Discussion:Emerging and Re-emerging Infections Across the Lifespan

  Note Initial Post: A 3-paragraph (at least 400 words) response. Be sure to use evidence from the readings and include in-text citations 

Discussion:Emerging and Re-emerging Infections Across the Lifespan

Introduction

Infections, if not treated properly, can lead to potentially fatal complications that otherwise could have been prevented. Unfortunately, patients who are sick or recovering from surgery are at greater risk of developing infections. While hospitals and other medical facilities have strict policies about cleanliness and have measures in place to help prevent the spread of infectious organisms, it is not always possible to be 100% effective. There is no firewall protection against viruses and potential infections from occurring in these health care settings. For this reason, it is critical that nurses and other medical workers be aware of potential hazards in order to recognize symptoms of infection.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK20370/

http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/index.html?s_cid=cs_4318

http://www.cdc.gov/

As presented in the above readings, many individuals acquire infections in the community as well as during treatment in the hospital. As a nurse, it is important to know what is going on in the world. In addition to reading scholarly literature, reading the paper and watching the news helps to keep a nurse aware of what is going on currently. In addition, many organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) track current health trends and post updates on their websites, along with Fact Sheets to help educate, prevent, and treat new and re-emerging diseases. These Fact Sheets are made to be short and easy to read so that health care professionals and patients are more likely to read and understand the information.

For this Essay you will examine an emerging or re-emerging disease and the nurse’s role in prevention and management of the disease. Locate an article in a newspaper, in a lay magazine, or on an organizational website that discusses an emerging or re-emerging infectious disease that is currently affecting your community. Reflect on the article you selected and think about how the emerging or re-emerging disease might affect nursing practice.

Respond to the following:

summarize the article you selected and provide the reference. Then, address the following:

1. What implications does the disease have for nursing practice?

2. How does the emergence of this disease affect your personal practice?

3. Why do you think that this disease is emerging/re-emerging?

4. What is the nurse’s role in preventing and managing the impact of infectious diseases both from the patient and nurse perspective?

5. Support your response with references from the professional nursing literature.

Note Initial Post: A 3-paragraph (at least 400 words) response. Be sure to use evidence from the readings and include in-text citations. Utilize essay-level writing practice and skills, including the use of transitional material and organizational frames. Avoid quotes; paraphrase to incorporate evidence into your own writing. A reference list is required. Use the most current evidence (usually ≤ 5 years old).