You are encouraged, but not required, to complete at least one iHuman Virtual Patient Encounter attempt before participating in the debriefing.
Include a citation from the weekly lesson in your response and the reference list.
Refer to the section of this weeks lesson to review how to cite Canvas course lessons in APA format.
Answer all questions below with explanations and detail.
Paragraph one: State your current nursing practice setting and describe your experience conducting holistic health assessments in this environment. Discuss the challenges and barriers you face in conducting holistic health assessments. Provide an example of how you can address or overcome these challenges and barriers in your nursing practice.
Paragraph two: Answer the questions based on the first letter of your last name below.
Last Name Question to Answer
A - G How would your holistic assessment differ if a client identified as transgender?
H - Q How would your holistic assessment differ if a client did not speak English?
R - Z How would your holistic assessment differ if a client was adopted?
Paragraph three: Provide an example of something you learned from the simulation and/or this weeks lesson and how you will apply this to your nursing practice. How will your new knowledge of holistic assessments change how you practice nursing?
Posts should meet the following criteria:
Integrate Evidence: Cite evidence from the weekly lesson at least once in weekly posts.
Integrate evidence from the weekly lesson.
Cite and provide a complete reference for the evidence from the weekly lesson.
Engage in Meaningful Dialogue: Engage with peers and/or faculty by asking questions and offering new insights, applications, perspectives, information, or implications for practice.
Respond to a peer and/or faculty post.
Provide additional information or clarification in the reply post.
Add depth to the debriefing.
Communicate Professionally: Communicate professionally on all posts.
Communicate clearly and concisely.
Communicate respectfully, civilly, and caringly.
Communicate with minimal errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation.
Participate: Participate during the assigned week. You are expected to meet the minimum participation requirement described below. You will receive a 10% point deduction in a graded discussion if you do not post at least two (2) times on at least two (2) different days during the assigned week.
Post in the debriefing at least two times.
Post in the debriefing on two different days.
Full Answer Section
Paragraph two:
R - Z
How would your holistic assessment differ if a client was adopted?
If a client was adopted, my holistic assessment would include careful consideration of their unique developmental and emotional needs. I would explore their adoption history, including their age at adoption, their relationship with their birth parents and adoptive family, and any potential trauma associated with adoption. I would assess for potential attachment issues, grief and loss related to their birth family, and any impact on their self-esteem and identity. I would create a safe and non-judgmental space for the client to discuss their adoption experience and address any concerns they may have. I would also explore their cultural identity and any potential impact on their health and well-being.
Paragraph three:
One significant learning from this week's lesson is the importance of considering the impact of social determinants of health on a patient's overall well-being. The lesson emphasized that a holistic assessment must go beyond the immediate medical condition and address the broader social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health outcomes (University of Phoenix, 2024). This knowledge will significantly impact my nursing practice by prompting me to delve deeper into the social and environmental factors that may be affecting my patients' health. For example, I will be more mindful of asking questions about access to healthy food, safe housing, transportation, and social support networks. By addressing these social determinants, I can provide more comprehensive and effective care that addresses the whole person and not just their medical condition.
Sample Answer
Paragraph one:
I currently work as a Registered Nurse in a busy medical-surgical unit at a large community hospital. Conducting holistic health assessments in this environment presents unique challenges. Time constraints, high patient volumes, and the pressure to address immediate medical needs can sometimes overshadow a truly holistic approach. One of the biggest barriers is the inherent focus on the immediate medical problem, often leading to a narrower focus and less attention to the patient's overall well-being. For example, a patient admitted with a heart attack may receive excellent medical care, but a thorough social history and assessment of their support systems may be overlooked. To overcome this, I actively incorporate questions about social determinants of health into my initial assessments, such as access to healthy food, safe housing, and social support networks. I also make a conscious effort to spend extra time with patients to build rapport and understand their individual needs and concerns beyond their immediate medical condition.