Week 2 – Discussion 1
As we explore the differences between genetics and genomics, the role genetics plays in health promotion and our practices and the role disease prevention plays this week please answer the following discussion prompts.
From your selected health promotion topic from week one; what are the genetic implications for your Healthy People2020 Objective?
What role do you as a nurse have in genetic assessments related to the implications identified above?
Name two specific health education needs for individuals concerning genetic influences and your chosen Healthy People 2020 Objective.
* Please note: You need to support your post with a scholarly source that is referenced using APA format and you include intext citations where you are using the referenced material in your post. This can be in support of your topic choice or one that presents an alternative view point. You are expected to respond to the discussion prompt with your initial post by the 3rd day of the unit week. After submitting your initial post, respond to at least two other student posts. Your responses should be thoughtful, respectful, and substantially add value to the discussion. You should respond to your peers throughout the unit week, but all responses need to be submitted no later than the last day of the unit week.
From your selected health promotion topic from week one; what are the genetic implications for your Healthy People2020 Objective?
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are both genetically predisposed diseases. Family history of this disease implies that an individual will be at a high risk for developing the disease themselves. Diabetes is also often linked to other comorbidities such as hypertension and heart disease. Type 2 diabetes heavily relies on environmental triggers as well meaning that simply having a family history is not always the only factor in developing diabetes. One’s environmental tendencies as well as lifestyle habits greatly influence the chances of developing diabetes (American Diabetes Association, n.d.).
What role do you as a nurse have in genetic assessments related to the implications identified above?
An especially important part of a physical assessment is inquiring about a family history of diseases as many have known genetic implications that could help understand a patient’s current health status. Observing for signs or symptoms of diabetes in this case would likely occur upon initial assessment. Next, conducting a full physical assessment will include obtaining lab work including hgA1c, blood glucose test, as well as serum glucose lab testing and this information along with a family history can help provide the information for a physician to diagnose this disease. We not only assist the physician in obtaining objective assessment data but our role as a nurse can help us build rapport with a patient and inquire about lifestyle trends and provide teaching or references on ways to improve or implement healthy lifestyle changes such as proper diet and exercise. Our role is to assess, provide treatment ordered, and educate our patients.
Name two specific health education needs for individuals concerning genetic influences and your chosen Healthy People 2020 Objective.
One particularly important health education topic is the importance of daily lifestyle choices despite a family history risk factor. Helping our patients understand that a risk factor of the disease running in the family is not a certainty that they will develop the disease but understanding what can be done to prevent it as much as possible is necessary for patients with a genetic predisposition to diabetes such as diet and exercise. Another specific health education is how to properly monitor ones hgbA1c levels and understanding what they mean and why we want them at or below a certain level. Understanding their goals and what their parameters mean is essential in compliance.
References
American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Genetics of diabetes. https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/genetics-diabetes
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