family members about the benefits of health assessment before starting the activity. This will help avoid resistance from the patients or their families (Stevens & Raferty, 2016). Secondly, it is crucial to learn about the cultural values of the patients before assessing them (Stevens & Raferty, 2016). Through this approach, it will be easy to determine the type of questions to ask them and what to avoid during the assessment the enhance compliance.

Christian worldview and compassion can play a critical role in health assessment. A health provider with these values is always concerned about the suffering of their clients or patients (Chambers & Ryder, 2018). Besides, during health assessment, the nurse will take time to respond to patients’ questions, explain tests, and treatment procedures (Rieg, Newbanks & Sprunger, 2018). This will make the patients or clients feel valued as the health care professionals express a sense of concern and empathy during the exercise.

References

Chambers, C., & Ryder, E. (2018). Compassion and caring in nursing. Routledge.

Rieg, L. S., Newbanks, R. S., & Sprunger, R. (2018). Caring from a Christian Worldview: Exploring Nurses’ Source of Caring, Faith Practices, and View of Nursing. Journal of Christian Nursing, 35(3), 168-173.

Stevens, A., & Raferty, J. (2018). Health Care Needs Assessment: The Epidemiologically Based Needs Assessment Review. CRC Press.

Wilson, S. F., & Giddens, J. F. (2016). Health Assessment for Nursing Practice-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.

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