Cystic Fibrosis Community Assessment - Essay Example

 Community Assessment Problem Identification I. Defining the Problem The specific health problem of this community the prevalence of Cystic Fibrosis which has not been given much attention by most health care givers, yet it disrupts the daily activities of the community. The most affected groups in this community are the expectant mothers and the unborn babies who are at risk inheriting the genes. Many people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) have already lost weight. The low weight poses a high risk to the expectant mother and the baby. Others have suffered Gestational Diabetes Mellitus due to the effects of CF. This disease has led to malnutrition of the mother and the fetus. In doing daily activities, the CF has led to incapacitation of most individuals in this community. Since CF causes malnutrition by tampering with the digestion, one may not have the required energy to perform his or duties. These individuals have always experienced weakness and dizziness. Besides, Cystic Fibrosis has resulted into diabetes mellitus which require regular medical check ups. The bacterial infection of the lungs causes frequent coughing. All these effects have rendered the victims incapable of doing certain jobs. Furthermore, the ill individuals are at high risk of injury at work due to the weak nature of the body. This prevalence rate is higher compared to other neighboring communities. As part of the Evidence-based practice, interviews, questionnaires and observations were employed as the main assessment techniques in establishing the prevalence and magnitude of this health problem. II. Demographics of this community a) Sex and Age: This is a heterogeneous community comprising of both males and females in almost equal ratios. Majority of the members are adults and are married. b) Income levels: Most individuals in this community are in the middle class and lower class. Many live within $10 a day. c) Occupations: With a few exceptions of white collar jobs, over 60% of the working class categories do the blue collar jobs. However, most women are merely house-wives. d) Educational levels: Most adults of the age above 50 years have elementary education, especially the women. The youths are quite learned and most are in colleges. e) Ethnic identities: Ethnically, this community is fairly heterogeneous. Half of the population is composed of the Whites. The next lager ethnic is Hispanic Americans. The Asian-Americans are the least. f) Family structures: Most families are nuclear; a few are extended. However, single parent homes consisting of widows and unmarried mothers are very common g) Lifestyle behaviors that influence health status: Poor eating habits by most individuals suffering from Cystic Fibrosis have always worsened their conditions by igniting Diabetes. The youths who engage in drug and substance abuse and unprotected sex also risk serious health problems. h) Health status: The prevalence of Cystic Fibrosis has rendered most people sick i) Health concerns: It is always very hard for the lay community to identify the symptoms of CF, thus, suffer for a quite a long time before diagnosis. III. Community Resources a) Health/social services available to deal with this problem: There are a few health centers in the area that usually offer primary interventions for most patients. Some of these health centers have partnered with the Center for Disease Control so as to help them handle such special cases. b) Usage rates of these health/social community resources: A number of the Cystic Fibrosis patients who identified these facilities usually visit them regularly for check-ups and any time in case of emergency. c) Barriers to utilization of community resources: There are noticeable barriers to the utilization of the community resources. One of the barriers is the lack of awareness by the patients. Some patients are just not informed that these facilities can actually assist them. Other patients believe that a community facility has no capacity of managing any chronic diseases. d) Gaps in community resources/services: There exist minimal disparities in the community services. The services vary greatly with the level. Those with adequate money can access better services than the low income earners. IV. Needs a) Members of the population: The sick members of the community say they need effective and a lasting treatment for their ailment. They complain about many symptoms of an “incurable” disease. They need the government to bring more nurses in the area and build more modern hospitals. Most of them, especially the low income earners, say their treatment cost should be subsidized by the state government. b) Appropriate health care providers: They need modernized equipment for diagnosis and treatment of Cystic Fibrosis. The patients need more awareness on the causes, early signs, and management of CF. V. Data Analysis The subjective data bear the needs and complaints of the people living with Cystic Fibrosis. Their main health concern is the expense of the continuous check-ups and the cost of medicine. Health care providers on the other hand are proposing ways of tackling the problem from its root. They understand that Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease and, therefore, needs a holistic treatment. VI. Plan of Care In planning for care for the CF patients, a number of health care strategies have to be followed. These include support services, emergency phone numbers, medicines, eating plan and exercise plan. These shall help the patients reach health services easily and enhance their longevity. The RN should follow the below care plan that bears primary, secondary and tertiary nursing interventions. Note that regular evaluation should follow by physically visiting the patients and checking on their progress and response to medication. Expected Outcomes: That the CF patients shall: Understand the cause, symptoms and management of Cystic Fibrosis Be able to assess the risk factors that lead to Cystic Fibrosis Incorporate these principles of health education into their lifestyle. Provide relevant and necessary information needed for screening Be able to initiate the health teachings and referrals on Cystic Fibrosis as indicated by the nurse Frequently review all the health practices in the course of the disease management Be able to teach members of their families these principles of health Primary Interventions: Physical Assessment findings (cross where observed): Fatigue Dry cough Yellow-grey mucus (thick) Fever Wheezing and dyspnea Cyanosis Exhaling difficulties, leading to hyperinflation of the lings Barrel-shaped chest Clubbing of the toes and fingers ( for babies) Low weight Distended abdomen Thin legs/arms Atrophy of the buttocks Delayed puberty Secondary Interventions: Laboratory Tests findings (Cross a positive test): Absence of pancreatic enzymes Sputum culture ( presence of P. aeruginosa or H. influenzae) Stool; steatorrhea (loose, sticky and fatty). Analyze the stool for the presence of pancreatic enzymes Very salty sweat, saliva and tears (sweat chloride test. Normal chloride concentration should not exceed 40 mEq/L) Low sperm count Thick cervical mucus IRT test for the new born ( Perform a DNA confirmation test) Tertiary Interventions: X-Ray test Obstructive emphysema (chest X-ray) Meconium ileus ( abdominal X-ray) Literature Review The impacts and effects of Cystic Fibrosis at prenatal Care extend to both the expectant mother and the unborn baby. During the pregnancy, a mother may pass the Cystic Fibrosis gene to the baby. One adverse effect of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is weight loss. The low weight poses a high risk to the expectant mother and the baby. Blockage of the pancreas duct is another effect of CF. This blockage interferes with the production of insulin thus, results to the Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. The secretion of the digestive enzymes from the pancreas is also terminated by CF, leading to a dysfunctional digestive system. This situation causes malnutrition to the mother and the fetus. Shortly after the childbirth, the intestines of the baby may be blocked, a condition known as Meconium ileus (Mayer, 2012). To cope with this condition, one requires constant medical advice and food supplements. For the expectant CF mothers, the supplements of folic acid and vitamin A will be of great help. Above all, these patients need to be well educated on their condition and the management. Reference America Nursing Association, ANA. (2013). Impact of Evidence-Based Practice (18). Retrieved from nursingworld.org/gm-node/4553.aspx Deen P & Mar K. (2013). Cystic Fibrosis Management. Johns Hopkins University Press. Chicago Greg D. (2012). Cystic Fibrosis Screening: A Nursing Care for Children and Adults. Georgetown University. Washington DC. Mayer R. (2012). Cystic Fibrosis: Diagnosis and Treatment. Harvard University Press. Harvard. Read More