NR 222 Week 1 Content Questions

Grace J.
August 6, 2025August 6, 2025
CU BSN, NR-222

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-222 Health & Wellness

Prof. Name

Date

Assignment Submission Guidelines

Students are required to provide a comprehensive response to the instructor-assigned content questions by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the due date. Collaboration with assigned groups is necessary to compose the responses, which must then be submitted via the designated drop box in Canvas. All submissions should comply with APA 7th edition formatting and must include both a cover and a reference page. A minimum of two current peer-reviewed scholarly resources (published within the last five years) must be used to support responses. The bulk of the paper should reflect the student’s original thoughts, with a maximum of 10% direct quotations. Proper citation is mandatory to avoid plagiarism. Turnitin similarity index should not exceed 24%. Students must consult the assignment rubric for detailed instructions.

Provide a brief overview of historical and contemporary influences in nurses promoting health

Nursing has undergone significant transformation from its early origins to its current practice. During the Civil War era, nurses provided essential care on battlefields and in makeshift hospitals, often improvising in response to limited resources. Their role focused on meeting the immediate needs of wounded soldiers, disaster victims, and the general community. Today, nursing has evolved into a complex discipline rooted in evidence-based practice, requiring proficiency in pain management, wound care, nutritional planning, and preventive care.

a. How does nursing during the Civil War compare to today’s nursing practices and priorities?

During the Civil War, nursing was largely unstructured and driven by necessity. Nurses were primarily caregivers who operated without formal training, managing wounds, infections, and comfort care in extremely challenging environments. In contrast, today’s nursing is professionalized and highly regulated, relying on research-based interventions. Nurses now play key roles in coordinating care, preventing injury, managing chronic conditions, and incorporating health technologies (Lewenson, 2020).

b. What advantages do nurses today have?

Modern nurses benefit from access to scholarly research, which equips them with current, validated knowledge. Advanced education, licensure, and certification provide a strong foundation for practice. Technology, interprofessional collaboration, and access to clinical decision-making tools further enhance the quality of care (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2019).

c. What differing demands do they face now?

Contemporary nurses face evolving curricula and practice expectations. Technological advancements demand ongoing education in informatics and digital health tools. They also contend with systemic challenges such as workforce shortages, increasing patient acuity, and the pressure to reduce costs while maintaining care quality (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2022).

What is the difference between managing health and managing illness? How does this shift in philosophy affect nursing?

Managing health involves proactive strategies aimed at maintaining physical, mental, and social well-being, such as exercise, balanced nutrition, and preventive screenings. In contrast, managing illness focuses on restoring health after the onset of disease or injury, addressing both acute and chronic conditions. This shift toward health promotion impacts nursing by expanding the role from bedside care to community education, prevention, and advocacy. Nurses now actively participate in lifestyle education and chronic disease management, bridging the gap between illness treatment and long-term wellness (Potter et al., 2021).

Identify the differences between primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention and identify which level of prevention interests your group the most and why

Prevention Level	Definition	Examples	Focus
Primary Prevention	Activities to prevent the onset of disease	Vaccinations, health education, fitness programs	Health promotion and disease prevention
Secondary Prevention	Early detection and prompt intervention	Screenings for hypertension, cancer, or diabetes	Early diagnosis and treatment
Tertiary Prevention	Management of irreversible conditions to improve quality of life	Rehabilitation, physical therapy, chronic disease management	Minimizing disability and supporting recovery

Our group favors primary prevention as it aligns with the nursing role of education and empowerment. By focusing on health promotion, nurses can help reduce the incidence of diseases and improve overall population health.

Discuss the role of ethics in the nursing profession including how the Code of Ethics for Nurses is integrated into Nursing Practice Act

Ethics guide nurses in making sound moral decisions and delivering patient-centered care. The ANA Code of Ethics outlines responsibilities such as respecting patient dignity, advocating for patients, and maintaining integrity. The Nurse Practice Act (NPA) provides legal parameters that govern nursing practice in each state. The integration of ethics and the NPA ensures accountability and consistency in practice, reinforcing nurses’ duty to protect patients while adhering to professional standards (ANA, 2015).

Summarize the steps of the nursing process and relate nursing assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation to health and wellness

The nursing process is a structured framework that includes five critical steps:

Assessment – Collecting data on patient health status.
Diagnosis – Identifying patient problems based on assessment findings.
Planning – Setting measurable, achievable health goals.
Implementation – Delivering nursing interventions.
Evaluation – Assessing outcomes and modifying care plans as needed.

This process fosters comprehensive care and supports wellness through early detection, targeted interventions, and continuous improvement (Potter et al., 2021).

Discuss the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice related to health promotion activities and identify ways that ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses support the role of nursing in health promotion

The ANA Scope and Standards emphasize equitable, person-centered care rooted in respect for human dignity. Nurses engage in health promotion through community education, advocacy, and disease prevention. The ANA Code of Ethics supports this by affirming nurses’ duty to promote public health, advocate for social justice, and prioritize patient well-being (ANA, 2022).

Discuss how a healthcare provider might tailor healthcare for cultural diversity

To provide culturally appropriate care, healthcare providers must demonstrate cultural competence, including awareness, knowledge, skill, encounters, and desire. By understanding a patient’s beliefs, values, and traditions, providers can deliver respectful, individualized care. Cultural tailoring also involves linguistic accessibility, sensitivity to health practices, and engagement with community resources (Campinha-Bacote, 2011).

Pick a possible disparity that can create barriers in caring and communication with patients

A significant disparity is limited access to healthcare among underserved populations. This can result from geographic location, lack of insurance, or systemic inequalities. These barriers hinder timely interventions and continuity of care, disproportionately affecting minority and low-income communities. Addressing this disparity requires policy changes, outreach programs, and resource reallocation (CDC, 2022).

Discuss communication barriers and techniques to overcome barriers (minimum of 3 techniques)

Communication barriers such as language differences, heavy workloads, and nonverbal misinterpretations negatively impact care. According to Norouzinia et al. (2015), strategies to overcome these include:

Conducting communication skills workshops to enhance staff-patient interactions
Improving healthcare environments to support privacy and comfort
Promoting holistic care models that prioritize empathy and active listening

These approaches enhance clarity and trust, fostering better outcomes.

Discuss/review family forms in the 1950s and compare to the family forms today

In the 1950s, the traditional nuclear family dominated, with a male breadwinner and a female homemaker. Today, families are more diverse, including dual-income households, single-parent families, and same-sex couples. This shift reflects societal changes in gender roles and economic participation. Nurses must recognize these dynamics to offer inclusive and relevant care.

Discuss individual family dynamics and possible bias that would impede patient-centered care

Family dynamics shape patient values and decisions. Biases—such as assumptions based on race, religion, or socioeconomic status—can compromise care. Nurses must reflect on their attitudes and recognize unconscious biases to ensure respectful, individualized treatment (Potter et al., 2021).

References

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. ANA.

American Nurses Association. (2022). Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (4th ed.). ANA.

Campinha-Bacote, J. (2011). Delivering Culturally Competent Nursing Care: A Toolkit for Educators. Journal of Nursing Education, 50(5), 261–267.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Health Disparities and Inequalities Report. https://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/CHDIReport.html

Lewenson, S. B. (2020). Nursing History Review: Official Journal of the American Association for the History of Nursing. Springer Publishing Company.

Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2019). Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.