Choose a topic below related to the role of gender in history. You can choose particular women or divide the periods or tribes up to write this.

Answer ALLof the following questions in essay format. 2-3 pages. APA format. 12 Font Times New Roman only.

All work must be properly cited and unless otherwise noted; do not include pure opinion. 

1. Compare and contrast definitions of health from a public health nursing perspective.

2. Explain the difference between public/community health nursing practice and community-based nursing practice.

3. Discuss major contemporary issues facing community/public health nursing and trace the historical roots to the present.

4. Discuss and explain the steps to identified/diagnosed community health problems.

*** 600 words!!! 

As stated in the syllabus please present your assignment in an APA format word document, Arial 12 font attached to the forum in the discussion board name “Week 1 discussion questions”.  A minimum of 2 evidence-based references is required (not counting the class textbook) no older than 5 years.

TO REPLY WITH A COMMENT OF AT LEAST 5 SENTENCE EACH FOR POST 1 AND  POST 2 IT IS GOING TO BE 2 COMMENTS. EACH REPLY COMMENT WITH TWO CITATION AND TWO REFERENCE APA ABOVE 2013.

POST 1

Statistics show that “approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S., or 43.8 million people, experiences mental illness in a given year” (National, 2018a, p. 1).  The adolescent population, ages 13-18, accounts for “21.4% of mental health illness cases” (National, 2018, p. 1) which doesn’t include the “estimated 13% of children ages 8-15” (National, 2018a, p. 1) also suffering with mental illness in any given year.  In the U.S. of the “20.2 million adults living with substance abuse, 10.2 million of them have a co-occurring mental illness (National, 2018a, p. 1) and the price tag for treating mental health illnesses costs “America $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year” (National, 2018a, p. 1).  These statistics demonstrate a very big problem accompanied by very few solutions.  Advocating better care for our mental health patient population will also target the homeless and substance abuse populations as well.  Proper care can help give these people a second chance at life to live independently, secure employment, and to be productive citizens within their communities.

            There are several ways to help advocate better care for those suffering with mental illness including, “joining or starting a local support chapter, becoming a local advocate, volunteer, or becoming an ambassador” (Depression, 2018, p. 1).  Being involved can “make a real difference, not only in your own life, but in the lives of others” (Depression, 2018, p. 1).  A lot of patients that suffer with mental illness aren’t being heard or acknowledged for the treatment they desperately need, so it’s up to the general population to join and support this type of patient care and to show that mental health care is just as important as physical health care. 

            Advocating for those suffering with mental illness “improves the individuals’ understanding of their situation, enables their views to be heard, ensures that they have the opportunity to be partners in their care and increases their autonomy” (Varghese, 2015, p. 1).  Advocating also “promotes the rights of those who suffer discrimination because of their age, disability, sexuality, gender or culture, and it can ensure the quality of the care system” (Varghese, 2015, p. 1).

            The only way that change can occur is to make the issue aware, give it a face for people to see.  The stigma on mental illness needs to come to an end.  When a patient breaks their arm, they can go the hospital without judgement and get proper medical treatment and within a few weeks their arm will heal and be useful again.  However, when a patient suffers from a mental or psychotic break, they go to hospital and are judged from the beginning and then drugged until they act in a way that society will accept them.  A large population of mental health patients are diagnosed with illnesses they were born with or due to trauma they inherited them throughout life.  Instead of offering proper treatment and acceptance, healthcare providers are easily frustrated and judgmental because they either don’t care or don’t understand.

            Ways to help promote change and encourage education is by asking your local governor to make a proclamation, take action on advocacy issues, ask businesses and landmarks to light up green to raise awareness, address culture barriers, speak with teens, hand out ribbons and education, host an event, volunteer, implement a free community outreach program, become a program trainer, or help run a support group (National, 2018b, p. 1).  The end goal needs to be better and reliable care for our mental health patient population and to educate enough to end the stigma, so those suffering will no longer feel the need to hide and be scared of what others will think.

-Crystal Browne

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.  (2018).  Advocate for mental health.  Retrieved from:  https://secure2.convio.net/dabsa/site/SPageServer/PageServer?pagename=help_advocate_mental_health.

National Alliance on Mental Illness.  (2018a).  Mental health by the numbers.  Retrieved from:  https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers. 

National Alliance on Mental Illness.  (2018b).  Become a leader in the mental health movement.  Retrieved from:  https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/What-Can-I-Do-/Become-a-Leader-in-the-Mental-Health-Movement.

Varghese, J.  (2015).  Advocacy in mental health:  offering a voice to the voiceless.  Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry.  Retrieved from:  http://www.indjsp.org/article.asp?issn=0971-9962;year=2015;volume=31;issue=1;spage=4;epage=8;aulast=Varghese.

POST 2

There are many views on mental health. Some cultures view mental health issues as a sign of familial conflict. Or as a sign to receive divine intervention or forgiveness. While other cultures have a more negative view such as demonic possession or a supernatural phenomenon (Choudhry et al., 2016). In America about one in four adults are diagnosed with some type mental health disorder (CDC, 2014). This can be from substance abuse, anxiety disorders or mood disorders. The commonality of mental health is an issue that will be faced in practice as well as the negative or unknown view of the public on mental health. This is were becoming an advocate and educator are important to make change for patients dealing with mental health issues.

Education and Mental Health

One of the foundational duties of being a nurse practitioner is to educate. This includes not only the patient, but the public. By educating the public on the facts of mental health is a start. Another beneficial strategy is educating the public on the signs and symptoms of mental health. For example, a mother may notice her once vibrant and social teenager is now distant and tearful. The mother may believe her child is “going through a phase”, when the teen is suffering from depression with suicidal ideation. Or when an individual has a stressful job and uses alcohol to help him “relax”.

Becoming a Social Change Agent for Mental Health

Education of the public can be done in many ways. Handing out pamphlets is a helpful approach, but this approach is limited. Venturing to different places, such as schools, offices and churches and speaking with individuals about mental health are ways to reach a wide variety of people. By having local mental health awareness sessions where people from all different walks of life come to learn about the facts of mental health is an initiative that allows people to ask question about mental health issues. This also allows for discriminatory or perceptions of mental health disorders to be addressed. Through education, the stigma associated with mental health can be changed.

.

References

Centers for Disease Control. (2012). Attitudes Towards Mental Illness. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/hrqol/Mental_Health_Reports/pdf/BRFSS_Full%20Report.pdf

Choudhry, F. R., Mani, V., Ming, L. C., & Khan, T. M. (2016). Beliefs and perception about mental health issues: a meta-synthesis. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 12, 2807-2818. doi:10.2147/NDT.S111543

Reflect on the current roles of advanced practice nurses in healthcare as the care providers at the front line of disease management and health promotion in primary care and many other specialty settings. What do you think are some effective tactics for APN strategic positioning regarding pay equality? Should APNs position themselves as lower-cost providers who provide better care or push for comparable worth, same service and same pay?

Below is an article that provides great practical information that highlights how provider productivity is calculated in the clinical setting, which is important to know as future nurse practitioners.

Calculating Your Worth: Understanding Productivity and Value- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4093517/

 all discussion posts must be minimum 250 words, references must be cited in APA format, and must include minimum of 2 scholarly resources published within the past 5-7 years.  

comment1

Nutritional management should be key component of therapy and imperative to wound healing. As a diabetic patient, control of glycemic index is very important with proper nutrition and adequate calorie intake to promote wound healing. Also, since she lives alone,has  been in bed for 3 days and complained of not having any help with meal preparation. Nutritional intake could be critically imbalanced in her case and strategies for weigth reduction.

With thick yellowish drainage and elevated WBC, wound is probably infected, would need antibiotic regimen to combat infection, NSAIDS to reduce fever and decrease swelling and pain.

Physician to assess extent of tissue damage and make recommendations for wound care. Wound care team/ PT to be involved in wound treatment and care. Would possibly need wound debridement and wound vacuum assisted closure.    

2.Identify the muscle groups likely to be affected by Ms. G’s condition by referring to “ARC: Anatomy Resource Center.”

Likely muscle groups affected include: the gastrocnemius(back calf muscle), extensor and flexor digitorum longus, anterior tibialis muscle, extensor hallucis longus of the ankle and fibularis longus. (ARC Media). 

3.What is the significance of the subjective and objective data provided with regard to follow-up diagnostic/laboratory testing, education, and future preventative care? Provide rationale for your answer.

Objective data gathered indicate a non-healing wound that is infected going by the lab results. also, yellowish wound drainage, elevated temperature and swelling to leg. As a diabetic patient this is an indication of lack of good glycemic control. Rationale is, elevated blood sugar levels prevent nutrients and oxygen from energizing the cells that fights infection and promote wound healing, prevents the immune system from functioning efficiently and increases inflammation in the body which slows down wound healing. (Dening, 2017). So going forward, blood glucose level monitoring and control is very crucial and weight reduction.

subjective data which is what the patient tell us indicate inability for Ms.G. to care for self and deficient calorie intake, as evidenced by complaint of lying in bed for 3 days, living alone and no one to help with meal preparation. Adequate nutrition is very essential to wound healing. Going forward, provision of balanced nutrition will be needed especially, high protein intake for collagen formation to promote wound closure. (Russell, 2001). It is noted that exudate loss results in protein deficit and need to be replaced. (Russell, 2001). She will need the services of OT and social workers to help with nutritional management and provision. Also, home health assistance with meal preparation and ADLS or meals on wheels services. Need to be properly educated on diet, exercise and blood glucose monitoring / therapeutic treatment of elevated blood sugar and care of lower extremities to prevent injuries.

comment2

the patient has an acute systemic infection and a draining wound with a Staphylococcus aureus. According to the CDC, Staphylococcus aureus is among the bacteria that cause necrotizing fasciitis which is inflammation of the fascia [tissue under the skin that surrounds muscle, nerves, and fat] (CDC, 2018).  As I mentioned in my post, patient education about managing blood glucose level and weight is vital to healing and preventing recurrent infections.  Many patients I take care of are admitted with cellulitis and many also have diabetes. I noticed that the lack of access to primary care and sufficient funds is one of the reasons patients are not able to manage their diabetes.