Initial Questions to Ask Mr. Sykes for Accurate Patient History Assessment

Running head: NURSING
Name of student:
Name of university:
Author note:

1
NURSING
Initial questions to ask Mr. Sykes and the rationales for these questions
The aim of carrying out an accurate patient history assessment is to understand the
underlying factors leading to the presentation of the patient at the healthcare unit. The approach
of undertaking the assessment depends of the condition of the patient and the urgency
demonstrated by the patient presentation (Tagney, 2008). In the present case Mr. Sykes has
presented to the care unit with a multiple symptoms such as explosive watery diarrhea, nausea
and left abdominal pain. It is crucial that the nurse carries out a successful investigation of the
patient condition with the help of certain questions.
Introductory questions-
 Hello Mr. Sykes how are doing? Seems you are in much discomfort.
 Can you please tell me your age and your present address?
 Who do you have as your family members? Have they come with you?
 What do you do for a living?
Rationale- A nurse is the first point of care when a patient presents to the healthcare unit with
varying symptoms. It is therefore crucial that a nurse establishes an effective therapeutic
relationship at the initial stage of conversation so that further care delivery is articulated in an
effective manner (Moorhead, Johnson, Maas & Swanson, 2018).
Questions regarding pain in left abdomen-
 When did you start feeling the pain?
 Have you felt such pain before?
 Which is the exact site of pain and is it radiating to other directions?