Script For A 10 Minute Health Assessment Interview With A Nurse – Helen Henderson

Introduction and Patient Information

Nurse: Good morning Miss Helen Henderson. Hope you are doing well. My name is AB and I will be the nurse who will conduct you health assessment. Hope today is fine for you participate in this interview process. [this above statement is stated with an welcoming voice, with a warm smile and through maintaining direct eye contact]

Helen: Hi AB nice to meet you. I am fine but this stress full life is what I want to get rid off. Today I a okay to conduct the interview process so lets start. (Helen smiles but she looks tired). Please call me Helen

Nurse: Okay Helen so lets start with the interview, I won’t take much of your time. If any point of time you feel uncomfortable in answering my question, please feel free to notify me the same and I will change the question and will pause the interview. (communicating slowly in articulate voice and while making direct eye contact with Helen).

Helen: Sure

Nurse: First I would like to know the reason why you have you visited us at General Practitioner Office for the health assessment?

Helen: I just have come to see the registered nurse at the General Practitioner’s office in order to conduct my comprehensive health assessment. I am not very physically active. I also have a stressful lifestyle due to my hectic work schedule. I also have other activities to do while I am at home. This increases my level of stress further. Lately I am noticing that I am feeling tired 24 x 7 and also feeling fatigue while conducting works like activities of daily living. I desperately want to indulge into healthy lifestyle regime by conducting regular physical exercise, eating healthy.

Nurse: Thank you Helen for your reply. We will definitely try to help you out in improving your lifestyle condition. I am happy that you are desperate to improve your lifestyle condition. At times we see patients who are unwilling to follow healthy lifestyle habits in spite of known that their health conditions are poor. Your positive attitude towards health and your eagerness to indulge into healthy lifestyle habits will definitely help you to succeed. I am extremely hopeful for you.

Helen: [smiles with a spark in eyes]. Really. I am happy to know that.

Nurse: Before conducting your detailed health assessment, I will ask you few questions related to you personal details however; please be best assured that we would never ever disclose this details to others in the absence of your consent. However, we need these details in order to frame a person-centred healthcare intervention for you.

Part 1 – General Status Health Assessment

Helen: Okay go ahead

Nurse: Please tell us about your personal life and your religious belief

Helen: I am 43 year known old female. I have no known allergies. I live in Southwood with my wife Janine. I have been married for 6 months. However, we have been partners for 21 years since we first meet in university. I work as chief financial controller. I work in a busy engineering company. My office is located in the city. I have long working hours. At times I have forced to work during the week-ends. I am extremely close to my family members. My work schedule however, does not allow me to spend significant amount to time with my family members. I am always very religious and always attempts to visit mass at the local Catholic Church.

Nurse: Do you feel low while working for long hours?

Helen: Yes I feel very stress and at times I also feel depressed. At times I experience high level of fatigue.

Nurse: I can understand, constant work-pressure at times increases the level of stress. I being a nurse at times also feel stressed and experience fatigue. All you need to do is use self coping skills. We will definitely help you with that. [Communication with an empathetic note]. I would also like to know do you have any reported cases of allergies?

Helen: No I do not have any reported cases of food allergy or drug allergy

Nurse: It is good to hear that you do not I have any allergies. I would be easier for us to frame medication and other dietary regime for you.

Helen: I am pleased to know that

Nurse: Can we proceed with the next portion of the interview? Are ok comfortable with that or you want to take a break?

Helen: No I am fine with that. Please proceed.

Nurse: Thank you for your approval. Form your health assessment it is clear that you are overweight and also have high blood pressure. Please tell me about your lifestyle like what do you eat?

Helen: I try to feed on green vegetables like salads and sushi. But it would be wrong if I say I do not have burgers or chips. I have them once in a while.

Nurse: do you drink alcohol or have smoking habits?

Helen: Me and my wife enjoys 2 to 3 glasses of champagne during the weekends only.

Nurse: What about physical exercise?

Helen: I do not get time for that. My busy work schedule never allows me to indulge into physical exercise. My only exercise is 10 minutes of work to the bus stand while going to office.

Nurse: I think 10 minutes of walk is not enough. What do you think about healthy lifestyle or do you have any health belief?

Helen: Yes I think healthy lifestyle is the one that can help me to recover from stress. That is why I need your help

Nurse: Ok Helen, I will certainly help you.

Helen: Thank you.

Nurse: The first thing that I would like to advice is increase your physical exercise limit. I would request you to conduct 30 minutes of physical activity, daily at mild to moderate level. Conduction of physical activity will help you to reduce your BMI. If you are busy during the day time due to office work, you can conduct physical activity at night. This can be any kind of physical activity like free hand exercise. I would also recommend you to follow a strict yet a constant diet plan throughout the week. And avoid consuming alcohol. It is harmful for your body and also for your heart. You blood pressure is high and thus needs care. Consuming healthy diet that is rich in vegetable will help to reduce your level of stress and fatigue my increasing the level of anti-oxidants in your body. You can have burgers but not more than twice a month. I would recommend you to refer to a dietician who would frame an ideal diet plan for you depending upon your weight, height and gender and age.

Helen: Okay, I will try to follow the same

Nurse: If you experience any problems or hurdle in following this regime, self motivate yourself and you can always come to me and I will always be there for your help. Update me about your progress post a month. Monitor your weight across this month in order to view the outcome. Any loss in weight will help you provide positive motivation.

Helen: Sure

Nurse: It was nice talking with you Helen. Looking forward to see some positive change in you. [Shakes hand and exchange good bye].