Nurses have been playing an integral role in ensuring patients’ welfare. One way they use to achieve better healthcare is through alerting individuals at risk of given diseases through the incorporation of genetic information. There are several implications of genetic and genomic in drug abuse. Genomic technologies can be used to explore how genes interact with the environment to influence addiction risk. Similarly, the impact of drug abuse on one’s health and well-being may be influenced by genetics. Conversely, genomics and genetics laboratory results-interpretation knowledge is expected to help nurses treat and advise patients appropriately. Through genetic and genomic knowledge, nurses can observe physical symptoms and family history and advice the patient on which lifestyle to avoid to be safe. On the other hand, the genetic test shows the patients at high depression risk, thus helping in designing better treatment plans for such persons. Therefore, genetics and genetics knowledge are important since they help nurses in structuring better healthcare services to patients.
Achieving Improved Patient Outcome through Genetic Information Incorporation
Nurses play a critical role in achieving improved patient outcomes by incorporating genomic information into practice. Genomic information can help nurses identify patients who are at risk for specific diseases, as well as those who may benefit from preventative interventions. Nurses also use genomic information to develop more personalized care plans for patients (Kentwell et al., 2017). In sum, incorporating genomic information into practice is essential for nurses in their quest to achieve the highest level of quality health care for their patients.
A nurse can also begin to incorporate genomic information into practice to achieve this improvement of patient outcomes and quality care through learning about a patient’s genetic background and family history. Learning family history and the genetic background will enable nurses to assess risk factors and the potential for developing certain diseases. Nurses can also assess each patient’s genetic profile or ask patients about their family’s medical history to help determine if they are at risk for certain diseases (Kentwell et al., 2017). Conclusively, nurses can identify patients who are at risk for specific diseases and discuss with them preventative interventions, and provide education about genetic testing and its potential benefits.
Implications for Genetics and Genomics in Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is a complex problem that has a variety of contributing factors, including genetic and environmental influences. Genes are thought to play a role in vulnerability to addiction, and recent advances in genomic technology are helping researchers to identify the specific genes that contribute to this risk. Genomic technology can also be used to study how genes interact with environmental factors to increase or decrease the risk of addiction (Deak & Johnson, 2021). This information can help researchers develop new interventions and treatments for substance abuse and addiction. Similarly, genetic differences can influence the response to substance use. Some individuals may be more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors, such as binge drinking. Again, genetic differences can influence the effects of substance use on health and well-being (Deak & Johnson, 2021). Some individuals may be more vulnerable to certain adverse effects of alcohol, such as liver damage, while others may be more vulnerable to adverse effects of illicit drugs, such as HIV infection or overdose death. For example, some people may respond better than others to medications for addiction and other behavioral interventions.
Expected Knowledge for Discharge Planning and Patients Education
A patient’s genetics and genomics knowledge is used in discharge planning and patient education to ensure that the patient understands their diagnosis, treatment plan, and any potential risks. The patient’s genetics and genomics knowledge can also be used to provide information about their family history and how it may impact their health (Marchant et al., 2020). This information can help the patient make informed decisions about their health and future. When it comes to genetics and genomics knowledge, nurses should be able to understand the patient’s lab results and explain what they mean in terms of the patient’s diagnosis and care. Nurses should also be able to educate patients on their genetic test results, medications, and treatments. In addition, nurses should be familiar with available resources for patients and families who want to learn more about genetics and genomics.
Genetics and genomics knowledge is expected for patient education because patients need to be able to understand the basics of what the doctors are telling them. They also need to be able to ask questions and understand the answers in order to make informed decisions about our health. Genetics is the study of how inheritable traits are passed from parents to their children (Mahon, 2017). Genomics is the study of all of a person’s genes, including their DNA sequence and the proteins that they encode. Through genetics and genomics knowledge, nurses can explain to patients why some people get sick and others do not, why some medicines work for some people but not others, and how diseases develop over time.
Genetics and Genomics Impact on Patient Nurse’s Assessment
Genetics and genomics will have a significant impact on the nurse’s assessment of the patient. The most direct impact will be in the physical assessment, where nurses will be able to detect genetic abnormalities and variations that may predispose patients to certain diseases. Through physical assessment, the nurses will be able to determine if the child is susceptible to certain diseases and screen them accordingly (Marchant et al., 2020). An example here would be examining children with sickle-cell disease and looking for evidence of dehydration. Nurses will also need to be aware of patients’ family histories, as this information can help identify patterns of disease that may run in families.
A patient’s family history is an important part of their genetics and genomics assessment. Family history can provide information about a patient’s risk for developing certain diseases, and it can also help to identify genetic disorders that may be passed down within a family (Campion et al., 2019). Genetic disorders can often be diagnosed by looking at a patient’s family history. Genetic disorders can also be inherited in a dominant or recessive manner, so it is important to know about all of the patients’ relatives (Mahon, 2017). And finally, nurses will need to pay close attention to patients’ symptoms, as many genetic disorders do not present with any clear warning signs.
Genetics and Genomics Knowledge and Psychosocial Aspects
Genetics and genomics will have a profound impact on the psychosocial aspects of patient assessment and counseling. In the past, it was assumed that most psychological traits were largely determined by the environment. However, advances in genetics and genomics are now revealing that many psychological traits are actually influenced by genetic factors (Seesahai et al., 2021). This knowledge is already beginning to impact social policy as lawmakers and researchers begin to grapple with the implications of genetic testing for psychological traits such as intelligence, aggression, and vulnerability to mental illness.
It is important for healthcare professionals to be aware of these developments so they can provide accurate information and counseling to patients who are considering genetic testing or who have received positive test results. Patients may need support as they come to terms with the unexpected results of a genetic test and the diagnosis of a medical condition.
References
Campion, M., Goldgar, C., Hopkin, R. J., Prows, C. A., & Dasgupta, S. (2019). Genomic education for the next generation of healthcare providers. Genetics in Medicine, 21(11), 2422-2430. Web.
Deak, J., & Johnson, E. (2021). Genetics of substance use disorders: A review. Psychological Medicine, 51(13), 2189-2200. Web.
Kentwell, M., Dow, E., Antill, Y., Wrede, C. D., McNally, O., Higgs, E., Hamilton, A., Ananda, S., Lindeman, G. J., & Scott, C. L. (2017). Mainstreaming cancer genetics: A model integrating germline BRCA testing into routine ovarian cancer clinics. Gynecologic Oncology, 145(1), 130-136. Web.
Mahon S. M. (2017). Genetics and genomics: An oncology nurse’s journey in practice. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 21(6), 5-23. Web.
Marchant, G., Barnes, M., Evans, J. P., LeRoy, B., & Wolf, S. M. (2020). From genetics to genomics: facing the liability implications in clinical care. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 48(1), 11-43. Web.
Seesahai, J., Luther, M., Church, P. T., Maddalena, P., Asztalos, E., Rotter, T., & Banihani, R. (2021). The assessment of general movements in term and late-preterm infants diagnosed with neonatal encephalopathy, as a predictive tool of cerebral palsy by 2 years of age-a scoping review. Systematic Reviews, 10(1), 1-13. Web.