Chapter 2

• Four Phases of Nursing Interview

  1. Preintroductory: The nurse reviews the medical record before meeting with the client

  2. Introductory: After introducing the nurse to the client, the nurse explains the purpose of the interview to gain rapport and cooperation

  3. Working: The nurse elicits the client’s comments and reasons for seeking care using critical thinking to validate data

  4. Summary/Closing Phase: Nurse summarizes information obtained and discusses possible plans to resolve the client’s problem
• Subjective data consists of

  • Sensations or symptoms
  • Feelings
  • Perceptions
  • Desires
  • Preferences
  • Beliefs
  • Ideas
  • Values
  • Personal information
• Prepared by: Jhoelton Jayruss dela Cruz
• Special Considerations during the Interview

  • Gerontologic variations
  • Cultural variations
  • Emotional variations
• Lifestyle and Health Practices Profile

  • Description of typical day
  • Nutrition and weight management
  • Activity level and exercise
  • Sleep and rest
  • Substance use
  • Self-concept and self-care responsibilities
  • Social activities
  • Relationships
  • Values and belief systems
  • Education and work
  • Stress level and coping styles
  • Environment
• Verbal Communication


  • Includes open-ended questions (how or what), closed-ended questions (when or did), laundry list (describing symptoms), rephrasing (clarifying), well-placed phrases (I agree..), inferring (It seems…- to gather more data), providing information
• Non-verbal Communication


  • Includes appearance, demeanor (poise), facial expression, attitude, silence, listening
• Complete Health History

  1. Health history is an excellent way to begin the assessment process because it provides the foundation for identifying nursing problems and provides a focus for physical examination

  2. For a complete, head to toe physical assessment, a complete health history is required
• Interviewing

  1. Obtaining a valid nursing health history requires professional, interpersonal, and interviewing skills

  2. Two focuses of interview: 1. Establishing rapport and trusting relationship 2. Gathering information on the client’s status
• Eight Sections of Health History

  • Biographical data
  • Reasons for seeking health care
  • History of present health concerns
  • Personal health history
  • Family health history
  • Review of systems (ROS) for current health problems
  • Lifestyle and health practices profile
  • Developmental level
• Communication during the Interview

  • Non-verbal Communication
  • Verbal Communication