3.16 Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
- Subjective data refers to information that the client shares with you spontaneously or in response to questions that you ask the client.
- A health history is part of the Assessment phase of the nursing process. It involves using directed, focused interview questions and open-ended questions to obtain information about symptoms and perceptions from the patient regarding their illnesses, functioning, and life processes.
- Objective data is information observed through your senses of hearing, sight, smell, and touch while assessing the patient.
- Nurses must treat all clients with humanity in all aspects of care, regardless of the client’s race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, ability, or any other factor that makes them who they are.
- It is important to conduct a complete subjective health assessment in a culturally safe manner.
- When preparing for the client interview, nurses must follow principles such as creating a quiet location, establishing a welcoming environment, attending to the client’s physical comfort, creating an inclusive space, ensuring a private space, and maintaining professional boundaries.
- A comprehensive health history investigates several areas such as demographic and biological data, reason for seeking health care, current and past medical history, family health history, functional health and activities of daily living, and review of body systems.
