CHAPTER 3/ Pediatric Assessment^33
Health Assessment: Client History
Communication
Communication is important when performing a health assessment. To
provide family-centered care:
The child and family members must be included in the assessment
process because each perspective is needed to gather complete data on
the client’s condition.
Clear speech is necessary with use of regular terms instead of medical
or nursing “jargon” that the child or family may not understand.Culture alertIf English is a second language for the child or family, an inter-
preter may be needed to ensure that the questions asked and responses given
are understood. Communication in the native tongue may be needed for full
understanding of client concerns.Key considerations when communicating during a health assessment include
the following:
By encouraging parents to talk, nurses can identify information that
affects all aspects of the child’s life.
Interviewing parents involves more than just fact gathering; this initial
contact establishes the nature of future contacts and begins development
of a trusting relationship with the nurse.
Begin the interview with an introduction; explain the nurse’s role and the
purpose of the interview to establish a clear nurse to child/parent rela-
tionship.
Treat the child/adolescent and parent as partners equal to the nurse in
the care process.
Use an interview process that is appropriate for the client’s developmental
stage:- Use play with dolls or puppets with children; role playing may ease
the anxiety of the interview process. - Get on eye level with the child and actively engage children through
play and verbal exchange.
Culture alertBe aware of cultural variation in eye contact because direct eye
contact might be considered disrespectful or evil.- Treat adolescents appropriately, neither as children nor adults. Find
time without parents present to allow adolescents to ask questions or
state concerns they may be embarrassed to discuss around parents.
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