Question

1. discuss a review of the literature specific to "environmental health" and the pathophysiology. 2. discuss current evidence-base nursing intervention for environmental health 3. develop a nursing care plan for "environmental health" by creating a case scenario 4. discuss how the care plan meets at least one objective in healthy people 2020 and the implication for nursing practice

Answer 1

Review of literature can discussed under the Model "Epidemiologic  Triad"

• Agent
• Host
• Environment

Explain about Chemical,biological and nutritional agents causing enviromental health hazards

Discuss current evidence-base nursing intervention for environmental health.

Evidence-base nursing interventions for environmental health can be conceptualized using the California Public Health Foundation (CPHF, 1992) and it consists of three roles for the health professional:

Ø Investigator

Ø Educator

Ø Advocate.

Ø Investigator

1. Collection of environmental health history

2. Identification of   factors that affect health

3. Collaborating with other health professionals in investigative actvities

4. Conduct research activities

5. Working with health care organizationsor  agencies to perform environment health hazard assessments.

Ø Role as Educator

- educate patients, families, workers, and communities about the possible adverse effects of exposure to environmental hazards and how to reduce or eliminate such exposures.

- help to create environmentally safe homes, schools, day-care settings, workplaces, and communities.

-As role models, nurses can perform their duties in an environmentally safe manner e.g hand washing

- speak at community gatherings and conduct workshops, seminars or webinars related to the environment and human health.

- act as resource persons for mass health education activities by public health agencies.

Ø Role as Advocate

In today’s world, environment related health issues are generally considered as sensitive issues (especially genetic diseases). Hence such problems are discussed in a highly confidential context.

Nurses are capable of helping their clients due to their scientific knowledge and experience and can contact individuals, agencies, and organizations outside the health care system for their clients to change their hazardous conditions and prevent future problems.