Choose a communicable disease topic from the resources mentioned above or select one from the list below:
- Chickenpox
- Tuberculosis
- Influenza
- Hepatitis B
- HIV/AIDS
- STIs (HPV, herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis)
- Ebola
- Measles
- Polio
- Foodborne illnesses (E. coli, salmonella, listeria, hepatitis A)
- Hepatitis C
- SARS-CoV-2
- Monkeypox
- Dengue
- Botulism
- Norovirus
- CA-MRSA
In a 1,000-1,250-word paper, apply the concepts of epidemiology and nursing to research a communicable disease. Address the following:
- Provide an overview of the chosen communicable disease with emphasis on mode of transmission and demographic of interest, including whether or not the disease selected is reportable.
- Apply the epidemiologic triangle as it relates to the communicable disease selected. Include the host factors, agent factors (presence or absence), and environmental factors.
- Describe the role of the community health nurse in primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention through tasks such as case finding and contact tracing, reporting, data collection, analysis, and follow-up.
- Identify at least one national patient safety resource or initiative that addresses the communicable disease chosen and describe how the resource or initiative contribute to resolving or reducing the impact of disease at the point of care.
- Discuss a global implication of the disease. How is this addressed in other countries or cultures? Identify changes in conditions that might indicate a public health emergency related to this communicable disease.
Cite a minimum of three peer-reviewed or professional references (e.g., professional health organizations like Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], World Health Organization [WHO], Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA], U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS]).
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Course Resources if you need assistance.
Benchmark Information
This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competencies:
RN-BSN
3.6: Advance preparedness to protect population health during disasters and public health emergencies.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education
This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competencies 1.1, 3.4, 3.6, 5.2, and 6.1
Expert Answer and Explanation
Epidemiology of Tuberculosis
Out of the 55.4 million cases of mortality that the World Health Organization (WHO) reported to have died in 2019, 13.7 million cases were attributed to the infectious diseases (WHO, 2020). One of the unique attributes associated with these diseases is that different pathogenic microorganisms are involved in their transmission. Given this attribute, the choice of the intervention for a communicable disease, depends on the type of pathogen that causes the disease. If one has a Hepatitis B which is linked to Hepatitis B virus, for instance, a physician may recommend Bulevirtide.
While various communicable illnesses are worth examining, it is more important to examine Tuberculosis because it is highly infectious, and is associated with a wide range of illnesses (Esmail et al., 2022). For instance, being diabetic increases one’s susceptibility to disease. This underscores the need for people to be educated about the disease including its epidemiologic triangle and the resource that can help address it.
Overview of the Communicable Disease
Mode of Transmission
An individual can either have a latent or active TB, and unlike the latent TB, the active form of the disease is characterized by the presence of the TB pathogens deep inside the lungs, making the TB bacterial infection is highly contagious. However, the lifespan of the TB infection begins with the exposure stage in which the bacteria remain undetectable and it occurs during the initial stages of coming into contact with the infected person (Esmail et al., 2022). This contact results when an individual sings, laughs or speaks, releasing droplets of infected salvia, mucus or phlegm which another person inhales. Therefore, transmission of the disease occurs through air.
Demographic of Interest
While everyone can be infected with TB, one’s risk of contracting the TB bacterial depends on a wide range of factors. If one has a preexisting condition, for instance, their vulnerability to TB infection is significantly high. Thus, the demographic of interest are people with chronic illnesses including those with HIV and AIDS. The other group to consider includes tobacco smokers because the susceptibility of this population to TB virus is high (Esmail et al., 2022). This is attributed to the fact that smoking impairs one’s immunity, and the substances found in the cigarettes end up in the lungs, damaging them.
Reportable Status of the Disease
The contagious nature of the TB requires clinicians or hospitals to verify and report TB cases. When reporting to the Center for Disease and Control (CDC), those mandated to report are required to follow the appropriate guidelines for notifying the CDC. However, one can also notify the local health officer if they suspect that one is infected. In both cases, the timespan re