How do you assess social determinants of health in watchful care?

• A. Assess only medical symptoms.
• B. Evaluate housing stability, caregiver resources, transportation access, food security, and ability to attend follow-up care.
• C. Assess housing and income but ignore transportation.
• D. Skip assessment of social determinants.

Answer: (B)

Understanding social determinants of health means looking at the conditions in which people live and the resources they have, because these factors shape how easy it is to access care and follow through with recommendations. In watchful care, the best approach goes beyond medical symptoms and includes housing stability, caregiver resources, transportation access, food security, and the ability to attend follow-up care. Each of these determinants can create barriers or facilitators to ongoing monitoring, timely appointments, and adherence to plans, so addressing them helps ensure proactive, continuous care. Other options miss important pieces (like transportation or only focusing on symptoms) or skip this essential assessment altogether, which can leave real barriers unchecked and undermine the care plan.