SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT

Spiritual Assessment

[Sherri Barris]

[Grand Canyon University]

[HLT 310V]

[November 14, 2010]Spiritual Assessment

Introduction

Spiritual assessment tools in nursing can be used to evaluate the relationship between spiritual well being and the health or physical well being of a hospitalized patient. By undertaking the spirituality of a patient one can be able to see and decipher the relationship between a patient's health and their spirituality. I immediately thought about this editorial ... nurses must not procrastinate--meeting the spiritual needs of patients will reduce patient suffering (Grant, 2004). Not having been taught spiritual assessment in one's nursing program of studies is not an excuse. Many would disagree that there is no relationship between physical well being and spiritual well being. Due to this fact a spiritual assessment tool in the form of a questionnaire was made.

Utilization of the assessment tool

The spiritual assessment tool was used on a patient who is an African American male who is eighty seven years old. He is a retired Baptist church pastor and he quoted a verse from memory as he answered every question asked in the interview. The pastor had a King James Version bible with him in the interview room but never had to open it.

Summary of the interview

The summary of his response is documented according to the tool. He said the he had only one source where he derives strength and hope. He confessed that his strength and hope came from God. He further stated that he continually depended on God and that he was nothing without him. He was the one who protected and gave him hope. He quoted the bible Isaiah: 40:29 which according to the King James Version says that “He gives power to the faint, and those that have no might he gives strength”

On the second question on issue he said that he prays because he believes that prayer is the key of connecting and communicating with God. It is the only way to converse with God. He reckons that God answers prayers and that is why he prays. He quotes Timothy 1:3 which says “I thank God whom I serve from my forefathers with a pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of you in my prayers night and day”

He said that daily prayer to those in need keeps him strong and enables him to do his work. He also said that his spiritual goals are to always obey Christ and follow his ways. He stated obeying Christ involves keeping his commandments and the rewards of this are being blessed by him. He also said that it is very easy for him to get through health care because I bring a spirit into his home when I visit him.

He said that he has been able to stick to his religion by talking to God through prayers which he makes to God daily. He is strengthened and renewed by Him at all times since he believes that whenever he prays God has always answered him and given him strength to keep going ...