N108: Transition to the Registered Professional Nurse

N108: Transition to the Registered Professional Nurse Role Study Guide of 171 Vulnerable Populations The number of poor and homeless individuals and families has increased in recent years. These populations can have particular challenges based on their poor living conditions, chronic illnesses, and poor access to care. The conditions in which these populations live can create health problems. They may be exposed to infectious or communicable diseases spread by insects, rodents, or other human beings. They may be lacking adequate sanitation facilities, nutritious foods, and routine healthcare. They may experience physical and psychological health problems including abuse of alcohol, drugs (prescription and illegal), food, or tobacco. Nurses may find jobs working in federally or state-subsidized outpatient clinics, in emergency centers, or in the public health field which serves the poor or homeless. Changing Lifestyles Physical and psychological health problems may be the result of the abuse of alcohol, prescription medicines, illegal drugs, food, or tobacco. Nurses can help in prevention and community health as well as counseling and educating individual patients. Nurses need to be educated regarding violence in the home and workplace. Therapeutic communication skills may be used to help clients share personal issues with their nurse. The nurse can help a client in a violent relationship seek assistance. Nurses who work in women’s health fields may require specialized training to recognize the situation. The nurse may also have a role in sex education. The type of education may vary depending on the developmental age of the patient and the area in which the nurse practices. When in the role of an educator, no subject should be off-limits. Prevention, early detection, and treatment of STDs are topics with which the nurse should be familiar. The nurse’s role is to diagnose and educate not to judge the client. Cultural/Spiritual/Communication Influences Illness is perceived differently by different cultures. Part of the nurse’s role is to explore how her patient views his illness and incorporate that perception into her nursing interventions. Some cultures emphasize healers outside of traditional medicine and these healers should be used to supplement the patient’s care where possible. Some patients may also find traditional remedies important. Religious restrictions or sanctions may be important to some patients. Nurses should take the religious needs of the patient into consideration. She should honor restrictions on therapy or nutritional restrictions. A nurse should ask about the patient’s religion and use that information to plan care. The nurse should also consider that different cultures have different social organizations that may influence the care given to an individual patient. People of different cultures view their interaction with the world differently. For example, some cultures may not believe that they have control over their environment. They may perceive time differently. Different cultures may also be biologically different and may experience illness in varied ways. Some cultures may value privacy or maintaining ©2017 Achieve Test Prep Page 92