For which patient is a focused health history most appropriate?
A) A new patient at the health clinic for an annual examination
B) A patient admitted to the hospital with vomiting and abdominal pain
C) A patient at the health care provider's office for a sport physical
D) A patient discharged 11 months ago who is being readmitted today

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A patient admitted to the hospital with vomiting and abdominal pain benefits from a focused health history that limits data to the immediate problem. A new patient at the health clinic for an annual examination needs a comprehensive history that includes biographic data, reason for seeking care, present health status, past medical history, family history, personal and psychosocial history, and a review of all body. A patient with a specific need, such as a sport physical, needs a history for an episodic assessment. A patient discharged months ago who is being readmitted needs a history for a follow-up assessment that generally focuses on the specific problem or problems that caused the patient to be readmitted.

For Which Patient Is a Focused Health History Most Appropriate