• By Day 1 of this week, you will create a new patient profile (You can Make up your information as needed for History and Physical, findings, vitals and such. New profile is to be madeup*Not Provided to each individual.
• 80 year old white male with angina lives on a farm 80 miles away from a healthcare center (Last Name A through L)
• 21 year old Filipino college student living in a dorm wanting to know what birth control is and what are good options for her (Last Names M through Z).
To prepare:
• Reflect on your experience as an advanced practice nurse and on the information provided in the Week 1 Learning Resources on building a health history and the Week 2 Learning Resources on diversity issues in health assessments.
• By Day 1 of this week, your Instructor will assign a case study for this Assignment. Note: Please see the Course Announcements section of the classroom for your Case Study Assignment.
• Reflect on the specific socioeconomic, spiritual, lifestyle, and other cultural factors related to the health of your assigned patient.
• Consider how you would build a health history for the patient. What questions would you ask? How might you target your questions based on the patient’s social determinants of health? How would you frame the questions to be sensitive to the patient’s background, lifestyle, and culture?
• Identify any potential health-related risks, based on the patient’s age, gender, ethnicity, or environmental setting, which should be taken into consideration.
• What risk assessment instruments would be appropriate to use with this patient?
• What questions would you ask to assess the patient’s health risks?
• Select one (1) risk assessment instrument discussed in the Learning Resources, or another tool with which you are familiar, related to your selected patient.
• Develop five (5) targeted questions you would ask the patient to build their health history and to assess their health risks.
• Think about the challenges associated with communicating with patients from a variety of specific populations. What communication techniques would be most appropriate to use with this patient? What strategies can you as an APRN employ to be sensitive to different cultural factors while gathering the pertinent information?
Essay: Understanding and Addressing Health Risks in Diverse Patient Populations
Introduction
As advanced practice nurses, it is essential to recognize the diverse backgrounds and unique needs of each patient we encounter. In this essay, we will delve into the case studies of an 80-year-old white male with angina living on a remote farm and a 21-year-old Filipino college student exploring birth control options. By understanding their social determinants of health, cultural factors, and specific health risks, we can tailor our approaches to communication and care delivery effectively.
Building a Health History
Case Study 1: 80-Year-Old White Male with Angina
For the elderly white male living on a farm far from healthcare facilities, it is crucial to consider the challenges posed by distance, access to care, and lifestyle factors. When building his health history, targeted questions could focus on his angina symptoms, medication adherence, mobility issues, and psychological well-being. Understanding his socioeconomic status, access to transportation, and support system will be vital in assessing his overall health risks accurately.
Case Study 2: 21-Year-Old Filipino College Student
In the case of the young Filipino college student seeking information on birth control, sensitivity towards her cultural background and beliefs is paramount. Questions regarding her knowledge of contraceptive methods, sexual practices, family planning preferences, and religious influences should be approached with cultural competence. Exploring her access to healthcare services, insurance coverage, and support networks will help identify potential health risks associated with her age and lifestyle.
Risk Assessment and Communication Strategies
To assess health risks effectively, utilizing appropriate risk assessment instruments tailored to each patient is essential. For the elderly male with angina, tools like the Framingham Risk Score or the GRACE Score for acute coronary syndrome could provide valuable insights into cardiovascular risk. On the other hand, the college student may benefit from tools like the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) to evaluate contraceptive needs and pregnancy risks.
When communicating with patients from diverse populations, employing culturally sensitive techniques is crucial. For the elderly male, using clear and simple language, visual aids, and allowing ample time for understanding can enhance communication. With the college student, respecting her privacy, involving family members if needed, and providing information in her preferred language or format can facilitate effective dialogue.
Conclusion
In conclusion,
as advanced practice nurses, our ability to understand and address the unique health risks of diverse patient populations is pivotal in delivering quality care. By building comprehensive health histories, utilizing appropriate risk assessment tools, and employing culturally sensitive communication strategies, we can foster trust, promote health equity, and improve outcomes for all patients under our care.