How the advanced practice nurse can play a role in improving the health of young adults

Despite increased abilities across developmental realms, including the maturation of pain systems involving self-regulation and the coordination of affect and cognition, the transition to young adulthood is accompanied by higher rates of mortality, greater engagement in health-damaging behaviors, and an increase in chronic conditions. Rates of motor vehicle fatality and homicide peak during young adulthood, as do mental health problems, substance abuse, unintentional pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections.

Describe how the advanced practice nurse can play a role in improving the health of young adults through preventive screening and intervention. in 600 words, include references

Sample Solution

The advanced practice nurse is well-positioned to improve the health of young adults through preventive screening and intervention. Screening tools can be used by advanced practice nurses to identify young adults at risk for poor health outcomes such as motor vehicle fatalities, mental health problems, substance abuse and other chronic conditions. Once identified, the advanced practice nurse can then implement evidence-based strategies and interventions that are tailored to address the needs of individual patients.

In collaboration with healthcare providers and organizations, advanced practice nurses have a role in implementing population-level preventive interventions targeting high-risk behaviors associated with negative health outcomes among young adults. These interventions may include health promotion campaigns aimed at addressing risky behaviors such as drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs; engaging in unprotected sexual activity; or driving without a seatbelt. Such campaigns should also encourage healthy lifestyle choices including physical activity, healthy eating patterns and avoiding tobacco use.

Advanced practice nurses also play an important role in providing support for vulnerable populations who may not have access to adequate prevention services due to socioeconomic barriers or cultural disparities. This includes individuals from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds or those living in rural areas who may face additional challenges when it comes to accessing preventive care services such as screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or routine vaccinations against diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). As primary care providers, advanced practice nurses can provide these essential services while ensuring culturally sensitive care is maintained throughout their interactions with patients.

Finally, advanced practice nurses should strive to stay informed about current best practices in preventative care related to young adulthood so they are better prepared to make appropriate treatment decisions based on available evidence while remaining sensitive towards patient preferences and values. Additionally, it is important for them to create supportive environments where confidentiality between provider and patient is key so that trust between both parties continues being built over time making future conversations easier for both involved parties’ benefit overall.

References:
1) Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Young Adults’ Health: What You Need To Know About Ages 18 – 24 [online] https://www2a.cdcgov/stdtraining/resources/Infographics_FINAL_YoungAdultsEng50x121820webpdf [accessed 11 May 2021]
2) Institute of Medicine (US). The Future of Nursing Leading Change Advancing Health Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing at IOM Roundtable on Evidence-Based Practice Washington DC National Academies Press 2011 Available from http://wwwbooksnapresscom/downloadpdfpost//9781429483546ch07 pdf Accessed March 5 2021

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