NRS 428 week 2 Assignment Epidemiology Paper
NRS 428 week 2 Assignment; Write a paper (2,000-2,500 words) in which you apply the concepts of epidemiology and nursing research to a communicable disease. Refer to “Communicable Disease Chain,” “Chain of Infection,” and the CDC website for assistance when completing this assignment.
Communicable Disease Selection
Chickenpox
Tuberculosis
Influenza
Mononucleosis
Hepatitis B
HIV
Ebola
Measles
Polio
Influenza
Epidemiology Paper Requirements
Describe the chosen communicable disease, including causes, symptoms, mode of transmission, complications, treatment, and the demographic of interest (mortality, morbidity, incidence, and prevalence). Is this a reportable disease? If so, provide details about reporting time, whom to report to, etc.
Describe the social determinants of health and explain how those factors contribute to the development of this disease.
Discuss the epidemiologic triangle as it relates to the communicable disease you have selected. Include the host factors, agent factors (presence or absence), and environmental factors. Are there any special considerations or notifications for the community, schools, or general population?
Explain the role of the community health nurse (case finding, reporting, data collection, data analysis, and follow-up) and why demographic data are necessary to the health of the community.
Identify at least one national agency or organization that addresses the communicable disease chosen and describe how the organizations contribute to resolving or reducing the impact of disease.
Discuss a global implication of the disease. How is this addressed in other countries or cultures? Is this disease endemic to a particular area? Provide an example.NRS 428 week 2 Assignment
NRS 428 week 2 Assignment Answer
Epidemiology Paper
Nurses play a vital role in understanding and addressing communicable diseases in their communities and among specific population groups (Nathavitharana et al., 2017). Communicable diseases are caused by infectious agents and are transmitted directly or indirectly from one person to another. Nurses are at the forefront of health promotion and communicable disease prevention, guiding patients, communities, and the public in maintaining health and safeguarding against these diseases through the development and implementation of health promotion and disease prevention programs. To effectively combat communicable diseases, nurses must possess comprehensive knowledge of these conditions, including their clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, prevalence, social determinants, the role of community health nurses (CHNs), national organizations addressing the diseases, and the global implications of these conditions. This paper will focus on tuberculosis (TB) and will cover various aspects, including disease description, social determinants of health and their impacts, the epidemiological triad, related national organizations/agencies, and the global implications of the disease.NRS 428 week 2 Assignment
Description of TB
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a life-threatening disease that primarily affects the lungs and is caused by a bacterium known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It spreads from person to person through tiny respiratory droplets released into the air when an infected individual sneezes, spits, or coughs (Mayo Clinic, 2019). TB can be caused by strains that are drug-resistant, requiring active TB patients to undergo treatment with multiple drugs for several months to eliminate the infection and prevent antibiotic resistance. While anyone can harbor TB bacteria, whether an individual becomes ill depends on their immune system’s ability to contain the infection. This distinction results in two forms of the disease: latent (or inactive) TB and active TB. Latent TB occurs when the bacteria remain in an inactive state in the body without causing clinical symptoms. Although latent TB is non-contagious, it can progress to active TB, necessitating timely treatment. Active TB is characterized by noticeable signs and symptoms and is highly contagious. Symptoms include a persistent cough lasting three or more weeks, coughing up blood, unintentional weight loss, chest pain (particularly when coughing or breathing), fatigue, night sweats, fever, loss of appetite, and chills. TB can affect other parts of the body apart from the lungs, such as the kidneys, spine, and brain, leading to additional symptoms like back pain, bloody urine, and neurological issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals at high risk of TB infection should undergo screening for latent TB. High-risk groups include people living with HIV/AIDS, those who inject drugs, individuals in close contact with TB-infected persons, individuals traveling from regions with a high TB prevalence (e.g., Asia), and those residing or working in environments with high TB transmission rates (e.g., nursing homes and correctional facilities). Furthermore, healthcare workers who care for TB patients or individuals at increased risk and children exposed to adults with TB susceptibility should also be screened (CDC, 2019). Immunocompromised individuals, such as those living with HIV/AIDS, severe kidney disease, diabetes, certain cancers, malnutrition, those undergoing cancer treatment, recipients of organ transplants, and individuals using rheumatoid arthritis drugs, are particularly vulnerable to developing active TB (Reid et al., 2019).NRS 428 week 2 Assignment
TB treatment typically involves a longer duration of therapy than most bacterial infections, with medications required for at least 6 to 9 months, contingent upon age, drug resistance potential, overall health, and the site of the infection (CDC, 2016). The primary medications used to treat TB include Isoniazid, Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), Ethambutol (Myambutol), and Pyrazinamide. The choice of drugs and the length of treatment must be carefully determined based on the individual patient’s circumstances. It is crucial to complete the full course of treatment to ensure the disease is fully eradicated and to prevent recurrence. Treatment adherence is critical to prevent the development of drug-resistant TB strains and to safeguard both the individual’s health and public health (WHO, 2022).NRS 428 week 2 Assignment
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Treatment of Tuberculosis. https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/treatment/default.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Testing and Diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB). https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/testing/default.htm
Mayo Clinic. (2019). Tuberculosis (TB). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tuberculosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351250
Nathavitharana, R. R., Bond, P., Dramowski, A., Kotze, K., Lederer, P., & Sotgiu, G. (2017). Agents of Change: The Role of Healthcare Workers in the Prevention of Nosocomial and Occupational Tuberculosis. The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 21(12), 1249–1253.
Reid, M. J., Steenhoff, A. P., Thompson, J., Gabaitiri, L., Cary, M. S., & Steele, K. (2019). Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Pathology-Based Tuberculosis Diagnostic Service in a Resource-Limited Setting: A Retrospective Study. PLOS Medicine, 16(4), e1002797.
World Health Organization. (2022). Tuberculosis. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis
