Risk assessments are a great tool for creating treatment plans for patients with chronic health problems. In North America, there is a large population of aging adults. More people are living longer with chronic conditions than ever before. It is important for doctors and nurses to consider pre-existing conditions and current overall health before any treatments or prescriptions are offered to a patient.

Family history

Some conditions have genetic links. For example, heart disease, diabetes and cancer may be more likely to occur in individuals who have family members who have suffered from the same conditions. This is particularly true if a patient has a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle who has the condition. 

Patients should be encouraged to ask about their family health history if they are unsure or unable to answer some questions.

Previous health history

It is important for adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AGACNPs) to carefully review a patient’s previous health history. This is especially true if a patient is new to a practice or health system and has limited health records. Older individuals may have fairly extensive health records, but they may lack detail or be hard to obtain if they were recorded before digital records were the normal way of recording information.

Health history questions should include any mental or physical illnesses or conditions. A distinction should be made between patient-provided information and conditions that have been diagnosed by a doctor.

Lifestyle and habits

Personal choices have a lot to do with health and risk levels. AGACNPs should ask patients about their diet and exercise habits. Are they sedentary for a large portion of the day due to their job? Do they eat regular meals, and what do they consist of?

Alcohol and drug use must be addressed. This is a tricky matter because patients who are using any substance at all are likely to say they are using it less or not at all out of fear of judgment or concerns about legal repercussions. AGACNPs should consider asking these questions in a non-judgmental way. Explaining that you are there to help, not complicate matters for them, is a good start. 

Pre-existing conditions

Sometimes, those with chronic health issues have other conditions that are already documented, which can cause them to be at increased risk for other health issues. For example, if a patient has high blood pressure, they are at higher risk for cardiac problems, including strokes and heart attacks.

A complete physical exam and lab work once per year can help diagnose and catch problems before they advance in severity. This allows patients to lead healthier and longer lives while reducing the cost of healthcare over their lifetime.

Preventative care visits may seem like extra trips for people who want to avoid doctor visits, but the truth is that over the years, they prevent extra visits overall since patients stay healthier.

Risk assessments support reasonable and realistic treatment plans

Creating a proper treatment plan means knowing as much as possible about a patient. Risk assessments help determine what factors must be considered to provide the patient with the highest level of care. 

Risk assessments also help to develop an excellent preventative care routine for each patient. When you know that you are at increased risk for specific conditions, preventive health screenings and testing can be tailored to fit your needs.

Risk assessments minimize unsatisfactory treatment results

There are a lot of treatments and medications out there that help many patients, but some treatments are not always suitable for everyone. Medical teams need to know all the risk factors that may apply to a patient before they decide to proceed with something as simple as trying a prescription medication.

Risk assessments may also help determine whether a patient needs to take preventative medications or even have preventive procedures if the risk is serious enough.

Risk assessments support safe surgeries

Surgical procedures can vary in seriousness and recovery time. Patients must be assessed to ensure they are considered healthy enough to do well throughout surgery. Before surgery, a patient is assessed for risk factors related to anesthesia. If there is a high probability of a blood transfusion being needed, then questions and tests will be conducted to make sure a patient is a good candidate for a transfusion.

Knowing all the pre-existing factors will allow the surgical care team to perform their job effectively and ensure patient safety and quality of care.

Adult care nurses help assess older patients

Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners are specialists who help older adults learn to live with chronic conditions. They are responsible for assessing and recommending treatments based on the risk assessments they conduct. Reputable institutions such as Rockhurst University offer an accredited MSN AGACNP program that is designed for working nurses who want to advance their careers and choose an in-demand specialization. 

The program can be completed in as little as six semesters as a full-time student and eight semesters part-time. Clinical placement services are included so you can finish your degree on time and concentrate on gaining practical experience while having a great mentor to guide you.

Conclusion

Risk assessments are important for adult patients battling chronic conditions. It is essential that medical workers take the time to conduct a proper risk assessment every time a patient enters their practice or is diagnosed with a different condition.

AGACNPs are needed to help care for the large population of aging adults living with chronic conditions. Now is a great time for nurses to consider an advanced degree because they have the option of completing coursework online while continuing in their current position as an RN.