Describe Life Span Considerations To Use In Application ✓ Solved

Describe Whatlife Span Considerations You Might Use In Applying The N

Describe what life span considerations you might use in applying the nursing process to infants, school-age children, younger adults, and older adults in relation to immunizations and wellness. Overview: This week’s topic asks us to differentiate health promotion related to immunizations by developmental stages. Information about the recommended vaccines by age can be found on the CDC website. Assessing what the client, or parents in the case of a child, believe about health and vaccinations at any developmental stage is the first step. In the case of infants and school-age children who have no choice, a nurse would need to assess the parent’s health beliefs and develop a plan from there.

If the parents do not believe in vaccinating then the intervention would be with the parents. Similarly, young adults would need to be assessed to determine the date of the vaccinations and if a Tdap or Td is needed. Young adults should be assessed to see whether they are receiving annual flu vaccinations and if not why. The health of older adults and progression of chronic diseases would need to be assessed. Older adults may need a pneumonia vaccine, a hepatitis vaccine, shingles vaccine, and the flu vaccine.

There are new vaccines out this year. Because of the different types of pneumonia vaccine, zoster (shingles) vaccines, new hepatitis and types of flu vaccine can be very confusing, there is a lot of patient teaching that needs to happen with older adults.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The application of the nursing process across different life span stages requires tailored considerations to promote immunizations and overall wellness effectively. Understanding the unique developmental, cognitive, and social contexts of infants, children, young adults, and older adults is essential for implementing appropriate health promotion strategies.

Infants and Young Children

Infants and young children are entirely dependent on caregivers for their health decisions. In this stage, nurses must prioritize educating parents about the importance of immunizations, as vaccination adherence depends heavily on parental beliefs and knowledge. The CDC recommends a series of vaccines starting at birth, including hepatitis B, rotavirus, DTaP, Hib, pneumococcal, and inactivated poliovirus vaccines (CDC, 2023). Nurses should assess parental attitudes towards vaccines, addressing concerns and misinformation through evidence-based education. Establishing trust and communicating the safety and efficacy of vaccines are crucial steps in overcoming vaccine hesitancy in this demographic (Rubin et al., 2018).

Moreover, maintaining a developmental perspective involves ensuring parents understand the importance of timely vaccinations aligned with the recommended immunization schedule. Nurses may employ age-specific educational strategies, utilizing visual aids or plain language, to reinforce the significance of preventing communicable diseases (Fisher & Friesema, 2020). Recognizing that infants cannot make health choices themselves, the emphasis is on empowering parents with accurate information and culturally sensitive dialogue to enhance vaccine acceptance.

School-age Children

As children grow and develop cognitive skills, they can participate more actively in health decisions. Nurses should assess both the child's understanding of health concepts and the parental beliefs shaping their immunization status. School-aged children and adolescents should receive vaccines such as HPV, varicella, and menacyococcal vaccines, with the schedule tailored as per CDC guidelines (CDC, 2023). At this stage, health education becomes more interactive, encouraging children to understand the benefits of immunizations to foster a health-conscious attitude early on (Brady et al., 2017).

Assessment of vaccine hesitancy among this age group focuses on addressing misconceptions and empowering children with knowledge to promote adherence. Engaging adolescents directly can improve vaccine uptake, especially for vaccines like HPV that may be stigmatized or misunderstood. The nurse’s role includes providing age-appropriate health education, discussing peer influences, and involving the child in the decision-making process, all within the limits of parental consent (Perkins et al., 2019).

Young Adults

Young adults are typically capable of making independent health decisions. During their health assessments, nurses should review immunization history, update any missing vaccines, and educate about the importance of ongoing immunity. For example, they should receive Tdap booster every ten years, annual influenza vaccination, and vaccines for hepatitis A and B, especially for those in high-risk groups (CDC, 2023). Nurses should assess knowledge gaps, explore barriers to vaccination such as access or misconceptions, and provide tailored education about vaccine benefits and potential side effects (Holmes et al., 2019).

Furthermore, this stage offers an opportunity to address emerging health risks, such as sexually transmitted infections, lifestyle factors, and travel-related concerns, that influence vaccine needs. Occupational exposure, community participation, and lifestyle choices shape immunization requirements, necessitating personalized vaccine counseling (McIntosh & Crane, 2018). The nurse’s role includes encouraging self-care and highlighting vaccines’ role in maintaining long-term health and preventing illness.

Older Adults

Older adults often experience chronic health conditions that complicate immunization strategies. Their unique considerations include assessing the progression of chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and COPD, which can influence vaccine responsiveness (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). In addition, immunosenescence—the decline of the immune system with age—necessitates specific vaccines such as pneumococcal conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines, shingles vaccine, hepatitis B (if at risk), and annual influenza immunizations (Ying et al., 2019).

The complexity of multiple comorbidities increases the likelihood of vaccine contraindications or adverse reactions, requiring thorough assessment and patient-specific recommendations. Old age also involves addressing misconceptions about vaccine safety and efficacy, which can hinder vaccination compliance. Patient teaching should emphasize the importance of booster doses and the role of vaccines in reducing hospitalization and mortality related to preventable diseases (Liu et al., 2020).

Additionally, nurses need to consider cognitive and sensory impairments, tailoring communication strategies for understanding and consent. Visual aids, simplified explanations, and involving caregivers are often necessary to improve vaccine acceptance among older populations. The emergence of new vaccines, such as the shingles vaccine (Zostavax or Shingrix), requires ongoing education to ensure older adults are protected against preventable illnesses effectively (Gavrilov et al., 2021).

Conclusion

In summary, applying the nursing process with consideration of life span stages involves a comprehensive understanding of developmental, psychological, and social factors influencing immunization and wellness. Tailoring health education and interventions to each age group enhances vaccine acceptance, improves health outcomes, and supports lifelong wellness. Addressing misconceptions, cultural beliefs, and logistical barriers through patient-centered approaches ensures optimal immunization coverage across the lifespan.

References

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Adult Immunization Schedule. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Vaccination Schedule for Adults. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vax/index.html
  • Fisher, S. & Friesema, J. (2020). Pediatric Immunizations and Parental Beliefs. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 50, 45-52.
  • Gavrilov, A., et al. (2021). Immunization in Older Adults: Strategies and Challenges. Aging & Disease, 12(5), 1192–1202.
  • Holmes, R., et al. (2019). Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy Among Young Adults. Vaccine, 37(15), 1932-1938.
  • Liu, S., et al. (2020). Immunization and Aging: Maximizing Vaccine Effectiveness in Older Adults. Infectious Disease Clinics, 34(2), 491-505.
  • McIntosh, E., & Crane, J. (2018). Vaccine Decision-Making and Adult Immunization. The Journal of Adult and Community Education, 2(1), 32–45.
  • Perkins, R. B., et al. (2019). Engaging Adolescents in Health Decisions. Journal of Adolescent Health, 65(6), 758-764.
  • Rubin, S. E., et al. (2018). Overcoming Barriers to Childhood Immunization. Journal of Public Health Policy, 39(2), 206–217.
  • Ying, C., et al. (2019). Vaccination Strategies in Older Adults. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 14, 1183-1190.

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