Evaluation Of An Initial Assessment

The assessment process is the back bone to any package of care and it is vital that it is personal and appropriate to the individual concerned. Although studies have found that there is no singular theory or understanding as to what the purpose of assessment is, there are different approaches and forms of assessment carried out in health and social care. These different approaches can sometimes result in different outcomes.

Comprehensive assessments is the most valuable piece which allows Nurse Practitioners to know about the health risks, strengths and needs of their patients. Furthermore, the comprehensive assessment strengths the relationship between the Nurse Practitioners and their patients. From clinician-patients relationship, it helps a complete assessment to answer patients questions which in the long run help to achieve measurable goals and provide quality outcomes to the patients. Nurse Practitioners use comprehensive assessment approach to analyze, interpret, implement and follow up care to ensure their patients receive appropriate care and prevent inappropriate diagnosis. Comprehensive assessment is where the patients are encourage to

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the results of a comprehensive health assessment on a patient of my choosing. This comprehensive assessment included the patient 's complete health history and a head-to-toe physical examination. The complete health history information was obtained by interviewing the patient, who was considered to be a reliable source. Other sources of data, such as medical records, were not available at the time of the interview. Physical examination data was obtained

The head to toe physical assessment is the first step of the nursing process and is a systemic approach of collecting objective (physical) and subjective (mental) data on the patient that will help the nurse formulate nursing diagnoses and plan patient care. It is also used to confirm or question data that was stated in the pt. previous history stated in the charts and to evaluate the effectiveness of the nursing interventions that were carried out on the patient. The main focus of the head-to-toe assessment is to focus on what the patient is currently presenting with; the patient's responses to actual or potential problems.

What is the purpose of initial assessment and what kind of methods could be used? Evaluate these methods with reference to the ways they can help in the overall objective of achieving learning goals. How can you ensure learners are kept motivated and working towards these goals?

Although I had initially feared that I would struggle keeping within the time frame I had set. I managed to keep within it. Also I feel a good therapeutic relationship was being developed throughout the assessment. I provided an internal summary of what had been said during and following the risk assessment. This is important at this stage as the practitioner is ensuring accuracy and showing that they have been attentive in their listening skills thus showing warmth and understanding (Silverman et al, 2006.) An area I feel could be developed is the use of empathy. The use of empathy is one of the building blocks used in building and sustaining a therapeutic relationship. The use of empathy demonstrates to the patient that their thoughts and feelings are a primary concern and empathetic statements are necessary to identify the clients feelings as if they were your own (Rogers, 1957.) Also the use of empathy can help the patient recognise that they have nothing to be ashamed of when dislclaiming personal feelings and statements (Simpson et al,

The reliability of an assessment in a perfect situation should produce the same results if marked by another tutor or if that examiner unknowingly receives the same paper again. If different marks are given the assessment is consequently unreliable and proves that this assessment is subjective.

To assist patients who have a (BMI) of >30 to achieve a weight loss of at least 5%.

After consultation with the client, a healthy diet will be the focus. The client is not overweight, exercises adequately and consistently, and is generally in very good health. The client reports eating ‘junk food’, not eating breakfast, and not getting the recommended daily servings of each food group as endorsed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Prior to moving into an organisation all individuals are assessed as are the care providers to ensure that placements can meet and preferences of the individuals. The organisation conducts independent assessments by a qualified key member of the team to assess the needs and preferences of the individual to ensure that the organisation have the facilities and resources to cater for them. The key areas for assessments for needs and preferences would be:

All work handed in by the learner, they must sign and date and confirm that it is their own work.

Comprehensive assessments are fundamental in high acuity nursing as it allows nurses to establish a baseline for the patient, determine oxygen supply and demand, provide individualized patient care, and make clinical decisions (House-Kokan, 2012). The components of a comprehensive assessment, including a physical assessment, corroborative diagnostic data, and the family issues will be assessed (House-Kokan, 2012).

Assessment is the first part of the nursing process and thus forms the basis of the care plan. The essential requirement of accurate assessment is to view the patients holistically and thus identify their real needs. The general survey of an assessment gives a broad range of impression of the individual.

Assessment is described as”The first stage of the nursing process, in which data about the patient’s health status is collected” (Oxford dictionary of nursing, 2003, p23), following this phase a care plan can be devised.

This subjective assessment forms a series of questions posed to the patient relating to their present condition/problem (Farr 2014a). Important factors that must be taken into consideration prior to treatment, such as patient preferences, contraindications, contributing factors, medication, family medical history, other medical conditions and previous medical investigations, are ascertained during this ‘history-taking’.