G.K. is a family nurse practitioner in the health department of a large city. She is responsible for following up with infants and children who have been referred to the health department. Most of her referrals come from the hospital upon discharge of an infant going home to a potentially high-risk environment.
G.K. follows up with each child to ensure he or she is in a safe environment and is growing and developing adequately. She provides education and support to the parents so they can anticipate and respond appropriately to the challenges of raising children.
Questions for the case
Define and describe the following influences that can affect individual’s potential for growth:
genetic factors
prenatal and postnatal exposures
nutritional factors
environmental factors
life style
health care practices.
Answer the specific question on the table above. Then, continue to discuss the 2 topics listed below for your case:
Describe the relationship between culture and growth and development. Assess whether all growth and development milestones should be applied to all children regardless of cultural background.
Design a teaching plan for parents regarding injury prevention during infancy. In your teaching plan you must include the home of an infant injury proof.
G.K case study
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G.K case study
Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) are important healthcare professionals in healthcare. They are advanced practice registered nurses trained who have received sufficient advanced education and training to work in a primary care setting. G.K is an FNP who is responsible for following up with infants and children to ensure their well-being (Devakumar et al., 2018). In that regard, this paper answers the provided questions to complete the assignment.
Define and describe the following influences that can affect an individual’s potential for growth:
Genetic Factors
Genetic factors have a significant influence on an individual’s growth pattern. Genetic traits are passed from parents downwards to children and along the lineage. These genetic traits that people borrow from their parents can determine one’s emotional and physical being (Kirby & Verbiest, 2022). The individual’s height and body weight are always the products of genetic and environmental forces together with their interactions.
Prenatal and Postnatal Exposures
Prenatal exposure is a very critical determinant of the quality of life the baby will have before and after birth. Prenatal exposure to harmful substances or situations can lead to poor development and growth of the baby (Kirby & Verbiest, 2022). For instance, exposure to cigarette smoke can increase the baby’s risk of developing asthma, low birth weight, and cleft lip or cleft palate.
Nutritional Factors
Food is like fuel to the body because it is needed to generate energy and keep the body functioning. However, what and how one eats determine a lot about the growth, development, and well-being of individuals (Devakumar et al., 2018). Malnutrition, for instance, delays physical growth and motor development in children. It might lead to a lower intellectual quotient (IQ) and deficient social skills.
Environmental Factors
The environmental factor is a common determinant of growth and development. Physical surroundings and geographical location are some of the environmental factors influencing early childhood development (Devakumar et al., 2018). For example, good schools and loving families help children to build strong social and interpersonal skills. Safety environment away from pollutants enhances the healthy growth of children.
Lifestyle
The lifestyles of individuals can either improve or deteriorate their health. In the same way, children may be affected by a poor lifestyle. For example, poor diet, lack of sleep, and lack of exercise lead to reduced child’s ability to concentrate, reduced memory, and increased levels of stress (Devakumar et al., 2018). Sedentary life is associated with various challenges that can have a detrimental impact on growth.
Health Care Practices
Healthcare has a significant role to ensure the proper growth and development of children. Family nurses and other caregivers are responsible for the proper growth (Kirby & Verbiest, 2022). Health practices such as vaccination, timely care, and access to good medicine improve the growth and development of children.
The relationship between culture and growth and development
One’s culture can have a significant influence on their growth and development. For example, cultural beliefs regarding conventional medicine may impact access to care and may have a negative influence on healthcare practices such as vaccination (Devakumar et al., 2018). These beliefs will in turn impact the growth and development of children. For instance, if they fail to get vaccinated, their growth and development will be compromised.
A teaching plan for parents regarding injury prevention during infancy
- Assess the environment of parents and educate them uniquely based on the environment in which they live.
- Identify some of the most common sources of injury and how to avoid them.
- Educate parents/guardians regarding first aid skills they can apply when children are involved in accidents or any manner of injury.
Conclusion
Children’s well-being is a fundamental concern in healthcare. Family nurses like G.K are doing a great job to improve children’s well-being. Various factors influencing children’s growth have been discussed alongside educational concerns to improve their health.
References
Devakumar, D., In Hall, J., In Qureshi, Z., & In Lawn, J. (2018). Oxford textbook of global health of women, newborns, children, and adolescents. Oxford University Press.
Kirby, R. S., & In Verbiest, S. (2022). Kotch’s maternal and child health: Problems, programs, and policy in public health. Jones & Bartlett Learning.