Caring of Environmental Health

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Table of Contents

Definition of Terms
Uses and 3 Attributes of Environmental Health Nursing
Surrogate and relevant uses of the environmental health
Consequences of Environmental Health
Theoretical definition
Operational definition
Model Case
References

Definition of Terms

Nursing involves the care of individuals of all age groups and communities, those who are sick and well, and also family members. It also includes promoting health, care of ill people and preventing illness (Geissler, 1990).

As a little child the dream of becoming a nurse was always on my mind. Being active in helping others through their illness was my priority and also looking after my family members and my surrounding neighbors. Environmental health nursing is going to be my ultimate career choice. This career path will prepare me to address health effects that come along with environmental risks and will also help me to explore areas of pregnant women, special needs for children and the elderly, the minorities and chronically ill patients.

Uses and 3 Attributes of Environmental Health Nursing

The environment plays a big role when it comes to health matters. A patient’s environment encompasses the concept of nursing.

One of the most important aspects of the environment is the health care acceptable by the individual. For example, regular access to health care provides better opportunities to discover and prevent serious conditions, such as cancer. Another aspect of the environment is a social support which is also provided by nurses in a great degree. A speedy recovery of the patient can be achieved if there is proper care and a comfortable environment (Sappington, 2003).

Environmental determinants of health are fundamental in assessing, planning and evaluating elements of nursing. Sometimes we overlook environmental factors which affect health and when this takes place we lose a chance to prevent it. We should not only identify hazards that add to a present diagnosis, for example, an indoor allergen that worsens childhood asthma and those which are so far to bring about illness, for example, asbestos, radon, and nitrogen oxides from poorly ventilated furnaces.

Nurses may take preventive actions before the disease is stated. During the assessment phase the health history of the patient is taken. Nurses conduct assessments in patients’ homes and work place, this helps them gain information about the environmental features affecting the health of the patient (Sappington, 2003).

Surrogate and relevant uses of the environmental health

Environmental hazards that involve human health affect every area of nursing practice. Pediatric nurses for example need to be alert to specific hazards for children such as environmental agents caused by rapid growth and cell division.

Nurses who deal with oncology patients of the advanced age should be aware of the fact that many deceases of those people might have appeared due to toxic exposures in the work place, home, or community that happened in the earlier years. Obstetrics and gynecology nurses should also know that most environmental hazards strongly affect reproductive health or are suggested to do so (Spanier, 2012).

“Emergency and trauma nurses ought to know how to separate and decontaminate and also treat workmates who are exposed by the toxic chemicals during the transportation of it and unsafe working environment” (National Research Council, 1995, p.6).

Occupational health nurses need to be cautious of workplace chemicals being carried to the community or homes of the workers putting populations at risk (National Research Council, 1995, p. 16). Nurses who care for people of low economic background should be aware that they face an increased risk of exposure to hazardous pollutants; for example, they are more likely to live and work polluting industries, waste dump sites and incinerators (Vilt, 2009).

Consequences of Environmental Health

There is lack of adequate information in individuals and communities concerning environmental hazards. This occurs due to the use of technical language in warning signs and illiteracy (National Research Council, 1995, p. 16).

Hazards involving cytotoxic drugs that are used by nurses in the workplace linked to mutagenic and carcinogenic effects and can cause effects of skin irritation and allergic reactions (Vilt, 2009). The long term exposure of waste anesthetic gases that occur in delivery rooms and recovery rooms are associated with increase in renal and hepatic disorders, they have been correlated to with increased risk of abortions and congenital abnormalities in exposed workers.

Mercury that is found in various instruments poses a great risk, and high levels of it cause intense poisoning leading to sudden death. Mercury can be carried by workers who take it at home on their clothing; as a result, other members of the family are exposed to it too. To avoid this employee education must be put in place also the proper handling of spills and environmental control need to be in check (Spanier, 2012).

Nurses dealing with terminally ill patients, patients who are in the burn unit, and emergency room also experience stress related symptoms. (DiBenedetto, 1995). Loss of appétit, frequent headaches and the lack of sleep include some of the early signs of stress (DiBenedetto, 1995).

The understaffing of workers, not being involved in decision making process, being overworked, and seeing patients die are the major factors which contribute to stress. Stress-related symptoms can lead to addictions, such us overuse of alcohol and drugs which affects job performance. Stress management programmes in the workplace; having frequent staff meetings; and adequate coping mechanisms are one of the many ways to cope with stress in the workplace.

Patient violence has been on the rise for a long time especially in mental health settings which involve nurses as victims. Emergency departments, surgical units, care facilities and pediatric units also are other high risk settings. Inadequate training and staffing show a relationship with the health care assault (Spanier, 2012).

Theoretical definition

Environmental health involves features of human health that include the value of life determined by biological, chemical, and social aspects in the environment.

Operational definition

Environmental health consists of the art of protecting against environmental factors which may affect human health or ecological balances that are needed for the long-term sustenance of human health and environmental quality (Gist, 1997).

Model Case

Angela is a registered nurse. She works in a community senior care center. Jerry who is 82 years and a retired school teacher goes to the center 3 days in a week. Elizabeth, Jerry’s wife of 60 years passed away 5 months ago and he now lives with his daughter and her family. Jerry is quite reserved and lonely and says he is a burden to his daughter and her family.

His health is in jeopardy and he hardly eats anything since the death of his wife. Angela listens and talks to Jerry quietly. She comforts and encourages him most of the time to mix with others in the center and be involved in the activities provided by the center. Angela shows interest in learning Jerry’s favorite foods which she includes in his meals served attractively.

Angela includes Jerry in looking for classes that the center has to offer and with Angela’s encouragement he starts doing art classes. He learns the basics of art and states that now he will be able to share what he learns with his grandchildren (Irvin, & Acton, 1996).

This model case has all defining attributes of nurturance as a concept and presents an example of holistic care. Angela made sure to include special mealtimes for Jerry that helped improve his physical health and also boost his emotional state. Angela demonstrated caring behaviors like using gentle touch and just listening to him, she treated him in a kindhearted manner.

She also assessed Jerry’s needs and understood his feelings of loneliness. Jerry got better as Angela helped him to learn new skills and also he has been able to interact with others well boosting his emotional and social skills. As he met these needs Jerry adapted well to the changes that occurred in his life and found his place within the family unit (Geissler, 1990).

In a similar case Ann is a registered nurse at the center. Tears fill up her eyes as she watches Michael sitting all by himself at a corner. She knows that Michael is grieving the loss of his wife. She puts herself in his shoes and wonders how she would feel if anything happened to her husband.

She pictures herself doing everything alone without her husband. She comes back to reality as another nurse asks for her assistance. She comforts and encourages him most of the time to mix with others in the center and be involved in the activities provided by the center. Angela shows interest in learning Jerry’s favorite foods which she includes in his meals served attractively.

This model demonstrates empathy which is linked to nurturance but totally different. Empathy can be a very important part when it comes to nurturing in an individual. Empathy has been defined as the ability to put oneself inside another persons’ world for purposes of having an understanding of what the person might be going through (Geissler, 1990).

In summary, there is the awareness that health and environment are closely related. Our surroundings can have a great impact on our well-being; it can affect us either positively or negatively. Humans through interventions can play a great role in reducing health hazards.

While environmental health is being looked at nurses are at high risk of exposure as they are close to their patients; also the demand whether physical or psychological associated with the job; and also the drugs that they handle while working (National Research Council, 1995, p. 134).

Their knowledge of environmental health problems can help them tackle issues they might encounter while dealing with their patients. Environmental health is the foundation of public health. The improvement of sanitation, clean drinking water, disease control and many others will lead to a quality improvement of life in our lifetime.

The environmental health nursing practice tackles health risks emerging from the human development pressures coming from the environment. Tampering with environment can have an everlasting effect on future generations; therefore we all need to take care of each other and our surroundings.

References

DiBenedetto, D.V. (1995). Occupational hazards of the health care industry: protecting health care workers. AAOHN journal: official journal of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, 43(3), 131.

Geissler, E.M. (1990). An exploratory study of selected female registered nurses: meaning and expression of nurturance. Journal of advanced nursing, 15(5), 525 – 530.

Gist, G. (1997). Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Atlanta. Personal communication.

Irvin, B.L., & Acton, G.J. (1996). Stress mediation in caregivers of cognitively impaired adults: theoretical model testing. Nursing research, 45(3), 160 – 166.

National Research Council. (1995). Nursing, Health, and the Environment. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press,

Sappington, J. (2003). Nurturance: The spirit of holistic nursing. Journal of holistic nursing: official journal of the American Holistic Nurses’ Association, 21(1), 8 – 19.

Spanier, A. (2012). Environmental health. Public health reports, 127(4), 440.

Vilt, K. (2009). Environmental health. The American journal of nursing, 109(1), 13.

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