NURS 4010 WK 2 DISCUSSION

NURS 4010 WK 2 DISCUSSION ( 1 page with citation and references)

Using the Epidemiologic Triangle

The assigned readings this week outlined the basic concepts of epidemiology and discussed the concept of the Epidemiologic Triangle. Dr. Jacobs, in this week's media presentation, also discussed how epidemiology helps a community to know itself. Dr. Guerra shared an example of how his community was able to effectively eliminate Hepatitis A infections through primary prevention strategies and the use of epidemiological assessment techniques.

To prepare for this Discussion, review Chapter 12 in the course textbook and the media program. Then, read the following case study:

This is Debbie's first year working as a nurse at the local health department in a rural county. Most of her days are spent in the clinic seeing clients who often do not have health insurance.

Over the past month, Debbie has noticed that several young Hispanic men have come to the health department, each diagnosed with tuberculosis. Debbie is concerned about what the outbreak of tuberculosis among the migrant workers could mean for the community. Through a community health profile, Debbie identifies the group of migrant farm workers as being at highest risk for contracting tuberculosis.

Using the Epidemiologic Triangle concept, consider the relationship among causal agents, susceptible persons, and environmental factors. Then, respond to the following

As a BSN-prepared community health nurse, what steps should Debbie take next?

How might information systems be used to support Debbie's efforts?

Support your response with references from the professional nursing literature.

Course text book:

Video: Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Family, community and population-based care: Epidemiology in community health nursing. Baltimore: Author

Chapter 12, "Epidemiology"
Epidemiology is the study of the spread of infectious, mental, and chronic diseases in addition to health-related events like injuries. This selection offers methods for describing health phenomena, epidemiologic models for explaining relationships that affect one's disease risk, as well as outlines for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in reducing the spread of disease.