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?

BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 2

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.

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Frequent flyers are individuals who have been admitted to the hospital at least four times within a year (Huang et al., 2020, para 7). This pattern can serve as a sign of the patient’s less than ideal mental, social, and physical living conditions.

Reducing health disparities plays a vital role in enhancing patient outcomes and the general health of people from diverse backgrounds. Stubborn health disparities have been a barrier to many communities in accessing the high-quality healthcare they deserve. Often, these disparities are evident among those in lower socioeconomic classes who have limited access to healthcare resources. A study conducted by O’Rourke & McDowell (2018) found that many African Americans encounter healthcare disparities leading to restricted healthcare access, underutilization of healthcare services, subpar quality of care, and inadequate health insurance coverage (para. 3). Another research by Hostetter & Klein (2021) revealed that African Americans are often undertreated for pain in comparison to white patients. Shockingly, half of medical students and residents hold inaccurate beliefs about supposed biological distinctions between Black and white patients, such as assuming that Black patients have a higher pain tolerance (para. 3). These socioeconomic elements and health disparities help explain the concerns of Shawn Billings and his father regarding the adequacy of his medication.

When dealing with patients from diverse backgrounds, it’s crucial to maintain an unbiased approach. In Shawn’s case, factors like race consciousness, educational levels, health literacy, religious beliefs, and family history must be taken into account. When patients feel that they are heard and treated with respect, they are more likely to engage with healthcare resources and participate in their healthcare going forward.

Here are five appropriate questions to ask:

1. What factors or environmental conditions tend to trigger or worsen your migraines?
2. Have you received any previous diagnoses for medical conditions?
3. Could you describe your daily routine?
4. How has your mental health been lately? Have you experienced feelings of depression, anxiety, nervousness, or irritability?
5. Can you tell me about your typical diet?