NUR/440 Version 3
October 22, 2012
Sheila De Vaugh, APRN, BC
Assessment Tool Analysis Paper
The “American Nurses Association” (2012) website describes the nursing process as assessment, diagnosis, outcomes/planning, implementation, and evaluation. Another important tool is getting to know the patient, to get a full picture of the patient’s physical and mental status. Although there are several assessment tools that can be used, three tools were chosen for the purpose of this paper The Well-Being Picture Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire. Being informed about Watson’s caring theory and applying previous nursing knowledge allows the nurse to use these assessment …show more content…
The patient chooses up to 24 networks and specifies the relationship (spouse, parent, friend etc.), people who provide personal support to the participant. The person involved lists and rates how much affection, affirmation, and aid each network member provides rating each member (0-4) on six functional support questions measuring the three types of support: affect, affirmation, and aid. According to Gigliotti & Samuels, 2011, example questions are as follows. “Affect: How much does this person make you feel liked or loved? Affirmation: How much can you confide in this person? Aid: If you needed to borrow $10, a ride to the doctor, or some other immediate help, how much could this person usually …show more content…
Most studied are women at the child bearing age, but other populations have been studied with fewer results provided. Information on how long the test takes to complete could not be obtained. NSSQ would be beneficial prior to any medical or surgical procedure, during the primary assessment to hospital stay, primary care physicians’ office, and a mental health facility. There have been several studies that have shown that social support can lead to a more positive outcome after a procedure, stroke or myocardial infarction (Gordy, 1996). Watson’s theory on caring is being utilized by the nurse when he her she takes the extra time during assessment phase. The nurse can determine how the patient is doing psychologically and apply this knowledge to the nursing processes to implement a plan of care based on the patient’s physical and psychological needs.
Well-being and social support are essential to providing quality care to the patient. Using the results from the tools discussed and using Watson’s theory will allow the nurse to practice the art of caring, provide compassion, and promote healing while using previous nursing knowledge and implementing care to the best of the nurses ability. According to Peterson (2000), “Through the use of the nursing process, nurses can completely utilize social support to enhance health and promote effective coping for the clients facing uncertainties.”