community class final

Advance directives

Legal documents that specify a client’s wishes regarding healthcare decisions when they are unable to communicate (e.g., coma, sedation)

Living will

A written legal document outlining a client’s preferences for end-of-life care (e.g., life support)

Durable power of attorney

A legally appointed person who makes healthcare decisions on behalf of the client if incapacitated

Nurse role (advance directives)

Provide clarification and education about options; avoid giving personal opinions or advice

Caregiver burden

The physical, emotional, and financial strain experienced when caring for another person long-term

Sandwich generation

Adults responsible for caring for both dependent children and aging parents simultaneously

Caregiver stress manifestations

Depression, fatigue, burnout, guilt, social isolation

Burnout prevention (caregivers)

Accept assistance, prioritize rest, set realistic expectations, maintain support systems

FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act)

Allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave to care for family members

Adult day care

A community-based service providing supervision, socialization, and activities for older adults during the day

Medicare Part A

Covers inpatient hospital care, hospice services, and limited home health care

Medicare Part B

Covers outpatient services, preventive care, and medical supplies

Medicare Part C

Medicare Advantage plans that combine Parts A and B, often with additional benefits

Medicare Part D

Provides prescription drug coverage

Medicaid

A government insurance program for individuals with low income

Hospice care

End-of-life care focused on comfort rather than cure, typically for clients with ≤6–12 months to live

Palliative care

Specialized medical care focused on relief of symptoms and stress of serious illness at any stage

Hospice vs palliative

Hospice is for terminal illness only; palliative can be provided alongside curative treatment

Elderly population trend

Increasing life expectancy leads to higher rates of chronic illness and demand for healthcare services

Child poverty

The inability of families to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare

Effects of child poverty

Increased risk for developmental delays, behavioral issues, and poor health outcomes

Long-term poverty risks

Increased risk for chronic illness, mental health disorders, and substance abuse

WIC (Women, Infants, Children)

Federal program providing nutrition assistance to pregnant women, infants, and children

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

Provides financial assistance for food purchases to low-income individuals

Healthcare access barriers

Factors limiting care such as transportation issues, rural location, lack of insurance, and cost

Low breastfeeding rates

Common in young mothers, low-income families, minority groups, and those without maternity leave

Infant car seat

Rear-facing seat used until maximum height/weight is reached (provides best spinal protection)

Toddler car seat

Forward-facing seat with harness after outgrowing rear-facing limits

Booster seat

Used until child reaches 4 ft 9 in and can properly fit a seatbelt

Car safety guideline

Children under 13 years should always sit in the back seat

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

Sudden, unexplained death of an infant under 1 year, often during sleep

SIDS prevention

Place infant on back to sleep, firm mattress, no soft bedding or toys

SIDS risk factor

Prone (stomach) sleeping position

Child mental health warning signs

Withdrawal, behavioral changes, academic decline, mood instability

Common pediatric disorders

ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety disorders, depressive disorders

Hand hygiene definition

The most effective method for preventing the spread of infection

Handwashing guideline

Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

When to perform hand hygiene

Before eating, after restroom use, after coughing/sneezing, after contact with contaminants

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

Neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity

ADHD management strategies

Provide structure, consistent routines, and clear expectations

ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

Developmental disorder involving impaired social communication and repetitive behaviors

ASD interventions

Early intervention, structured routines, and consistency

Vaccination purpose

Stimulates immune response to prevent infectious diseases

Herd immunity

Protection of a population when a large portion is immune to a disease

Vaccine contraindication (important)

Minor illness is NOT a reason to delay vaccination

Leading cause of death (children)

Unintentional injuries such as accidents and trauma

Asthma

Chronic inflammatory airway disease causing bronchoconstriction and airflow limitation

Asthma triggers

Environmental irritants such as pollen, dust, smoke

Asthma symptoms

Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath

Asthma management

Use inhaler (bronchodilator) with spacer as part of action plan

Family-centered care

Healthcare approach that includes family in planning and decision-making to improve outcomes

Family interventions

Support, education, and empowerment to promote adherence to care plans

Child maltreatment (abuse)

Any act or failure to act that results in harm or risk of harm to a child

Signs of child abuse

Injuries inconsistent with history, delayed care, inconsistent caregiver explanations

Vulnerable populations

Groups at increased risk for poor health outcomes due to social, economic, or environmental factors

Examples (vulnerable groups)

LGBTQ+, homeless individuals, veterans, disabled persons, substance users

Assessing vulnerable populations

Evaluate socioeconomic status, environment, access to care, and cultural factors

Reducing disparities

Provide equitable care, improve access, and use culturally competent interventions

Resilience

The ability to recover and adapt after adversity or stress

Migrant farm worker barriers

Language barriers, mobility, fear of deportation, poor housing, limited access to care

Health risks (migrant workers)

Occupational injuries, infectious diseases, chronic illness

Transformative learning theory

Learning process where individuals change perspectives through reflection and new experiences

Cognitive domain

Learning related to knowledge and intellectual skills (remembering → evaluating)

Affective domain

Learning related to emotions, values, and attitudes

Psychomotor domain

Learning related to physical and motor skills

Transtheoretical model

Behavior change model describing stages: precontemplation → contemplation → preparation → action → maintenance

Health Belief Model

Theory explaining health behaviors based on perceived severity, susceptibility, benefits, and barriers

Health literacy

The ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information to make decisions

Abuse definition

Intentional harm or mistreatment (physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect)

Abuse indicators

Bruising, fear, withdrawal, delayed care

Risk factors for abuse

Social isolation, dependency, mental illness, chronic illness

HITS screening tool

Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream (used to identify IPV)

HARK screening tool

Humiliation, Afraid, Rape, Kick (used to screen for abuse)

Human trafficking indicators

Fearful behavior, controlled by another person, poor hygiene, unaware of surroundings

Bullying

Repeated aggressive behavior involving a power imbalance

Cyberbullying

Bullying that occurs through digital platforms

Effects of bullying

Depression, anxiety, poor academic performance

Gun safety recommendations

Store firearms locked and unloaded; store ammunition separately

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse within a relationship

IPV nursing interventions

Nonjudgmental care, safety planning, referrals, education, crisis support

Community planning process

Assess needs → set priorities → implement interventions → evaluate outcomes

Community health worker (CHW)

Individual who provides education, outreach, and connects community members to resources

Social-Ecological Model

Framework showing how individual, relationship, community, and societal factors affect health

CHANGE model

Community Health Assessment tool with 8 steps for planning and improvement

Program evaluation

Process (how), impact (immediate effect), outcome (long-term results)

Million Hearts initiative

National program aimed at preventing heart attacks and strokes

Strategic Prevention Framework

Public health model: assessment → capacity → planning → implementation → evaluation

Man-made disasters

Events caused by humans (terrorism, explosions, chemical spills)

Natural disasters

Events caused by nature (earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes)

Disaster management phases

Mitigation → preparedness → response → recovery

Triage system (disaster)

Method of prioritizing patients based on severity

Triage categories

Red (immediate), Yellow (delayed), Green (minor), Black (deceased/expectant)

Disaster recovery phase

Restoration of community, rebuilding, and mental health support

Heroic phase (disaster)

Immediate response focused on survival and rescue

Honeymoon phase

Short-term community cohesion and shared experiences

Reconstruction phase

Long-term rebuilding and return to normal function

CASPER (Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response)

Rapid assessment tool used after disasters to identify needs

Disaster preparedness

Measures taken before a disaster (emergency kits, evacuation plans)

Disaster nursing competencies

Key roles: planning, communication, safety, assessment, intervention, recovery, ethics