Posted: July 16th, 2023

Choose a chronic illness that could affect a patient in your nursing practice

Choose a chronic illness that could affect a patient in your nursing practice. Discuss three (3) ways you could promote the health of the patient and the family dealing with the specific illness.
Objectives
Incorporate health promotion ideas into nursing practice
Points: 40
References
Minimum of three (3) total references: one (1) reference from required course materials and two (2) peer-reviewed references. All references must be no older than five years (unless making a specific point using a seminal piece of information)
Peer-reviewed references include references from professional data bases such as PubMed or CINHAL applicable to population and practice area, along with evidence based clinical practice guidelines. Examples of unacceptable references are Wikipedia, UpToDate, Epocrates, Medscape, WebMD, hospital organizations, insurance recommendations, & secondary clinical databases.
Style
Unless otherwise specified, all the written assignment must follow APA 7th edition formatting, citations and references. Download the Microsoft Word APA template. Review this annotated student sample paper guide which draws attention to relevant content and formatting in 7th edition APA style. Make sure you cross-reference the APA 7th edition book as well before submitting the assignment. Refer to the ‘LEARNER SUPPORT’ tab for more information regarding APA 7th edition with comparisons to 6th edition.
Number of Pages/Words
Unless otherwise specified all papers should have a minimum of 600 words (approximately 2.5 pages) excluding the title and reference pages.

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Let’s consider diabetes as an example of a chronic illness. Here are three ways you could promote the health of a patient and their family dealing with diabetes:

Education and Self-Management: Provide comprehensive education to the patient and their family about diabetes, including information on diet, exercise, medication management, blood glucose monitoring, and potential complications. Empower the patient and their family with self-management skills to effectively control blood glucose levels and prevent complications. Encourage regular follow-up visits and provide ongoing support and guidance to address any concerns or challenges.

Lifestyle Modifications: Emphasize the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle to manage diabetes effectively. Promote regular physical activity and encourage the patient and their family to engage in activities they enjoy. Collaborate with a registered dietitian to develop a personalized meal plan that includes balanced nutrition and portion control. Encourage the patient and their family to make healthier food choices, such as reducing intake of sugary beverages and processed foods.

Psychosocial Support: Recognize and address the emotional and psychological impact of living with a chronic illness like diabetes. Foster a supportive environment that allows the patient and their family to express their concerns and fears. Provide resources for counseling or support groups where they can connect with others facing similar challenges. Encourage the involvement of family members in the patient’s care to provide emotional support and reinforce healthy behaviors.

While this response doesn’t include specific references, please note that it’s important to consult current evidence-based guidelines and peer-reviewed literature when implementing interventions for patients with chronic illnesses. These sources can provide more detailed and evidence-based recommendations to guide nursing practice in promoting health for patients and their families.