HEALTH HISTORY

and INTERVIEW
GUIDELINES

A comprehensive
record of the
client’s past and
current health.

This is gathered
 H h
during the initial ealt
H
istory
assessment interview.
✔ To document the responses of the
client and actual and potential
concerns.

✔ To obtain information about the

client’s health.

FOCUS
Establish rapport and trusting
relationship

Client’s response to the health

concern as a whole person
 client.
A m
for al planned interaction used to inquire about

AD
client’s: health pattern, L, past health history,

w
current health issues, self-care activities, and ellness

activities.

N RV W N
I TE IE I G
PLANNING THE INTERVIEW AND
SETTING (TP SA DL)

TIME
• when client is
physically comfortable
and free from pain •
minimal interruptions
PLACE
• well lighted, well ventilated
• free of distractions
• place where others cannot
overhear or see client
• client in bed- 45 degree angle to
bed
• initial admission- over-bed table
between
• standing and looking down at a
client can be intimidating
• neither too small or too far •
2 to 3 feet during interview •
also varies in ethnicity – 8-12
inches- Arab
– 24 inches- Britain
– 18 inches- US
– 36 inches- Japan
• convert medical terminology
into common English usage •
interpreters/ translators if nurse
don’t speak the same language or
dialect
PHASES OF INTERVIEW

•INTRODUCTORY

•WORKING
 •SUMMARY AND CLOSING

INTRODUCTORY
• Purpose
• Types of question
• Reason for taking notes
• Confidentiality
• Trust and rapport

WORKING
• Areas of subjective data
• Non-verbal cues
• Nurse-patient collaboration • Free-flow or

structure
 SUMMARY/ CLOSING
• Summarizes information
• Validation
COMMUNICATION
DURING THE
INTERVIEW
NON-VERBAL
COMMUNICATION

Facial Expression
Appearance
Demeanor
Silence
Attitude
Listening
VERBAL
COMMUNICATION

Closed-ended
question
Open-ended
question Rephrasing
Inferring
Providing
information
 GUIDELINES OF AN EFFECTIVE

INTERVIEW
Listen attentively, using all your senses, & speak slowly and clearly. Use
language the client understands, and clarify points that are not understood.
Plan questions to follow a logical sequence.
Ask only one question at a time. Multiple questions limit the client to one choice
and may confuse the client.
Acknowledge the client’s right to look at things the way they appear to him or
her and not the way they appear to the nurse or someone else.
Do not impose your own values on the client.
Avoid using personal examples, such as saying, “if I were
you…” Nonverbally convey respect, concern, interest, and
acceptance. Be aware of the client’s and your own body
language.
Be conscious of the client’s and your own voice inflection, tone, and affect.

Guidelines Of An Effective Interview

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
GERENTOLOGIC VARIATIONS
• Hearing acuity speak slowly, face the client, position on the
better acuity
• Feel vulnerable and scared
• Speak clearly and use straightforward language
• Ask questions in simple terms
CULTURAL VARIATIONS
EMOTIONAL VARIATIONS (chapter 2 page 13)

END!☺