NR511 Week 5 Discussion: Preventive Care and Screenings

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NR511 Week 5 Discussion: Preventive Care and Screenings – Step-by-Step Guide

The first step before starting to write the NR511 Week 5 Discussion: Preventive Care and Screenings is to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment. 

It is also important to identify the paper’s audience and purpose, as this will help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, review its use, including writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review the formatting requirements for the title page and headings in the paper, as outlined by Chamberlain University.

How to Research and Prepare for NR511 Week 5 Discussion: Preventive Care and Screenings

The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify a list of keywords related to your topic using various combinations. The first step is to visit the Chamberlain University library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from the Chamberlain University Library, PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last 5 years and go through each to check for credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, such as APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list. 

You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next, create a detailed outline of the paper to help you develop headings and subheadings for the content. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.

How to Write the Introduction for NR511 Week 5 Discussion: Preventive Care and Screenings

The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part, as it helps provide the context of your work and determines whether the reader will be interested in reading through to the end. Begin with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.

How to Write the Body for NR511 Week 5 Discussion: Preventive Care and Screenings

The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence collected from the research, and ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance, as well as how it relates to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between paragraphs by using transition words and a flow of ideas.

How to Write the In-text Citations for NR511 Week 5 Discussion: Preventive Care and Screenings

In-text citations help readers give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their work. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:

“The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Morelli et al. (2024), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Alawiye (2024) highlights that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.”

How to Write the Conclusion for NR511 Week 5 Discussion: Preventive Care and Screenings

When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restating your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. Conclude with a call to action that leaves a lasting impression on the reader or offers recommendations.

How to Format the Reference List for NR511 Week 5 Discussion: Preventive Care and Screenings

The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically, and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication. 

Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:

References

Morelli, S., Daniele, C., D’Avenio, G., Grigioni, M., & Giansanti, D. (2024). Optimizing telehealth: Leveraging Key Performance Indicators for enhanced telehealth and digital healthcare outcomes (Telemechron Study). Healthcare, 12(13), 1319. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12131319

Alawiye, T. (2024). The impact of digital technology on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. E-Health Telecommunication Systems and Networks, 13, 13-22. 10.4236/etsn.2024.132002.

NR511 Week 5 Discussion: Preventive Care and Screenings Instructions

Please read the assignment instruction properly and answer the questions?

Follow these guidelines when completing each component of the assignment. Contact your course faculty if you have questions. Have a look at NR511 Week 6 Discussion: Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 

Include the following sections:

  1. Application of Course Knowledge: Answer all questions/criteria with explanations and detail.
    1. Preventive care and screenings are essential components to primary practice.  Identify your clinical practicum setting (primary care office, urgent care, etc.) and a population that you typically see (i.e., adolescents, women, older adults). Use the US Preventative Services Task Force HealthyPeople 2030
  • Describe two preventative care screenings recommended for the identified population.
  • Discuss the preventative care provided at your clinical practicum site by addressing the following:
  1. Links to an external site. When providing patient education about screenings? 
  2. Screening opportunities are often missed in vulnerable populations and those with limited access to care. Describe changes you recommend in your practice setting and community to increase the frequency of preventative screenings within vulnerable populations.
  • Integration of Evidence: Integrate relevant scholarly sources as defined by program expectations:
  1. Cite a scholarly source in the initial post. 
  2. Cite a scholarly source in one faculty response post. 
  3. Cite a scholarly source in one peer post. 
  4. Accurately analyze, synthesize, and/or apply principles from evidence with no more than one short quote (15 words or less) for the week.  
  5. Include a minimum of two different scholarly sources per week. Cite all references and provide references for all citations. 

NR511 Week 5 Discussion: Preventive Care and Screenings Example

Preventive Care And Screenings

The utilization of preventive healthcare services plays a crucial role in women’s overall health outcomes as it has been linked to reduced mortality rates from breast and cervical cancer (Becker et al., 2021). The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all women should undergo screening for breast cancer every other year from age 40 (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2023). This guideline is based on extensive research and data analysis, focusing on the balance between the benefits and harms associated with screening. Early detection through mammography and clinical breast exam can significantly reduce breast cancer mortality rates by detecting tumors at an early, more treatable stage.

Preventive Care And Screenings Are Essential Components To Primary Practice, and Guidelines Providers Use To Determine Which Screenings To Offer

In my primary care office setting, focusing on breast cancer screening for women of all ages is a critical aspect of preventive healthcare. Two preventive care screenings recommended for women, specifically focusing on breast health, are mammography and clinical breast exams. Mammography involves taking X-ray images of the breast tissue, which can detect breast cancer at an early stage, often before symptoms are noticeable, making treatment more effective (Stolp & Fox, 2023).

The recommended frequency of mammograms can vary, but for women at average risk, starting from age 40, it is advised to have a mammogram every one to two years (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2023). This approach provides a balance between early detection and minimizing the risk of false positives.  Those with a family history of breast cancer or certain genetic mutations may begin screening earlier and have more frequent mammograms, often starting in their 30s. However, providers also consider individual risk factors such as family history, genetic predisposition, and personal medical history when making screening recommendations.

Clinical breast exams are physical examinations of the breasts conducted by a healthcare provider, such as a physician or nurse. During a CBE, the healthcare professional checks for lumps, abnormalities, or changes in breast tissue. Clinical breast exams complement mammography and may detect breast abnormalities that are not visible on a mammogram, especially in younger women. Other guidelines providers use for CBE are that for women with an elevated risk of breast cancer, healthcare providers may offer clinical breast exams alongside risk assessment and early detection counseling. Additionally, some women may prefer to conduct regular self-exams to monitor the appearance and feel of their breasts.

Addressing Disparities and Bias

Despite the high quality of care, disparities in access to breast cancer screenings can persist. As a nurse, I try to address these disparities by implementing outreach programs to underserved communities. Additionally, providers are trained to be culturally sensitive and unbiased in their interactions with patients. One of the most glaring challenges in breast cancer screening is the disparity in outcomes among different racial and ethnic groups. Black women are 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer and are often diagnosed at younger ages (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2023). These disparities underscore the urgent need for research to understand the underlying causes and develop strategies to eliminate this health inequality.

Screening Recommendations and Health Literacy

Providers at the clinical practicum site recognize the importance of clear and effective communication when presenting screening recommendations to patients. They employ various strategies to enhance health literacy, including the use of plain language and visual aids to explain the benefits and potential risks of screenings. Providers also encourage patients to ask questions and seek clarification to ensure they fully understand the importance of early detection and the recommended screening schedule (Healthy People, 2020).

In line with the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care, the clinical practicum site places a strong emphasis on cultural competence. Providers receive training in cultural sensitivity and are encouraged to consider their patients’ unique cultural backgrounds and beliefs when delivering preventive care information. Patient education materials are available in multiple languages, and interpreters are readily accessible to ensure that language barriers do not hinder comprehension.

Changes Recommended To Increase The Frequency Of Preventive Screenings Within Vulnerable Populations

The implementation of targeted community outreach and education programs helps to raise awareness about the importance of preventive screenings (Healthy People, 2020). These programs should provide information in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways, addressing language barriers and cultural sensitivities that may hinder understanding. It is also important to collaborate with local community-based organizations that have established trust within vulnerable populations (Healthy People, 2020).

These partnerships can facilitate outreach, education, and the coordination of screening services, making it easier for individuals to access preventive care. In addition, advocating for policies at the local and state levels that prioritize preventive care and allocate resources to address health disparities. Engaging with policymakers can help create a supportive environment for increasing screening opportunities.

References

Becker, N. V., Moniz, M. H., Tipirneni, R., Dalton, V. K., & Ayanian, J. Z. (2021). Utilization of women’s preventive health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Health Forum, 2(7), e211408. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamahealthforum.2021.1408

Healthy People. (2020). Preventive care. Health.gov. https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/preventive-care

Stolp, H., & Fox, J. (2023, February 21). Mammograms. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/mammograms-fact-sheet

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2023). Screening for Breast Cancer. Uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/files/breast-cancer/Breast_Cancer_DRS_Consumer_Guide.pdf