Health Assessment

9/4/23, 10:10 PM Topic: Week 2: Discussion

https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/85632/discussion_topics/760466?module_item_id=2747302 1/3

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This is a graded discussion: 100 points possible
due Sep 6 at 10:59pm

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20×938/GettyLicense_530995167.jpg) 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).

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.

DIVERSITY AND HEALTH ASSESSMENTS

RESOURCES

9/4/23, 10:10 PM Topic: Week 2: Discussion

https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/85632/discussion_topics/760466?module_item_id=2747302 2/3

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?

Post an explanation of the specific socioeconomic, spiritual, lifestyle, and other cultural factors
associated with the patient you were assigned. Explain the issues that you would need to be
sensitive to when interacting with the patient, and why. Provide at least five targeted questions
you would ask the patient to build his or her health history and to assess his or her health risks.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you
will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on
the Reply button to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Post
Reply, you cannot delete or edit your own posts and you cannot post anonymously.
Please check your post carefully before clicking on Post Reply!

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCES (https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/85632/modules/items/2747303)

BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 2

9/4/23, 10:10 PM Topic: Week 2: Discussion

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Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

Respond on or before Day 6 on 2 different days to at least two of your colleagues who were
assigned a different patient than you. Critique your colleague’s targeted questions, and explain
how the patient might interpret these questions. Explain whether any of the questions would apply
to your patient, and why.

BY DAY 6 OF WEEK 2

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