NURS 6512 week 2 Discussion: Diversity and Health Assessments
CASE STUDY 2
NURS 6512 week 2 Discussion. TJ, a 32-year-old pregnant lesbian, is being seen for an annual physical exam and has been having vaginal discharge. Her pregnancy has been without complication thus far. She has been receiving prenatal care from an obstetrician. She received sperm from a local sperm bank. She is currently taking prenatal vitamins and takes over the counter Tylenol for aches and pains on occasion. She has a strong family history of diabetes. Gravida 1; Para 0; Abortions 0.
May 2012, Alice Randall wrote an article for The New York Times on the cultural factors that encouraged black women to maintain a weight above what is considered healthy. Randall explained—from her observations and her personal experience as a black woman—that many African-American communities and cultures consider women who are overweight to be more beautiful and desirable than women at a healthier weight. As she put it, “Many black women are fat because we want to be” (Randall, 2012).NURS 6512 week 2 Discussion
Randall’s statements sparked a great deal of controversy and debate; however, they emphasize an underlying reality in the healthcare field: different populations, cultures, and groups have diverse beliefs and practices that impact their health. Nurses and healthcare professionals should be aware of this reality and adapt their health assessment techniques and recommendations to accommodate diversity.
In this Discussion, you will consider different socioeconomic, spiritual, lifestyle, and other cultural factors that should be taken into considerations when building a health history for patients with diverse backgrounds. Your Instructor will assign a case study to you for this Discussion. NURS 6512 week 2 Discussion
To prepare:
Reflect on your experiences as a nurse and on the information provided in this week’s Learning Resources on diversity issues in health assessments.
By Day 1 of this week, you will be assigned a case study by your Instructor. 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 the patient assigned to you.
Consider how you would build a health history for the patient. What questions would you ask, and how would you frame them to be sensitive to the patient’s background, lifestyle, and culture? Develop five targeted questions you would ask the patient to build his or her health history and to assess his or her health risks.
Think about the challenges associated with communicating with patients from a variety of specific populations. What strategies can you as a nurse employ to be sensitive to different cultural factors while gathering the pertinent information?
NURS 6512 week 2 Discussion Answer
Diversity and Health Assessment
The process of physical assessment and diagnosis in healthcare is influenced by a multitude of factors. Just as clinical interactions between patients and healthcare providers are unique, diverse socio-economic, lifestyle, and cultural elements can significantly impact the diagnostic process. Cultural competence is the key to integrating knowledge about individuals from varied backgrounds into healthcare policies, standards, practices, and perspectives tailored to specific cultural contexts (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). Therefore, it is essential to approach health assessments with sensitivity and consideration for factors such as a patient’s background, sexual orientation, culture, and beliefs to ensure accurate health assessment and optimal care outcomes. Moreover, formulating specific questions can facilitate the identification of a patient’s health risks. In this discussion, we will focus on the case of TJ, a 32-year-old pregnant lesbian.NURS 6512 week 2 Discussion
Sensitive Issues and Strategies
When establishing TJ’s health history and assessing potential health risks, various dynamics must be considered. It is paramount to approach the process with sensitivity and a commitment to nondiscrimination when addressing questions related to the patient’s social diversity. LGBTQ+ individuals often encounter discrimination, fear, and ignorance, which may impede their access to quality routine care and essential screenings (Everett, Kominiarek, Mollborn, Adkins & Hughes, 2019).NURS 6512 week 2 Discussion
To ensure a comprehensive and effective health assessment for TJ, healthcare providers must create a safe and welcoming environment. This involves employing strategies such as using inclusive language, actively listening to the patient’s concerns, and respecting their privacy and confidentiality. It is essential to acknowledge the unique healthcare needs and potential disparities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the healthcare system. By doing so, healthcare providers can foster trust and open communication, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for patients like TJ. NURS 6512 week 2 Discussion
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Cultural competence in health. https://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/strategies2016/pdfs/08-CulturalCompetence-508.pdf
Everett, B. G., Kominiarek, M. A., Mollborn, S., Adkins, C., & Hughes, T. L. (2019). Sexual orientation disparities in pregnancy and infant outcomes. Medical Care, 57(4), 334-340.
