Instructions:

1. Please answer all the following questions: 

Community to be used (Miami or Fort-lauderdale Florida)

 

Instructions:

1. Please answer all the following questions: 
   • What facilities are available for the homeless in your community? How do people access these resources?
   • What is the demographic make-up of the homeless population in your community? Primarily male or female? Family? Ethnic group?
   • What is your risk of becoming homeless? What resources would you draw on if tomorrow you woke up with no job and no housing?
   • What physical illnesses or disorders are specific to homeless people in your area? What are the greatest risks?

• Please answer all questions in a discussion APA Format including references.

 In a perfect world, research studies would be flawless however, that is not typically the case.  Inherently, flaws exist related to study design, how the study is conducted, and also the manner in which research is reported.  “Given that research is not perfect, users of research must learn to carefully evaluate research reports to determine their worth to practice through critical appraisal” (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2015, p. 92-93).  Factors that need to be assessed when critically appraising quantitative studies include validity, reliability and applicability (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2015).  

       The validity of a study relates to obtaining results from utilizing sound methods which are scientific.  Bias and confounding variables can compromise validity of a study.  Bias can occur at any stage of the process but while assessing the reliability of the results one must look at if the study was systematic, grounded in theory, and criteria was followed for all of the processes.  If so, then the study, more than likely, is valid and reliable.  Clinicians need the ability to interpret the results so they can implement EBP into their practice (LoBiondo-Wood & Haber, 2014).  “Whether we are interpreting the research studies of others, or designing our own, we need a good understanding of research design and an ability to recognize weaknesses in intervention studies which may reduce the reliability of study findings” (Ebbels, 2017, p. 229).      Although each factor is important to quality research, I feel the most important factor is the applicability to practice.  Having the ability to appraise research, which is evidence-based, and implement EBP interventions with our patients is essential in promoting optimal patient outcomes.   

References

Ebbels, S. H. (2017). Intervention research:  Appraising study designs, interpreting findings and creating research in clinical practice. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 19(3), 218-231. https://doi.org/https://doi-org.arbor.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/17549507.2016.1276215

LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2014). Nursing research:  Methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.

Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2015). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare:  A guide to best practice (3rd ed.). Retrieved from Amazon Kindle App

The most common sexually transmitted infection is human papillomavirus (Boda et al., 2018). There are over 150 known strains of human papilloma virus (HPV), with approximately 40 known strains that can be passed through sexual activity (Markowitz et al., 2014). HPV has been associated with cervical cancer, penile cancer, anogenital cancer, vulvovaginal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, and genital warts in both males and female (Markowitz et al., 2014). Studies have shown that women are two times more likely to develop HPV infection than men, with the highest risk of acquiring HPV after becoming sexually active (Boda et al., 2018). More than half of new HPV infections occur in individuals 15 to 24 years of age (Markowitz et al., 2014).

It is estimated that the majority of sexually active individuals contract at least one strain of HPV in their lifetime (Boda et al., 2018). Fortunately, approximately 90% of HPV infections are cleared by the immune system within one to two years of infection (Boda et al., 2018). Treatment for HPV is primarily aimed at prevention (Markowitz et al., 2014). HPV vaccines are available for males and females ages 9 through 26 (Markowitz et al., 2014). It is highly encouraged that males and females begin the vaccine series between the ages of 11 and 12 (Markowitz et al., 2014). Also, safe sexual practices are promoted for prevention, including abstaining from sex, condom use, and/or limiting the number of sexual partners (Markowitz et al., 2014).  Other than prevention, there is no treatment for HPV infections (Markowitz et al., 2014). HPV associated lesions can be treated through various modalities, such as laser or electrosurgical procedures (Markowitz et al., 2014).   

Detection and monitoring for HPV is primarily done through cervical cytology (Markowitz et al., 2014). Current guidelines recommend that cervical cancer screening begin at age 21 and be performed every 3 years until the age of 29 (Markowitz et al., 2014). If abnormal cells are detected, additional testing for HPV may be performed (Markowitz et al., 2014). Routine HPV testing can be performed alongside a pap smear every 5 years for women between the ages of 30 and 65 or women may choose to continue regular pap smears every 3 years (Markowitz et al., 2014). Women that have an abnormal pap smear should be tested more frequently, often every 12 months (Markowitz et al., 2014). Women that test positive for HPV 16 or 18 should be sent for a colposcopy according to current guidelines (Markowitz et al., 2014).

References

Boda, D., Docea, A. O., Calina, D., Ilie, M. A., Caruntu, C., Zurac, S., … Tsatsakis, A. M. (2018). Human papilloma virus: Apprehending the link with carcinogenesis and unveiling new research avenues. International Journal of Oncology, 52(3), 637-655. https://dx.doi.org/10.3892%2Fijo.2018.4256

Markowitz, L., Dunne, E., Saraiya, M., Chesson, H., Curtis, C., Gee, J., … Unger, E. (2014). Human papillomavirus vaccination: Recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 63(1), 1-30. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6305a1.htm

 Reply 

Environmental Issues

Instructions: Check the assignments below and post your answers or ‘editorial’ in this forum.  

 Select an article from the mass media (newspaper) that deals with an “environmental” health issue. 

Analyze and critique the article by answering the following questions: 

1-What are the characteristics of the community involved?

2-What appears to be the sources of the problem?

3-What evidence is provided in the article to substantiate the cause?

4-Does the news coverage describe health effects?

5-What population is at risk?

6–Does the coverage provide adequate information for consumers to understand the problem and seek any needed assistance?

7-How would you improve this article for better public awareness?

  bold each 5 questions and  answer.

  

The dictionary defines accountability as : the quality or state of being accountableespecially: an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions (Merriam-webster.com, 2019)

Nurses have a responsibility to their patients to be accountable. One of the tools to help and guide nurses are the Nurses Code of Professional Conduct. The nurses Code of Professional conduct or Code of ethics,” is a compilation of ethical rules designed to guide the nurse in making the correct decision in difficult patient-care situations. The Code contains nine provisions, each dealing with a different area of patient care. Nurses must adhere to the Code throughout all interactions with patients, colleagues and other health-care providers.” (Work.chron.com, 2019)

Under Provision 4 int the Code of Ethics it states, “The nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice; makes decisions; and takes actions consistent with the obligation to promote health and to provide optimal care.” (ANA, 2019)

In caring for a patient, a nurse can demonstrate professional accountability by only rendering care he/she is competent to do. An example of this would be a nurse with no tele experience or training hired to work on a med surge floor being floated or pulled to work on telemetry unit. If that nurse accepted the assignment without having passed a tele competency he/she would be working outside their scope of practice and would be breaking the code of conduct. they would not be showing accountability in their actions to the patients or their practice and could put the patient and nursing license in jeopardy. They could also be charged with misconduct. A Nurse who refused said assignment and bumped up the issue to a supervisor would be holding themselves accountable for the safety of the patients and the integrity of their license.  

The reason we use clinical expertise along with EBP to make decisions is because we as health care providers cannot know everything. Even if we have years of clinical experience and expertise. In that sense it is important to bring clinical expertise together with EBP to bring forward the best care for our patients and by incorporating both we are being fully accountable to our practice and for our patients.