D222: SMART Goals and Health Promotion Activities Essay

Grace J.
November 11, 2025November 11, 2025
BSN, D222, Western Governors University

Student Name

Western Governors University

D222 Comprehensive Health Assessment

Prof. Name

Date

D222: Comprehensive Health Assessment

D1. Health Promotion Justification

What are the assessment findings that support the chosen health promotion activities?

During the comprehensive health assessment, my patient, Nick, presented as a generally healthy adult with no chronic illnesses or ongoing medication use. He maintains a physically active lifestyle due to the demanding nature of his occupation, which involves substantial physical exertion. Nick expressed a strong motivation to preserve his health as he ages, demonstrating readiness for preventive health interventions.

However, several findings indicated opportunities for health promotion. Nick admitted that he had not seen a dentist in over two years and typically brushes his teeth only once daily in the morning. He explained that after returning from work, fatigue often leads him to fall asleep before performing his nightly dental hygiene routine.

This finding underscores a critical area for health promotion—enhancing oral hygiene practices. Educating Nick about the interconnection between oral and systemic health is essential. Poor oral hygiene can lead not only to cavities and gum disease but also to more severe systemic complications such as endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory infections (Mayo Clinic, 2021). The oral cavity serves as an entry point to both the digestive and respiratory systems, and maintaining its health is vital to overall well-being. Encouraging Nick to adopt a consistent routine of brushing twice daily and flossing once daily would significantly reduce his risk of both oral and systemic diseases.

Additionally, while Nick’s occupation provides physical activity, it does not include structured cardiovascular or strength-training exercises. Research has demonstrated that occupational physical activity may not provide the same protective benefits as intentional, structured exercise (Anderson & Durstine, 2019). Regular exercise plays a fundamental role in preventing chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, incorporating a planned fitness regimen—including aerobic and strength-based activities—can help Nick maintain cardiovascular health, improve endurance, and promote longevity.

Summary of Key Health Findings and Recommendations

Finding	Health Implication	Recommended Health Promotion Activity
Infrequent dental visits and brushing only once daily	Increased risk of gum disease, dental caries, and systemic infections	Improve oral hygiene by brushing and flossing twice daily; schedule regular dental check-ups
Physically active job but lacks structured exercise	May not achieve optimal cardiovascular fitness or long-term health benefits	Introduce regular cardiovascular and strength training exercises

D2. SMART Goals

What are the specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely goals for each health promotion activity?

The following SMART goals were developed collaboratively with Nick to ensure that each health promotion objective is practical, personalized, and sustainable.

Goal Number	Health Promotion Activity	SMART Goal Description
Goal 1	Enhance oral hygiene	Specific (S): I will brush my teeth twice daily and floss once daily to minimize the risk of oral and systemic diseases. Measurable (M): I will brush after breakfast and before bedtime each day. Achievable (A): I will set reminders on my phone at 7:30 AM and 8:30 PM to maintain consistency. Relevant (R): Understanding how oral health impacts overall wellness motivates me to maintain this routine. Timely (T): I will begin with brushing twice daily at least three days a week and progress to a full seven-day routine within one month.
Goal 2	Increase physical activity	Specific (S): I will participate in cardiovascular exercise at least three times a week before work to enhance endurance and heart health. Measurable (M): I will track my sessions, maintaining a target heart rate above 140 bpm for 15–20 minutes per workout. Achievable (A): Starting with three sessions per week is manageable and will prevent fatigue or overexertion. Relevant (R): Morning exercise fits best with my schedule, as I am too tired after work. Timely (T): Each week, I will increase my treadmill time by 10 minutes and add an additional exercise day until I reach 35 minutes per session and five sessions weekly.

References

Anderson, E., & Durstine, J. L. (2019). Physical activity, exercise, and chronic diseases: A brief review. Sports Medicine and Health Science, 1(1), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhs.2019.08.006