Assessment Tool Analysis Paper

Assessment Tool Analysis Paper

Andrea Trihas

Nur 440

July 25, 2011

Joni L. Knapp RNC, MSN

Assessment Tool Analysis Paper

Assessment tools selected were based on how to help the teenage population with the issue of obesity and learning how to maximize their choices in life. As a family member of an obese teenager, lessons learned were many, such as staying away from the negatives and encouraging the positives. By offering a caring environment, listening to the individual population about their feelings and needs, and offering confident and constructive motivators will assist them in reaching the goals they set for themselves.

State selected assessment tools:

The assessment tools selected are: the Eating Inventory assessment tool, the Health Status Questionnaire, the Resiliency Scales for Children and Adolescents - A Profile of Personal Strengths (RSCA), and the Self Determination Scale.

Describe each tool and the population selected and state data about each tool:

The Eating Inventory assessment tool assists to "recognize and treat eating related disorders" (Stunkard & Messick). It assesses "cognitive control of eating, dis-inhibition and hunger" (Stunkard & Messick). It has value in designing treatment programs, evaluating treatment programs for obesity, and explains weight changes in depressed people. The tool comes in an examination kit, which consists of a manual, 25 questionnaires and 25 answer sheets at a cost of $216.25. This tool is geared for adolescents and adults and takes approximately 15 minutes to administer. This tool is easy to administer and relatively short in length, as many adolescents have short attention spans.

The Health Status Questionnaire 2.0 "is an outcomes measurement tool that yields a profile of scores on eight health attributes, an index of health status change, and an indication of risk for the presence of a depressive disorder" (Pearson Assessments). This tool is used in both primary and mental health care settings. It captures both physical and emotional health. It is geared toward adolescents and adults. It can be done online, over the phone or in person. It has 39 multiple choice questions and takes approximately 10-15 minutes. The eight health attributes are: health perception, physical functioning, role limitations/physical health, role limitations/emotional problems, social functioning, mental health, bodily pain, and energy/fatigue. This report is geared to watch a client's progress over time. The cost of the user's guide is $33.50 and the five test booklets are $10.65.

The next assessment tool is the Resiliency Scales for Children & Adolescents - A Profile of Personal Strengths (RSCA). This tool profiles personal strengths and vulnerability in children and teens from the age of nine years. The (RSCA) "measures the personal attribute of the child that is critical for resiliency. The scales are composed of three stand-alone global scales of 20-24 questions each" (Prince-Embury). This tool focuses on the strength of the individual. It identifies individuals who state they have minimal personal resources and indicate children with high vulnerability. It is easy and quick to give. The RSCA comes in a kit that includes a Manual and 25 combination scales booklets for the price of $112.80.

The last assessment is the Self-Determination Scale. The self-determination theory, on which the scale is based, is a "framework for the study of human motivation and personality" (Self Determination Theory). The scale consists of 10 questions and takes approximately 10 minutes, and "was designed to assess individual differences in the extent to which people tend to function in a self-determined way" (Self Determination Theory). The cost of this scale is free if downloaded from the website.

Describe how the tool enhances the assessment of the nursing process and affects the quality of health care delivered by the nurse:

The Eating Inventory assists the nurse to explain weight changes that affect the selected population and assess the behavior that causes those weight changes. In doing so it can help the selected