Author:
Marilyn Hanser, RN, BSN, MA
The nursing process recognizes five dimensions to human existence: the physical,
emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual dimensions. Part of assessment of
each patient is to specifically analyze each of the dimensions in that patient’s life, make nursing diagnoses based on that assessment, and intervene therapeutically in the situation. The physical dimension is usually assessed by getting a family health history, gathering data from written records, evaluating test results, and gathering information about normal daily routines such as diet, exercise, and substance abuse. It also includes physical examinations, signs, and symptoms. In assessing the emotional dimension, the nurse notes whether the patient’s affect matches the presenting circumstances, what emotional response patterns exist, and how the patient copes with these emotions. The intellectual dimension includes the patient’s perceptions, memory, cognition, communication patterns, and whether one is primarily flexible or rigid in one’s approach to life. To assess the social dimension the nurse observes the client’s self-concept, interpersonal relationships, socialization patterns, pertinent cultural factors, level of independence, and ability to trust others.
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