Case Study Undergraduate 2,206 words

Health Assessment Genogram and Physical Examination Case Study

~12 min read
Abstract

This paper presents a full nursing health assessment of a 49-year-old Caucasian female registered nurse. It begins with a three-generation genogram documenting a significant family history of type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's/dementia, and other chronic conditions. The assessment then examines cultural health practices, nutritional intake, biographical data, and a detailed head-to-toe physical examination. Key findings include obesity (BMI 30.23), hypertension (blood pressure 170/115), a history of gestational diabetes, and insufficient physical activity. The paper concludes with three NANDA nursing diagnoses addressing obesity-related cardiovascular risk, diabetes risk, and inadequate physical activity, each accompanied by a client-centered goal and nursing interventions.

📝 How to Write This Type of Paper Writing guide — click to expand
â–Ľ

What makes this paper effective

  • Systematically integrates multiple assessment domains — genogram, nutrition, biographical data, and head-to-toe physical examination — into a coherent clinical picture.
  • Grounds each nursing diagnosis in observable, documented findings from the assessment, making the clinical reasoning transparent and traceable.
  • Connects family history patterns (type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's/dementia) to the patient's current risk profile, demonstrating multi-generational thinking in health assessment.

Key academic technique demonstrated

The paper demonstrates evidence-to-diagnosis reasoning: each NANDA nursing diagnosis is explicitly linked to objective findings (e.g., BMI 30.23, blood pressure 170/115, zero physical activity) and family history, rather than stated in isolation. This technique shows how clinical data drive diagnostic conclusions and intervention planning.

Structure breakdown

The paper opens with a genogram section establishing three generations of family health history, then moves through cultural practices and nutrition, a biographical and functional profile, and a detailed head-to-toe physical examination. It closes with an integrative assessment section that synthesizes all findings into NANDA nursing diagnoses, client-centered goals, and nursing interventions — following the standard nursing process framework.

Genogram and Family Health History

The purpose of this genogram is to carry out a health assessment of the client's health and wellness. The client is a female patient, aged 49, and works as a registered nurse. Her father is deceased and had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at age 60 or older before he died. A genogram was constructed to map the patient's multigenerational health history.

Her mother is still alive and has been diagnosed with high cholesterol. The patient has two living brothers, two sisters, a son, and two daughters. Her son was diagnosed with ADHD during childhood, and one daughter was diagnosed with brain cancer and depression during adolescence.

The maternal grandfather is deceased and had kidney disease at approximately age 60. The maternal grandmother is also deceased and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's/dementia at age 60 or older. The paternal grandfather had an unknown disease at age 60 or older before he died. The paternal grandmother was diagnosed with colon cancer between the ages of 50 and 59 and was also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes; she died at age 60 or older. The patient has a living maternal uncle who has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. She also had a deceased maternal uncle who had been diagnosed with both type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's/dementia. The paternal aunt is still living with no known disease history.

Analysis of the client's health practices reveals that she does not engage in active physical activity. Current guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week for adults; however, the client reports zero physical activity. The client's personal hygiene is excellent — she cleans her hair, clothes, and nails regularly. She does not smoke.

The client's nutritional status is as follows:

Cultural Influences and Nutrition

114% of whole fruits, 109% of vegetables, 80% of refined grains, 55% of protein, and 59% of cheese and milk. In addition, the client consumes excess sugar at 114 g per day, well above the recommended limit of 50 g per day. Her daily intake consists of 5 oz. of grain, 2½ cups of vegetables, 2 cups of fruits, 3 cups of dairy, and 5½ oz. of protein. The risk factor associated with her nutritional status is that she consumes below-recommended amounts of protein, grains, and dairy, placing her at risk for reduced disease resistance by eating below the target daily calorie limit (Jarvis, 2012).

The client is a 49-year-old female, married with three children (two daughters and one son). She is Caucasian, an American citizen, and a registered nurse by profession.

The patient's past medical history indicates she is living with obesity and has a history of hypertension. Although she does not smoke, her vital signs are as follows:

Weight: 160 pounds | Height: 5'1" | Body mass index (BMI): 30.23

Individual Client Profile and Functional Assessment

Vision (Snellen eye chart): Right eye — 20/30; Left eye — 20/40

Respiration: 20, 4:1 | Temperature: 98.2°F | Pain assessment: headache

Blood pressure — Right arm (sitting): 165/110 | Left arm (sitting): 170/115

The patient was also diagnosed with gestational diabetes between the ages of 30 and 39.

The client regularly consumes a biscuit with baking powder and buttermilk totaling approximately 67 calories per day. She also habitually eats snacks such as chocolate, cookies, and vanilla sandwich cookies, reaching approximately 190 calories per day from snacks. She consumes ice cream and chocolate totaling approximately 428 calories per day, as well as milk and a chocolate bar totaling approximately 235 calories per day. The client does not engage in active physical activity, placing her at risk for hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Assessment also indicates a positive interpersonal relationship between the client and her immediate family (Jarvis, 2012).

The client is a 49-year-old Caucasian registered nurse. She weighs 160 pounds, stands 5'1", and has a BMI of 30.23. She has three children, a living mother, and a deceased father. The health assessment reveals a family history of diabetes, as her father was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The patient herself was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and her deceased maternal uncle was also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. There is additionally a family history of Alzheimer's/dementia. The client's lack of physical activity increases her risk for hypertension. Her nutritional profile includes whole fruits, vegetables, refined grains, protein, cheese, and milk; however, her intake of dairy, protein, and grains falls below recommended levels, which may reduce disease resistance (Jarvis, 2012). She also frequently consumes biscuits, buttermilk, baking powder, cookies, chocolate, vanilla sandwich cookies, ice cream, and milk.

3 Locked Sections · 960 words remaining
Sign up to read these 3 sections

Physical Examination Findings · 710 words

"Head-to-toe physical examination results across all body systems"

Assessment and Nursing Diagnoses · 190 words

"Integrated findings with NANDA diagnoses, goals, and interventions"

References · 60 words

"APA-formatted source citations"

You’re 31% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 3 sections.

Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log in
130,000+ paper examples AI writing assistant Citation generator Cancel anytime
Key Concepts in This Paper
Genogram NANDA Diagnoses Obesity Hypertension Type 2 Diabetes Physical Examination Nutritional Assessment Family Health History Health Promotion Gestational Diabetes
Cite This Paper
PaperDue. (2026). Health Assessment Genogram and Physical Examination Case Study. PaperDue. https://www.paperdue.com/study-guide/health-assessment-genogram-physical-examination-2156509

Always verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.