illness pdf

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Review Activities

  1. Navigate to: Nurse’s Touch: Wellness and Self Care

    • Complete:

      • Lesson content (40 min)

      • Case Study

      • Practice test

  2. Navigate to: Review Modules

    • Open: Community Health Nursing (30 min)

      • Review:

      • Chapter 7: Care of Vulnerable Populations

      • Complete application exercises and the active learning scenario.

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the purpose and function of various health concepts and related body systems.

  • Explore the effect chronic illness has on individuals.

  • Examine social determinants of health and their impact on clients with chronic illnesses.

  • Understand how alterations in one body system can affect others and the client's overall response to illness.

  • Analyze the role of nurses in caring for clients with chronic illnesses.

Health Concepts and Body Systems

  • Homeostasis: The process by which the body maintains stable internal conditions (e.g., temperature, fluid balance, oxygen levels).

  • Disruption of Homeostasis by Illness:

    • Illness requires the body to exert more effort to regain balance.

    • Examples:

    • Fever disrupts temperature regulation.

    • Diabetes affects glucose regulation.

    • Heart failure impacts oxygen delivery and fluid balance.

Risk Factors for Chronic Illness

  • Factors that can increase the likelihood of long-term health issues, categorized as modifiable or non-modifiable:

    • Modifiable Risk Factors:

    • Lack of exercise/sedentary lifestyle

      • Leads to weight gain, weak muscles, poor circulation.

      • Increases risk for obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

    • Poor eating habits/food choices

      • Excessive fat, salt, or sugar can cause high cholesterol and diabetes.

    • Tobacco use

      • Damages lungs and vascular system, increasing risks for COPD, lung cancer, etc.

    • Alcohol consumption

      • Long-term effects include liver disease and mental health issues.

Endocrine Function

  • The endocrine system consists of glands secreting hormones into the bloodstream to regulate functions like:

    • Growth and development

    • Metabolism

    • Reproduction

    • Blood pressure and sugar levels

    • Homeostasis maintenance through a negative feedback loop.

    • Example: High blood sugar triggers insulin release from the pancreas.

Negative Feedback System

  • Mechanism by which hormone levels are regulated:

    • When hormone levels are abnormally high, production stops; if low, production increases to restore balance.

    • Example:

    • Blood sugar regulation steps:

      1. Food intake increases blood sugar.

      2. Pancreas releases insulin.

      3. Insulin decreases blood sugar.

      4. Insulin release slows once normal levels are restored.

Gas Exchange/Respiratory Function

  • Gas exchange involves the intake of oxygen (O₂) and the removal of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the lungs, occurring in the alveoli.

  • Requirements for efficient gas exchange include:

    • Clear airways.

    • Healthy alveoli.

    • Adequate blood flow (perfusion).

  • Impaired gas exchange results in hypoxemia (low oxygen) and hypercapnia (high carbon dioxide).

Effects of Impaired Gas Exchange

  • Symptoms include:

    • Shortness of breath.

    • Confusion and fatigue.

  • Systemic Effects:

    • Brain: confusion, restlessness.

    • Heart: increased workload.

    • Kidneys: decreased urine output.

    • Skin: pallor, cyanosis.

Chronic Illnesses Related to Gas Exchange

  • COPD: Chronic bronchitis and emphysema leading to damaged alveoli and airway obstruction.

  • Asthma: Characterized by airway inflammation causing limited airflow.

  • Heart Failure: Ineffective pumping leads to pulmonary edema.

  • Pulmonary Fibrosis: Scarred lung tissue thickens alveolar walls, reducing oxygen exchange.

  • Pneumonia: Lung infection leads to fluid and pus blocking alveoli.

Gastrointestinal Function

  • Nutrition provides crucial fuel for bodily functions and healing. Poor nutrition can lead to:

    • Weakened immune response.

    • Delayed wound healing.

    • Chronic conditions worsening (diabetes, heart disease).

  • Role of Nurses: Promote balanced meals, portion control, and physical activity in chronic illness management.

  • The pancreas plays a vital role in carbohydrate digestion and blood glucose control through hormone production (insulin/glucagon).

Hematologic Function

  • Components of blood include:

    • Plasma (55%): Liquid portion containing water, proteins, nutrients, etc.

    • Red Blood Cells (RBCs): Carry oxygen and carbon dioxide; lifespan ~120 days.

    • White Blood Cells (WBCs): Fight infections and foreign invaders; various types include neutrophils and lymphocytes.

    • Platelets: Crucial for clotting; form blood clots at injury sites.

Chronic Illness Impact on Hematologic System

Chronic Illness

Hematologic Effect

Chronic kidney disease

Low RBC production → anemia

Cancer

Affects bone marrow → low WBCs or platelets

Autoimmune diseases

May destroy blood cells or impair clotting

Chronic inflammation

Alters WBC levels and affects clotting/iron storage

Liver disease

Affects plasma proteins leading to bleeding risk

Nervous System Functions

  • Parasympathetic (Rest and Digest):

    • Constricts pupils.

    • Stimulates saliva production.

    • Slows heart rate and relaxes intestinal muscles.

  • Sympathetic (Fight or Flight):

    • Dilates pupils.

    • Increases heart rate and stimulates glucose release.

Integumentary System/Tissue Integrity

  • Skin as a first defense against infection, cushions body structures, and protects from injury.

  • Chronic illness can slow wound healing and increase infection risk.

  • Important for chronic illness care are: diabetes and vascular diseases.

Musculoskeletal Function and Mobility

  • Chronic illness effects include:

    • Joint pain/stiffness.

    • Muscle weakness/atrophy.

    • Limited mobility; increased fall risk.

Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)

  • Key domains:

    • Economic stability (meeting basic needs).

    • Education access and quality.

    • Health care access and quality.

    • Neighborhood influences on health.

    • Social/community context affecting emotional well-being.

SDoH Impacts and Nursing Advocacy

  • Health People 2030 Goal: Improve health care access and quality.

  • Nursing advocacy can help:

    • Fund community health clinics.

    • Improve access to preventive care and screenings.

Role of the Nurse: Nursing Process

  1. Recognize cues (assessment)

  2. Analyze cues (diagnosis)

  3. Prioritize hypotheses (analysis)

  4. Generate solutions (planning)

  5. Take actions (implementation)

  6. Evaluate outcomes (evaluation)

Strategies for Disease Prevention

  • Primary Prevention: Focus on preventing risk factors (e.g., promoting healthy eating).

  • Secondary Prevention: Early detection strategies (e.g., screening).

  • Tertiary Prevention: Managing existing disease (e.g., blood sugar control).

  • Quaternary Prevention: Preventing overmedicalization (e.g., avoid unnecessary interventions).

Client Education Considerations

  • Important factors include:

    • Implicit biases of the nurse.

    • Client’s reading level and preferred learning style.

    • Content clarity and relevance to the client’s health status.

Cultural Competence in Nursing

  • Understand gender identity vs. sexual orientation.

  • Use correct pronouns and provide nonjudgmental care.

  • Advocate for equity and respect patient diversity.

Case Study: Debra Smith's Chronic Illness Management

  • Initial Assessment: 72-year-old female with gradual weight gain and elevated blood pressure.

  • Follow-up: Reports successful exercise implementation, demonstrating effective chronic illness management.

Self-Reflection and Lesson Reflection Activities

  • Consider personal emotional management in client scenarios.

  • Reflect on how social determinants of health impact chronic illness care.

  • Explore differences in nursing approaches across age groups (e.g., teenagers vs. elderly).