During nursing assessment, which data represent information concerning health beliefs?

Correct Answer: C. Promotive, preventive, and restorative health practices.

The health-beliefs assessment includes expectations of health care; promotive, preventive, and restorative practices, such as breast self-examination, testicular examination, and seat-belt use; and how the client perceives illness. The basic premise of the health belief assessment is that patients have a right to their cultural beliefs, values, and practices, and that these factors should be understood, respected, and considered when giving culturally competent care.

• Option A: Educational level and financial status represent information associated with role and relationship patterns. Critical thinking skills applied during the nursing process provide a decision-making framework to develop and guide a plan of care for the patient incorporating evidence-based practice concepts. This concept of precision education to tailor care based on an individual’s unique cultural, spiritual, and physical needs, rather than a trial by error, one size fits all approach results in a more favorable outcome.
• Option B: Family role and relationship patterns represent information associated with role and relationship patterns. The nursing assessment includes gathering information concerning the patient’s individual physiological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual needs. It is the first step in the successful evaluation of a patient. Subjective and objective data collection are an integral part of this process.
• Option D: The use of medications provides information about the client’s personal habits. Part of the assessment includes data collection by obtaining vital signs such as temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, and pain level using age or condition-appropriate pain scale. The assessment identifies the current and future care needs of the patient by allowing the formation of a nursing diagnosis. The nurse recognizes normal and abnormal patient physiology and helps prioritize interventions and care.