Health History and Interview Guidelines - It depends on the answer of the

patient.
Planning the Interview and Setting (TP Sa
 Health History
DL)
- A comprehensive record of the
client’s past and current health.  Time
- This is gathered during the initial - When client is physically comfortable
assessment interview. and free from pain.
- Minimal distractions
Purpose of the Health History
 Place
 To document the responses of the - Well-lighted, well-ventilated
client and actual and potential - Free of distractions
concerns. - Place where others cannot overhear or
 To obtain information about the see client
client’s health.  Seating Arrangement
- Client in bed in 45-degree angle to
Focus of the Health History
bed
 Establish rapport (understands each - Initial admission- over-bed table
other) and trusting relationship between
 Client’s response to the health - Standing and looking down at a client
concern as a whole person. can be intimidating
 Interviewing - Eye-level
- Exchange of information between the  Distance
nurse and the client. - Neither too small or too far
- A formal planned interaction used to - 2 to 3 feet (average) during interview
inquire about client’s health problem, - Also varies in ethnicity:
ADL (Activities of Daily Living),  Arab- 8 to 12 inches
past health history, current health  Britain- 24 inches
issues, self-care activities, and  US- 18 inches
wellness activities.  Japan- 36 inches
 Language
Types of Interview - Convert medical terminology into
 Directive common English usage
- Direct and specific - Interpreters/ translators if nurse don’t
- The nurse will be the one who speak the same language or dialect.
controls Phases of Interview
- Limited time to ask because of the
different situations  Introductory
 Non- Directive - Purpose
- The patient is the one who controls - Types of Question
the nurse. - Reason for taking notes
- Confidentiality
- Trust and rapport
  Working  Do not impose your own values on
- Areas of subjective data the client.
- Non-verbal cues  Avoid using personal examples, such
- Nurse-patient collaboration as saying “If I were you.”
- Free-flow or structure  Nonverbally convey respect, concern,
 Summary and Closing interest, and acceptance.
- Summarizes information  Be aware of the client’s and your own
- Validation body language.
Communication During Interview  Be conscious of the client’s and your
own voice inflection, tone, and affect.
 Non-verbal Communication
Special Considerations
- Facial expression
- Appearance  Gerentologic Variations
- Demeanor - Hearing Acuity- speak slowly, face
- Silence the client, position on the better acuity
- Attitude - Feel vulnerable and scared
- Listening - Speak clearly and use straightforward
 Verbal Communication language
- Closed-ended Question (Yes or No) - Ask questions in simple terms
- Open-ended Question (What, When,  Cultural Variations
Why, Where, How)  Emotional Variations (Chapter 2,
- Rephrasing page 13)
- Inferring
- Providing Information (Why, How)
Guidelines of an Effective Interview
 Listen attentively, using all your
senses, and speak slowly and clearly.
 Use language the clients understand,
and clarify points that are not
understood.
 Plan questions to follow a logical
sequence.
 Ask only one question at a time.
Multiple questions limit the client to
one choice and may confuse the
client.
 Acknowledge the client’s right to
look at things the way they appear to
him or her and not the way they
appear to the nurse or someone else.