FOCUSED ASSESSMENT

Focused Assessment

Focused Assessment

Introduction

Mrs. Roslyn Doyle is suffering from a tear in the medial meniscus. It results from a disturbance of the meniscus (the C-shaped Fibrocartilage pad), found between the “tibial plateaus” and the femoral condyles. This condition can also be found in older adults, it is typically due to degenerative changes (Platzer, 2004). This paper critically discusses the nursing tasks in undertaking an initial 'focused assessment' on admission of Mrs. Doyle. It includes relevant aspects of wellbeing history taking, and physical examination specific to her presenting condition. It also discusses the communication process through which a nurse can communicate to the patient effectively.

Discussion

This nursing assessment will start with the beginning spot of any cure to Mrs. Doyle. The intensity of fact needed must be suitable to the injury harshness and intensity of demanded involvement.

Nursing assessment is a systematic collection of all data and knowledge relevant to the care of patients, their problems, and needs. The initial step of this assessment consists of obtaining a careful and complete history from the Mrs. Doyle. If it is difficult because of complex mental or physical condition of Mrs. Doyle, then nursing history is the suitable option. This history must be taken from those who have knowledge about the Mrs. Doyle, and the reason(s) for her need of medical and nursing care. Obtaining an accurate and comprehensive medical history requires skill of communicating with individuals who are ill, especially those who are reluctant or unable to share important life experiences and medical data with anyone. (Phillips, 2006)

The skilled nurse can easily obtain the essential knowledge despite the resistance from patient. Next step in this assessment is the physical examination of the Mrs. Doyle, in order to determine how the disease has altered her physical and mental status. To do this, it requires that the nurse must be capable of performing visual and tactile inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. The nurse must also have knowledge of what represents the deviation from norm, and how disease and trauma alter the physical and mental condition of a Mrs. Doyle. After the completion of two steps, the nurse is able to establish a proper nursing diagnosis (Wilkin, 2009).

Nursing Responsibilities in Undertaking an Initial 'Focused Assessment'

Nursing assessment is a multi-stage complex process, in which the nurse, client and their family develop a tangible relationship. This relationship is purely subjected to trust, respect and understanding. The assessment can be at the point of admission or part of ongoing nursing care, such as “Pain Assessment”. In all encounters, a nurse through experience will be able to recognise, collect and process useful knowledge. This in turn will inform the care needs of Mrs. Doyle (Roper, 2009).

Nursing Philosophies and Frameworks

To organise knowledge and data, the use of a nursing framework is recommended. First, the nursing process forms the backbone of care delivery and management. Walsh and Yura (2007) proposed that nursing is likened to a problem-solving process in which a partnership between ...