MIJA KIRSTEN C.

RIMAY
BSN 2C

NURSING INTERVIEW TO COLLECT SUBJECTIVE DATA FROM THE CLIENT

QUESTIONS FINDINGS
Biographical Data
Name
Gender
Address, phone number
Date and place of birth
Nationality or ethnicity
Marital status
Religious or spiritual practices
Primary and secondary languages spoken, written, and read;
birth language
Educational level
Occupation and working status
Who lives with the client? Identify significant others
Caregivers and support people for the client
Reason for Seeking Health Care
1. What is your major health care or concern?
2. Are you comfortable with seeking care from this
organization? Past experiences good or not?
History of Present Health Concern (use COLDSPA when
appropriate)
1. Character of symptom or condition same?
2. Onset (when did it begin; better? worse?
3. Location (where and does it radiate?)
4. Severity (on scale of 1-10?)
5. Pattern (what makes it better? worse?)
6. Associated factors (other associated symptoms? Effect on
leisure or exercise?)
Past Health History
Problems at birth?
Childhood illnesses?
Immunizations to date?
Acute or chronic adult illnesses (physical, emotional, mental)?
Surgeries?
Pregnancies? Births? Miscarriages? Abortions?
Accidents? Injuries?
Prolonged pain or pain patterns?
Medications
Allergies?
Family Health History
Recall as many genetic relatives as possible (parents,
grandparents, siblings) with age, longevity, chronic illnesses
(ie, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, arthritis,
Alzheimer's).
Review of Systems
Skin, hair, and nails: Skin color, temperature, condition,
excessive sweating, rashes, lesions, balding, dandruff,
condition of nails
Head and neck. Headache, swelling, stiffness of neck. difficulty
swallowing, sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes
Eyes: Vision, eye infections, redness, excessive tearing, halos
around lights, blurring, loss of side vision, moving black
spots/specks in visual fields, flashing lights, double vision, and
eye pain
Ears Hearing, ringing or buzzing, earaches, drainage from ears,
dizziness, exposure to loud noises
Mouth, throat, nose, and sinuses: Condition of teeth and gums,
sore throats; mouth lesions; hoarseness; rhinorrhea; nasal
obstruction; frequent colds; sneezing or itching of eyes, ears,
nose, or throat; nose bleeds, snoring
Thorax and lungs: Difficulty breathing, wheezing, pain,
shortness of breath during routine activity, orthopnea, cough or
sputum, hemoptysis, respiratory infections
Breasts and regional lymphatics: Lumps or discharge from
nipples, dimpling or changes in breast size, swollen or tender
lymph nodes in axilla
Heart and neck vessels: Last blood pressure, ECG tracing or
findings, chest pain or pressure, palpitations, edema
Peripheral vascular: Swelling, or edema, of legs and feet; pain;
cramping; sores on legs; color or texture changes on the legs or
feet
Abdomen: Indigestion, difficulty swallowing, nausea,
vomiting, abdominal pain, gas, jaundice, hernias
Male genitalia: Excessive or painful urination, frequency or
difficulty starting and maintaining urinary stream, leaking of
urine, blood noted in urine, sexual problems, perineal lesions,
penile drainage, pain or swelling in scrotum, difficulty
achieving an erection and/or difficulty ejaculating. Exposure to
sexually transmitted infections
Female genitalia: Sexual problems; sexually transmitted
diseases, voiding problems (e.g., dribbling, incontinence);
reproductive data such as age at menarche, menstruation
(length and regularity of cycle), pregnancies, and type of or
problems with delivery, abortions, pelvic pain, birth control,
menopause (date or year of last menstrual period), and use of
hormone replacement therapy
Anus, rectum, and prostate: Bowel habits, pain with defecation,
hemorrhoids, blood in stool, constipation, diarrhea
Musculoskeletal Swelling, redness, pain, stiffness of joints.
Ability to perform activities of daily living, muscle strength
Neurologic General mood, behavior, depression, anger,
concussions, headaches, loss of strength or sensation,
coordination, difficulty speaking, memory problems, strange
thoughts and/or actions, difficulty learning
Lifestyle and Health Practices Profile
Description of Typical Day
"Please tell me what an average or typical day is for you. Start
with awakening in the morning and continue until bedtime."
Nutrition and Weight Management
• "What do you usually eat during a typical day? Please tell me
the kinds of foods you prefer, how often you eat throughout the
day, and how much you eat."
• "Do you eat out at restaurants frequently?"
• "Do you eat only when hungry? Do you eat because of
boredom, habit, anxiety, depression?"
• "Who buys and prepares the food you eat?" • "Where do you
eat your meals?"
• "How much and what types of fluids do you drink?"
Activity Level and Exercise
• "What is your daily pattern of activity?"
• "Do you follow a regular exercise plan? What types of
exercise do you do?"
• "Are there any reasons why you cannot follow a moderately
strenuous exercise program?"
• "What do you do for leisure and recreation?"
• "Do your leisure and recreational activities include exercise?"
Sleep and Rest
• "Tell me about your sleeping patterns."
• "Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep?"
• "How much sleep do you get each night?"
• "Do you feel rested when you awaken?"
• "Do you nap during the day? How often and for how long?"
• "What do you do to help you fall asleep?"
Substance Use
• "How much beer, wine, or other alcohol do you drink on the
average?"
• "Do you drink coffee or other beverages containing caffeine
(e.g., cola)? If so, how much and how often?"
• "Do you now or have you ever smoked cigarettes or used any
other form of nicotine? How long have you been smoking/did
you smoke? How many packs per week? Tell me about any
efforts to quit."
• "Have you ever taken any medication not prescribed by your
health care provider? If so, when, what type, how much, and
why?"
• "Have you ever used, or do you now use, recreational drugs?
Describe any usage." "Do you take vitamins or herbal
supplements? If so, what?"
Self-Concept and Self-Care Responsibilities
• "What do you see as your talents or special abilities?"
• "How do you feel about yourself? About your appearance?"
• "Can you tell me what activities you do to keep yourself safe,
healthy, or to prevent disease?"
• "Do you practice safe sex?"
• "How do you keep your home safe?"
• "Do you drive safely?"
• "How often do you have medical checkups or screenings?"
• "How often do you see the dentist or have your eyes (vision)
examined?"
Social Activities
• "What do you do for fun and relaxation?"
• "With whom do you socialize most frequently?"
• "Are you involved in any community activities?"
• "How do you feel about your community?"
• "Do you think that you have enough time to socialize?"
• "What do you see as your contribution to society?"
Relationships
• "Who is (are) the most important person(s) in your life?
Describe your relationship with that person."
• "What was it like growing up in your family?" • "What is your
relationship like with your spouse?"
• "What is your relationship like with your children?"
• "Describe any relationships you have with significant others."
• "Do you get along with your in-laws?" "Are you close to your
extended family?"
• "Do you have any pets?"
• "What is your role in your family? Is it an important role?"
• "Are you satisfied with your current sexual relationships?
Have there been any recent changes?"
Values and Belief System
• "What is most important to you in life?"
• "What do you hope to accomplish in your life?"
• "Do you have a religious affiliation? Is this important to you?"
• Is a relationship with God (or another higher power) an
important part of your life?"
• "What gives you strength and hope?"
Education and Work
• "Tell me about your experiences in school or about your
education."
• "Are you satisfied with the level of education you have? Do
you have future educational plans?"
• "What can you tell me about your work? What are your
responsibilities at work?"
• "Do you enjoy your work?"
• "How do you feel about your coworkers?"
• "What kind of stress do you have that is work related? Any
major problems?"
• "Who is the main provider of financial support in your
family?"
• "Does your current income meet your needs?"
Stress Levels and Coping Styles
• "What types of things make you angry?"
• "How you describe your stress level?"
• "How do you manage anger or stress?"
• "What do you see as the greatest stressors in your life?"
• "Where do you usually turn for help in a time of crisis?"
Environment
• "What risks are you aware of in your environment such as in
your home, neighborhood, on the job, or any other activities in
which you participate?"
• "What types of precautions do you take, if any, when playing
contact sports, using harsh chemicals or paint, or operating
machinery?" • "Do you believe you are ever in danger of
becoming a victim of violence? Explain."