Week 7 DQ
Tiffanie McLeod
Aspen University
Health Assessment
Instructor
November 10 2022
Nurses complete physical assessments on a routine basis and they are typically focused assessments. One type of technology that has been utilized in assessment process is the use of a tablet or similar device to take photographs of the findings and send them to the physician who can assess the photograph and give specific instructions to the nurse. Another type of technology that has been used in an assessment is video recording, this recording can be played back at a later time when reviewing it with someone else for communication purposes.
Should no technology be used during the assessment, nurses will make sure they document the findings in the medical record in an accurate and concise manner. The nurse will also ensure if technology is being used during the assessment that they are documenting findings and communicating effectively with one another to get complete information. Nurses can improve their communication by asking for a picture to be taken of specific areas or using a tape measure to accurately record or measure various areas of the patient. This type of technology is more accurate than using your hands to measure certain areas.
In terms of ensuring effective communication during the assessment, nurses need to ensure they are asking questions that open up communication between them and the physician or patient (Kirca & Bademli, 2019). If a nurse is unsure of an assessment finding the patient may not feel comfortable asking questions or the nurse could be unsure if they should verbally convey to the physician that they are uncertain. This is where communication could be delayed or not communicated at all. When nurses are completing assessments, they need to ensure they are asking questions that will get the desired outcome of the assessment.
We can compare nurse assessment to technology in many ways. First, in terms of communicating findings both orally and written format, the type of technology that has been used in assessment process is use technology to take photographs of the findings and send them to a physician or other colleagues. When a nurse is completing assessment they need to ensure they are asking questions that will get the desired outcome of their assessment and not focus on technology as a method to obtain this desired outcome.
In summary, technology can assist in communication and may be used in assessments. When designing the assessment questionnaires, it important to remember that research suggests assessment questionnaires should be brief and concise. The nurse should also ensure they ask questions that makes communication with the physician during assessment effective for both sides. Technology can be used in assessments as well as to complete an assessment.
Reference
Kirca, N., & Bademli, K. (2019). Relationship between communication skills and care behaviours of nurses. Perspectives in psychiatric care, 55(4), 624-631. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12381