Health Assessment--The Interview

Question 1

Contract Terms

Answer 1

1. Introduction of oneself and brief role explanation
2. Purpose of interview
3. Time and place of interview and succeeding PE
4. How long it will take
5. Confidentiality
6. Presence of other people
7. Expectations of participation of each person

Question 2

Physical Environment

Answer 2

1. Temperature (room comfortable level)
2. Lighting (sufficient)
3. Reduce Noise (turn off tv, radio, etc.)
4. Remove Distractions
5. Distance 4-5ft
6. Equal status seating

• comfy seating @eye level
• 90^o PT chair can face you or forward
• AVOID standing
• AVOID sitting PT across desk or table

  7. **Face-to-Face** position (hospitalized bed ridden PT

Question 3

External Factors

Answer 3

1. Privacy
2. Refuse Interruptions
3. Physical Environment
4. Dress
5. Note-Taking
6. (EHR) Electronic Health Recording

Question 4

Open-Ended Questions

Answer 4

Open-Ended Questions

• asks for narrative info discussed in general terms

1. open-ended question
2. person answers
3. stop and listen
4. person with short or sentence pauses, then looks at you
5. “Tell me about it” or “Anything else?” or merely look interested

• lean slightly toward PT
• make eye contact
  6. person will tell the story

When:

1. narrative info
2. elicits feelings, opinions, ideas
3. builds and enhances rapport

“Tell me how I can help you”

“What brings you to the hospital?”

“You mentioned _____. Tell me more about that”

Question 5

Closed or Direct Questions

Answer 5

Closed or Direct Questions

• asked for specific information
• “yes” or “no” or forced choice

guidelines:

1. ask only one direct Q at a time (avoid long lists or double-barreled Qs)
2. choose language person understands

when:

1. specific info (facts)
2. any details person left out
3. past health problems or review of systems

Question 6

Responses–Assisting the Narrative

(Verbal responses)

Answer 6

(5) Verbal Responses

1. Facilitation

• encourage PT to say more
• by: listen, eye contact, forward in seat, nodding, “yes, go on”

2. Silence

• golden–after open-ended Qs
• give PT time to (1) think (2) organize wishes to say
• nurse–(1) observes and (2) plan what’s next

3. Reflection

• repeating part of what person has just said
• encourage person to elaborate

4. Empathy

• recognizes a feeling and puts it into words

5. Clarification

• when: person’s word choice is ambiguous or confusing

1. summarize person’s words
2. words make them clearer
3. ask if you are correct

Question 7

10 NEVERS

Answer 7

1. NEVER provide false assurance or reassurance
2. NEVER give unwanted advice
3. NEVER use authority
4. NEVER use avoidance language (be direct)
5. NEVER engage in distancing
6. NEVER use professional jargon
7. NEVER use biased or leading questions
8. NEVER talk too much
9. NEVER interrupt
10. NEVER ask “why” questions