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.
Full Answer Section
- Educate young adults about health-promoting behaviors. APNs can educate young adults about the importance of healthy eating, regular exercise, and avoiding risky behaviors such as smoking and excessive alcohol use. They can also help young adults to develop strategies for managing stress and coping with difficult emotions.
- Counsel young adults about mental health problems. APNs can provide counseling to young adults who are struggling with mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. They can also refer young adults to psychiatrists and other mental health professionals for specialized treatment.
- Coordinate care with other healthcare providers. APNs can coordinate care for young adults who have multiple health conditions or who need to see multiple healthcare providers. This can help to ensure that young adults receive comprehensive and well-coordinated care.
Here are some specific examples of preventive screening and interventions that APNs can provide to young adults:
- STI/HIV testing: APNs can provide young adults with confidential and affordable STI/HIV testing. They can also counsel young adults about how to prevent STIs and HIV.
- Immunizations: APNs can ensure that young adults are up-to-date on all of their immunizations, including the HPV vaccine, the Tdap vaccine, and the meningococcal vaccine.
- Blood pressure screening: APNs can screen young adults for high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
- Cholesterol screening: APNs can screen young adults for high cholesterol, which is another major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
- Diabetes screening: APNs can screen young adults for diabetes, which is a chronic disease that can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure.
- Mental health screening: APNs can screen young adults for mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
- Substance abuse screening: APNs can screen young adults for substance abuse, including alcohol abuse and drug abuse.
- Contraception counseling: APNs can provide young adults with counseling about contraception and help them to choose a contraceptive method that is right for them.
- Pregnancy care: APNs can provide prenatal care to pregnant young adults and help them to have healthy pregnancies.
APNs can also play a role in advocating for policies and programs that promote the health of young adults. For example, APNs can advocate for increased access to affordable healthcare for young adults, and they can work to promote healthy food and beverage options in schools and communities.
By providing preventive screening and intervention services, APNs can help young adults to stay healthy and avoid preventable health problems.
Sample Answer
Advanced practice nurses (APNs) can play a vital role in improving the health of young adults through preventive screening and intervention. APNs are highly skilled and knowledgeable nurses who have the authority to diagnose and treat illnesses, order tests, and prescribe medications. They also have a deep understanding of the unique health challenges facing young adults.
Here are some specific ways that APNs can help to improve the health of young adults:
- Provide preventive screenings. APNs can provide young adults with preventive screenings for a variety of health conditions, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. These screenings can help to identify and treat health problems early on, when they are most treatable.