Introduction to Community/Public Health Nursing

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering important concepts in community and public health nursing.

Geopolitical/community

Defined by physical boundaries such as cities, towns, or neighborhoods.

Common interest/phenomenological community

Formed based on shared beliefs, interests, or experiences rather than physical location.

Community of solution

Formed in response to a specific problem that needs addressing.

Primary prevention

Focuses on preventing disease before it occurs through health promotion and specific protections.

Secondary prevention

Aims to detect and treat diseases in their early stages to prevent progression.

Tertiary prevention

Reduces complications and disability from established diseases, including rehabilitation.

Assessment (Core Public Health Function)

Systematic collection and analysis of information about community health.

Policy development (Core Public Health Function)

Creating comprehensive public health policy based on assessment data.

Assurance (Core Public Health Function)

Pledge that necessary services are provided to achieve health goals.

Roles of the Public Health Nurse

Includes clinician, educator, manager, collaborator, leader, and researcher.

Public Health Intervention Wheel

Seventeen interventions applicable across community-focused, systems-focused, and individual-focused levels.

Community Assessment - Status/People

Looks at individual/social determinants of health and prevalence of health outcomes.

Community Assessment - Structure

Examines services and resources available in a community to support health.

Community Assessment - Process

Reflects a community’s ability to function effectively in addressing health needs.

Windshield survey

An initial familiarization method for assessing a new community.

Problem-oriented assessment

Focuses on a single problem to assess the community regarding that issue.

Comprehensive Assessment

Looks at multiple components of community health including education and services.

Primary data

Information collected directly from community members.

Secondary data

Includes existing records from health departments and census data.

Epidemic

When a disease exceeds its normal frequency in a specific community or region.

Endemic

A disease that is consistently present in a certain area at expected levels.

Pandemic

A global outbreak affecting a large number of people across multiple countries.

Host (Epidemiologic Triad)

An organism susceptible to disease.

Agent (Epidemiologic Triad)

The cause of the disease (e.g., a bacterium or virus).

Environment (Epidemiologic Triad)

External factors that promote or inhibit disease transmission.

Natural History of Disease

Refers to the progression of a disease from its onset to resolution.

Health Inequities

Differences in health status or healthcare access influenced by social determinants.

Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations

Examines population characteristics as explanations for health behaviors and outcomes.

Upstream strategies

Address root causes of health disparities through policy and structural changes.

Midstream strategies

Focus on improving conditions affecting people's lives, like access to healthcare.

Downstream strategies

Address immediate health conditions and behaviors of individuals.

Formative evaluation

Occurs during the intervention to assess ongoing progress and effectiveness.

Summative evaluation

Assesses the outcomes and impact of the intervention after completion.

Direct transmission

Immediate transfer of infectious agents from reservoir to new host.

Droplet spread

Transmission when within close proximity to another person through respiratory secretions.

Indirect transmission

Occurs through air, contaminated objects, or vectors.

Beneficence

Acting for the good and ensuring beneficial results for clients.

Non-maleficence

The principle of not causing harm.

Justice

The fair and equitable distribution of resources.

Evolutionary change

Gradual adjustments in behaviors or circumstances.

Revolutionary change

Rapid and drastic changes in behavior or circumstances.

Stages of Change/Transtheoretical Model

Stages individuals go through to change behavior, including precontemplation to maintenance.

Health Belief Model

Explains health behaviors based on perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers.

Cultural competence

Ongoing process of improving ability to work within the cultural contexts of clients.

Ethnocentrism

Preference for one’s own culture over others.

Cultural desire

Motivation to learn about other cultures.

Communication Health Literacy

Ability to understand complex medical information for effective decision-making.

Macroeconomics

The study of economic stability and growth within healthcare systems.

Payments in Health Care - Retrospective Payment

Reimbursement after services are provided.

Payments in Health Care - Prospective Payment

Payment made before care, based on predetermined rates.

Family Assessment Methods - Ecomap

Illustrates family connections with the outside environment.

Family Assessment Methods - Genogram

Shows how families are connected and their relationships.

Emergency and Disaster Management

Phases include prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.

Mass Casualty Triage

Categorizes injuries to prioritize care during disasters.

Global Health Nursing

Considers social determinants of health in providing care.

Kingdon’s Policy Framework

Describes how problems, policies, and politics interact to open policy windows.

Types of policies

Includes substantive, procedural, distributive, and regulatory policies.

Advocacy in Public Health

Engaging in the legislative process and policy promoting.