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Disease Screenings

Screenings are tests used to detect suspected health issues or illnesses in people who are asymptomatic. The idea is to make changes and improvements to a patient’s lifestyle before the disease develops. They may also detect threats early on, lowering the disease’s risk. Early discovery improves prognosis, care, and management of the disease. As a result, the patient’s quality of life improves. Screenings do not diagnose disease; rather, they provide information to the provider regarding probable diagnoses as well as the patient’s overall health and prospective health risks. They may aid and direct patients to more accurate tests in order to identify a disease or other health issues. This can improve a patient’s quality of life and help them live longer. Screenings are possible at any level. They might be done out at a clinic or in a hospital. Some screenings are simple, while others may necessitate the use of specialized equipment. Screenings aren’t always reliable, and additional testing may be required. Furthermore, if a patient is not actually at risk for the condition, the results may be irrelevant.

One common disease screening is for colon cancer, which is based on this patient’s age and gender. Regular screening for people at average risk of colorectal cancer can begin as early as age 45 (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2018). A stool test or a colonoscopy can be used to determine this. Precancerous polyps in the colon or rectum are a common cause of colorectal cancer. Screening tests can detect precancerous polyps. Before they turn into cancer, polyps can be removed. Colorectal cancer can also be detected early by screening tests, allowing for therapy or intervention. Those who have abnormal colonoscopies should be followed up on more frequently, within 5 years (Hubert & VanMeter, 2018). When working with patients, I’ve discovered that they may be apprehensive about having a colonoscopy. They are less hesitant about the intervention after it is clearly described to them, and they are more likely to have it done.

There are many other screenings described by the American Academy of Family Physicians. (2018) that are necessary for a female 65 years of age and older which outlined below. One of the screenings necessary for this patient is blood pressure screening, which assesses a patient’s blood pressure at least once every year to detect if they have hypertension when systolic is above 150 mmHg and/or the diastolic is above 90 mmHg. This patient would also need to get breast cancer screening and have a mammogram done every one to two years until the age of 75. Since the patient has not seen any provider in the past 10 years it is important to get a Pap smear for cervical cancer screening. For the general population after the age of 65, most women who have not been diagnosed with cervical cancer or pre-cancer can stop having Pap smears as long as they have had three negative tests within the past 10 years (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2018). Cholesterol screening and heart disease prevention are also necessary for this patient, this can be done by checking cholesterol levels in a lipid panel blood test annually. The patient should be screened for diabetes every three years with a blood A1C level. Since the patient has no past medical history, she does not need to be screened for lung cancer or hepatitis C. All women, including this patient, over the age of 65 should have a bone density test (i.e. DEXA scan) done to detect osteoporosis. Along with a physical exam, an eye exam, dental exam, and hearing exam should also be performed at appropriate clinics. It is important to receive the patient’s past immunization history as well to determine if the patient needs shingles, pneumococcal, a tetanus booster, and/or influenza vaccines.

If a patient is hesitant to participate in screenings, I would explain the risks and advantages to them as a professional. Patients may be afraid of the consequences of learning about their disease and refuse to learn about it. Patients may be more inclined to participate in screening if it is noninvasive and rapid. The nurse practitioner can identify and assist in the modification of health risk factors, as well as provide the best advice to patients. A positive patient-provider relationship may influence a patient’s decision to finish testing (Tracy, 2019). Screening can be encouraged by providing education and community outreach initiatives. This may require a little public health and the presence and participation of providers in their communities. At-risk people can be reached through social gatherings such as churches and reading clubs. Going to senior centers can be beneficial for the elderly population in terms of educating them on what kind of care they require. Providers can help empower community members by assisting patient care providers and community health professionals. Overall, the clinician and the patient can collaborate to make the best decision possible.

References

American Academy of Family Physicians. (2018, June 1). Adult Preventive Health Care Schedule: Recommendations from the USPSTF. AAFP. https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/journals/a…

Hubert, R. J., & VanMeter, K. (2018). Gould’s pathophysiology for the health professions (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Hubert, R. J., & VanMeter, K. (2018). Elsevier.

Tracy, M. F. (2019). Advanced practice nursing: An integrative approach (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders.