Question

Connie Rodrigues, a 47-year-old overweight woman, has gradually increasing dyspnea and mild chest discomfort on exertion, fatigue, and weight gain. She has no children and is not now pregnant. Further history reveals a family history of diabetes.

Answer the following questions about Ms. Rodrigues and diabetes.

1. In addition to questions about her chest discomfort, what other assessment questions should you ask Ms. Rodrigues? Why?

Answer 1

1.Respiratory symptoms are often manifestation of problems that involve other body system. Therefore the patient should be asked if there is a history of additional health problems other than just those involving the respiratory system, the patient with cardiac dysfunction may experience dyspnea as a consequence of heart failure. Other questions include

• What is their history with weight gain and weight loss?
• Are there environmental or genetic factors influencing the weight gain?

By being sensitive when asking specific and leading questions, the nurse can often obtain information that the patient may withhold out of embarrassment or shyness. This information can assist the nurse in understanding an obese patient and provide a basis for intervention.