Health History | Chapter 5 | Nutrition and Dietetics

Health History – This book covers the entire syllabus of “Nutrition and Dietetics” prescribed by BNMC-for all Diploma in Nursing Science and Midwifery students. We tried to accommodate latest information and topics. This book is examination friendly setup according to the teachers’ lectures and examination’s questions. At the end of the book previous university questions are given. We hope in touch with the book students’ knowledge will be upgraded and flourished. The unique way of presentation may make your reading of the book a pleasurable experience.

 

Health History

Particulars of the patient Name:

  • Age (date of birth):
  • Sex:
  • Address:
  • Source of information

Chief Complaint
Always ask the patient or the parents to describe their concerns, and record their actual words. Starting in an open-ended way may uncover concerns that can be missed if the clinician focuses too early on problem-oriented questions. The age and sex of the patient, as well as the duration of the problem, should be noted when presenting the chief complaint.

History of Present Illness
Indicate the person who provided the history (e.g., patient, parent, or guardian). Provide a clear, concise chronology of important events surrounding the problem when did the problem start, how has it changed over time, and what tests and treatments were performed. Include key negative findings that may contribute to the differential diagnosis.

 

 

Medical History

Prenatal history
Mother’s age and number of pregnancies; length of pregnancy; prenatal care, abnormal bleeding, illness, or exposure to illness; and medications or substances used (alcohol, drugs, tobacco) during pregnancy.
Birth history
Birth weight; duration of labor; mode of delivery, use of induction, anesthesia, or forceps; complications; and Apgar scores, if known.
Neonatal history
Length of stay, location (nursery vs. intensive care); complications such as jaundice, respiratory problems; and feeding history.
Developmental history
Milestones for smiling, rolling over, sitting, standing, speaking, and toilet training; growth landmarks for weight gain and length. If delays are present, determine the approximate age at which the child functions for motor, verbal, and social skills.
Behavioral history

Proceed from less to more sensitive areas. The mnemonic SHADSSS can help structure the interview with an adolescent:

  • School: grades, likes/dislikes, and plans for the future
  • Home: others present and relationship with family
  • Activities: friends and hobbies
  • Depression: emotions, confidants, and suicidal thoughts/acts
  • Substance abuse: exposure or use of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol
  • Sexuality: partners, contraception use, and history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
  • Safety: violence and access to weapons
Immunization historyImmunizations by type and date, dates of recent boosters, and recent tuberculosis testing results.
Past medical historyChildhood illnesses, estimated frequency of infections, and hospitalizations.
Surgical historyProcedures, complications, and dates of each.

 

Family History

  • Ages of parents and siblings
  • Family history of illness – seizures, asthma, cancer, behavior problems, allergies, cardiac disease, unexplained deaths, and lipid disorders
  • Deaths in family – causes of death and age of the-family member at the time of death
  • Social history –  other household members, sleeping arrangements, marital status of the parents, parents’ employment status, and health insurance status.

Summary:
Summarize the key facts that lead to the suspected diagnosis. Review other diagnoses that are in the differential. Outline your plan to complete the workup. Always think through your diagnosis and plan prior to a presentation, even if you are unsure, because this is the way to strengthen diagnostic skills.

 

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Systemic General Health Assessment of a Child

Cardiovascular system:
  • Dyspnea (exertional, orthopnea).
  • Cyanosis
  • Ascites
  • Clubbing
  • Enlarged tender liver.
  • Edema.
  • Respiratory sign – crepitation’s
Respiratory system:
  • Cough
  • Dyspnea
  • Cyanosis
  • Clubbing
  • Wheeze
  • Hemoptysis
  • Sputum
  • Stridor
  • Grunting
Abdomen general examination:
  • Pallor.
  • Wasting
  • Koilonychia
  • Stomatitis, gingivitis.
  • Fetor hepaticas.
  • Jaundice.
  • Clubbing.
Nervous systemMotor function –

  • Tone of muscles
  • Bulk of muscles
  • Muscle strength

Reflexes –

  • Superficial
  • Deep

Sensory function –

  • Position sense
  • Pain
  • Temperature
  • Vibration
  • Tactile sensibility
  • Recognition of size, shape, form, weight and texture of objects.

Mental faculty-

  • Appearance
  • Behavior
  • Emotional state
  • Orientation of place and time
  • Memory
  • Intelligence
  • Speech
Locomotor system:
  • Deformity
  • Any swelling
  • Impaired movement
  • Tenderness – bone, joints, muscle, tendons

 

 

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