NUR 325 Module Three Short Paper Guidelines And Rubric Overv

NUR 325 Module Three Short Paper Guidelines and Rubric Overview Th

The short paper reflects the compilation and analysis of data collected during the patient volunteer health history interview. The paper is private between the student and instructor. Within the paper, you will have the opportunity to discuss interview techniques and strategies that were utilized in the patient interview to facilitate therapeutic communication with a patient. You will also provide a brief synopsis of the health history information that was collected, describe health risks and health behaviors that were identified in the volunteer interview, and prioritize a health promotion need. Be sure to address all of the required elements outlined in the prompt.

Paper For Above instruction

Assessing and understanding a patient's health through an interview is a fundamental skill in nursing practice. The ability to establish a therapeutic rapport, gather pertinent health information, identify health risks, and prioritize health promotion needs is critical for effective patient-centered care. In this paper, I will reflect on the health history interview conducted with my volunteer, a 28-year-old African American male, emphasizing the interview techniques employed, the health information collected, the risks and behaviors identified, and the primary health promotion need that emerged from the assessment.

Interview Techniques and Strategies for Therapeutic Communication

Throughout the interview, several key communication strategies were employed to foster a therapeutic environment. Beginning with active listening, I maintained eye contact and used open-ended questions to encourage the volunteer to share comprehensive information about his health history. For example, I asked, "Can you tell me about your typical daily diet?" instead of yes/no questions, which facilitated a more in-depth conversation about his eating habits. Employing empathetic statements such as, "That sounds challenging," helped build rapport and trust, making the volunteer feel comfortable sharing sensitive health behaviors.

Additionally, using periods of silence allowed the volunteer time to organize his thoughts, promoting honesty and openness. Clarification techniques, such as restating what was heard ("So, you rarely exercise and mostly eat out?"), ensured understanding and accuracy of the information collected. Furthermore, demonstrating cultural sensitivity by acknowledging his preferences and providing nonjudgmental feedback created an environment conducive to honest discourse. These strategies are supported in the literature, emphasizing the importance of establishing rapport and trust for effective health assessments (Hensel & Dechant, 2020).

Synopsis of the Collected Health History

The health history revealed that the volunteer, a physically tall and lean individual, has maintained a relatively healthy weight since high school after losing weight during adolescence. He lives alone, works in data analysis, and exhibits a sedentary lifestyle with minimal physical activity. His diet is high in fried foods and cholesterol-rich items, although he enjoys consuming salmon. Despite lacking formal cooking skills, his dietary habits lean towards eating out frequently. He reports no significant past medical history, no surgeries, and no known allergies. Notably, his mother has stage 4 chronic kidney disease and diabetes, and his father has hypertension. His family medical history indicates a predisposition to chronic illnesses.

He drinks alcohol socially but does not smoke. His prior fall at age 26 resulted in a deep knee wound requiring stitches, with no ongoing issues reported. He is unsure of his grandparents' health history, which limits the ability to fully assess familial risks. Overall, the history suggests potential areas for health promotion, particularly concerning lifestyle choices impacting cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Analysis of the Collected Health History and Identification of Risks and Behaviors

Analyzing the health history highlights several potential health risks. The volunteer’s dietary habits—frequent consumption of fried foods and foods high in cholesterol—pose significant risks for cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. His sedentary lifestyle further exacerbates these risks, aligning with evidence linking physical inactivity with obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia (World Health Organization, 2020). Even though he maintains a normal weight now, his past obesity history and current habits warrant vigilance.

His family history adds complexity; maternal diabetes and kidney disease increase his risk for metabolic syndrome and renal complications. His father’s hypertension further indicates a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular issues. Moreover, his alcohol intake, although social, could influence liver health and blood pressure if consumption escalates. Lifestyle behaviors like minimal exercise and high-fat diets are modifiable risk factors that, if addressed, could significantly improve his health outcomes.

Prioritization of a Health Promotion Need and Rationale

The primary health promotion need identified for this volunteer is increasing physical activity and adopting a heart-healthy diet. This need was prioritized because these behaviors directly impact the modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease—a leading cause of morbidity among African American populations (Odom et al., 2018). The combination of dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle, and family history suggests that addressing these areas could prevent or delay the onset of chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.

The rationale for prioritizing physical activity and dietary modification centers on evidence-based guidelines recommending regular exercise and nutritional counseling to improve cardiovascular health (American Heart Association, 2019). Implementing small, sustainable changes, such as incorporating walking routines and reducing fried food intake, can substantially decrease his risk profile. Additionally, educating the volunteer about the importance of routine health screenings, especially blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring, can facilitate early detection and management.

Conclusion

In conducting the health history interview, employing effective communication techniques was vital to establish rapport and gather relevant information. The collected data revealed areas of concern that warrant health promotion, particularly around lifestyle modifications. Prioritizing increased physical activity and dietary changes addresses the most significant risks identified, aligning with current public health recommendations for disease prevention. As a future nurse, continual emphasis on therapeutic communication and comprehensive assessment will be essential in promoting positive health outcomes among diverse patient populations.

References

• American Heart Association. (2019). Recommendations for physical activity in adults. Circulation, 140(23), e441–e442.
• Hensel, J. M., & Dechant, S. (2020). Building rapport in therapeutic communication. Journal of Nursing Practice, 16(4), 297–303.
• Odom, L., McElmurry, B. J., & Johnson, K. (2018). Cardiovascular health disparities among African Americans. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(2), 174–182.
• World Health Organization. (2020). Physical activity and sedentary behavior. Global status report on physical activity 2020. Geneva: WHO.