Nursing
Introduction
The process involved in health promotion is to enable an effective dissemination of information about certain health problems in order for the people to improve their state of health or increase control over a certain health issue. Identifying the cause of health problem begins with probing, which involves determining the causation of the issue at hand. Difficulty in breathing is an example of a health issue that translates to several health conditions that people are not aware about. The discussion encompasses a short discussion about difficulty in breathing followed by articulation of the data collection process that entails better understanding of the health concern. In addition, the discussion will also explore the importance of collecting data in order to effectively convey significant details about health concern during health promotion. Lastly, the discussion will also provide strategies for health promotion.
Difficulty Breathing
Difficulty in breathing could mean health issues, but the stated health concern is a broad term that can be interpreted as symptoms of a health problem from severe to less serious conditions that can be mitigated through self-medication. Difficulty in breathing is an unpleasant and uncomfortable sensation referred to in medical term as dyspnea (Kohli and Kohli, 2014). Difficulty in breathing occurs if people over exerted themselves in intense physical activity such as long-distance running. On the other hand, the same asymptomatic problem may also occur in the presence of either acute or chronic illness. However, there is only one reason for the difficulty in breathing and that is the body is not getting enough oxygen than normal, therefore, the body responds by breathing faster in order to increase the flow of oxygen in the body particularly in the brain.
Data Collection
When a patient comes in and complaining about breathing difficulty, the situation would normally require the patient to relax or administer oxygen breather. On the other hand, getting to know more about the problem requires collecting of both subjective and objective data. In terms of subjective data, it involves the patient’s feelings and opinions about the complaint, which can be obtained by probing. This involves asking questions such as where and when the problem started, the patient’s activities prior to the problem, and other details that the patient can narratively illustrate in order to get information as to what have caused the situation. On the other hand, objective data can be obtained through clinical and physical examination of the patient. A simple blood pressure reading would indicate presence of hypertension, which could be attributed to the breathing problems. In addition, a survey of the patient’s medical history could also provide clues about the breathing problems. If the conclusive pattern is evident pointing the cause of the problem to certain health condition more data be obtained to prove the assumption through clinical tests (Alano, 2002).
Importance of Collecting Data
Collecting sufficient and accurate data crucial in several aspects of improving the patient’s condition. In addition, the collected data can also provide evidence linking the breathing complaint to health conditions and human activities that are not yet fully explored in the medical field. More importantly, data collection encompasses an opportunity for the nursing practitioner in creating initial assessment of the patient’s conditions, which would also help the physician in determining appropriate treatment. The obtained data is considered as an entry point to the diagnosis procedure. Furthermore, accurate data collected at the onset of the problem provides support for a sound clinical judgment (Dykes and Collins, 2013).
Health Promotion Strategies
It was mentioned earlier that part of the reasons in collecting data given the example complaint as difficulty in breathing is to gather information that can be used in health promotion strategies. Improving patient health through evidence-based practice encompasses a more reliable solution to health issues that the patient’s can mitigate on their own through simple methods. Chronic airflow limitation or COPD, which generally refers to difficulty in breathing may put the patient in danger exacerbated by panic because of the lack of knowledge about properly handling the situation as it occur. To enable the patient to address COPD either when it strikes or as preventive measure, certain health practices can be taught to the patients through seminars or one-on-one advice. For example, if the patient was found to have hypoxemia, one of the promotional strategies to advice the patient is to undergo oxygen therapy. Another example of health promotion strategy is by encouraging the patient to sign up for wellness programs particularly exercise programs that targets to strengthen the respiratory and cardiovascular health (Bourdoff, 2012). Furthermore, encouragement is a simple, yet effective strategy that will help the patient not only to address the difficulty in breathing, but to also eradicate the factors leading to COPD. In today’s health conscious society, wellness programs provide the opportunity for the patient to take initial steps to change their habits and lifestyle.
Conclusion
A patient complaining about breathing difficulties requires immediate attention as the problem entails damaging effect towards the body as a result of depravity of oxygen. However, addressing the patient’s complaint can be done more effectively by through data collection both subjective and objective. More importantly, the results of the data collection are paramount in establishing health promotion strategies that would be beneficial for most patients with COPD.
References
Alano, A. (2002). Basic clinical nursing skills. Lecture, Hawassa University, Ethiopia.
Bourdoff, G. (2012). When breathing is a burden: How to help patients with COPD - American Nurse Today. American Nurse Today. Retrieved 9 June 2016, from https://americannursetoday.com/when-breathing-is-a-burden-how-to-help-patients-with-copd-2/
Dykes, P. & Collins, S. (2013). Building Linkages between Nursing Care and Improved Patient Outcomes: The Role of Health Information Technology. Online Journal Of Issues In Nursing,18(3), Manuscript 4. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/Nursing-Care-and-Improved-Outcomes.html
Kohli, G. & Kohli, A. (2014). Why do I have difficulty breathing?. Journal Of Medical Education Perspectives, 3(1), 12-15. Retrieved from http://www.jmeps.com/article/view/13087/8697
Kohli, G. & Kohli, A. (2014). Why do I have difficulty breathing?. Journal Of Medical Education Perspectives, 3(1), 12-15. Retrieved from http://www.jmeps.com/article/view/13087/8697
