Part 1: Health Teaching Infographic
Create a health teaching infographic. You may choose your own topic for this assignment based on your personal interests. choose a disease/ illness and explain its pharmacological treatment using your infographic as a health teaching tool. Infographics are a visual representation of information, using pictures, graphs, and brief written content. They are useful in displaying a large amount information in an entertaining and eye-catching manner that make it easy for the reader to digest and absorb. Infographic must be created online, and should be no larger than 1 page. You may not use any part of an infographic that has already been created for your topic. Please ensure you maintain academic integrity and reference your research. Ensure you are providing in text citations as well as a reference page.
Get creative!
Infographic must include:
• Brief etiology of disease of choice
• Risk factors for developing disease
• Signs/ symptoms of disease
• Common classifications of medications used for this clinical indication
- Should note 3 main classifications of drugs to treat your illness
- Choose one drug in the identified classification and present the following:
• Mechanism of action
• Therapeutic responses
• Adverse reactions
• What symptoms to immediately report
• Necessary safety information
• Special monitoring (if applicable)
- Lab monitoring, serum levels - be specific and note the values
Helpful resources of how to create an infographic:
• https://www.canva.com/create/infographics/
• https://www.copypress.com/kb/infographics/how-to-make-infographics-with-powerpoint-2/
Part 2: Health Teaching Questions
Consider using your Health Teaching Infographic as a tool to provide education to your clients. For this portion of the assignment, please answer the questions noted in the below section. Ensure you are using full sentences and referencing where your information is coming from. You should be using references that pertain to teaching and learning. Acceptable sources are your textbook (Canadian Fundamentals of Nursing by Potter et al., 6th Edition) and online nursing journals that can be accessed through the library. At least two references should be from a nursing journal and pertain to teaching and learning. Ensure you are using in-text citations, these must be noted on your reference page. Your answers to these questions should not be longer than one page, double spaced. Be thorough and concise with your responses!
Health Teaching Questions
1) Who is this information intended for?
2) What client assessments would you complete before delivering your health teaching?
3) How can using your infographic as a health education tool benefit the client?
4) How will you know that learning has occurred?
Full Answer Section
The exact cause of hypertension is unknown, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some people are simply more genetically predisposed to developing hypertension than others. Environmental factors that can contribute to hypertension include:
- Obesity or overweight: Excess weight puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure.
- Lack of physical activity: Exercise helps to lower blood pressure by strengthening the heart and blood vessels.
- Unhealthy diet: Eating a diet high in salt, saturated and trans fats, and cholesterol can increase blood pressure.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol can raise blood pressure by damaging the blood vessels and causing the heart to beat faster and harder.
- Smoking: Smoking damages the blood vessels and makes them narrower, which can lead to high blood pressure.
- Certain medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea, can increase the risk of developing hypertension.
Risk Factors
The following risk factors can increase your chance of developing hypertension:
- Age: The risk of developing hypertension increases with age.
- Family history: If you have a family history of hypertension, you are more likely to develop it yourself.
- Race and ethnicity: African Americans are more likely to develop hypertension than people of other races and ethnicities.
- Gender: Men are more likely to develop hypertension than women, but women's risk increases after menopause.
- Socioeconomic status: People with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to develop hypertension.
Signs and Symptoms
Hypertension is often called the "silent killer" because it often has no signs or symptoms. However, some people with hypertension may experience the following symptoms:
- Headaches
- Nosebleeds
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
Classification of Medications
There are a number of different medications that can be used to treat hypertension. The type of medication that is right for you will depend on your individual needs and other medical conditions.
Some of the most common medications used to treat hypertension include:
- Diuretics: Diuretics, also known as water pills, help to lower blood pressure by causing the kidneys to excrete more sodium and water.
- Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers work by slowing down the heart rate and reducing the force with which the heart beats.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: ACE inhibitors work by blocking the production of angiotensin II, a hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow.
- Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs): ARBs work by blocking the effects of angiotensin II on blood vessels.
- Calcium channel blockers: Calcium channel blockers work by relaxing the blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow.
In some cases, a combination of two or more medications may be needed to lower blood pressure to a healthy level.
Lifestyle Changes
In addition to taking medication, there are a number of lifestyle changes that you can make to help manage your hypertension. These changes include:
- Eating a healthy diet: Eat a diet that is low in salt, saturated and trans fats, and cholesterol. Focus on eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Losing weight: If you are overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight can help to lower your blood pressure.
- Exercising regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
- Limiting alcohol consumption: Men should limit themselves to two drinks per day and women should limit themselves to one drink per day.
- Quitting smoking: Smoking damages the blood vessels and makes them narrower, which can lead to high blood pressure. Quitting smoking can help to lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of other health problems.
If you have hypertension, it is important to see your doctor regularly to monitor your blood pressure and make sure that your treatment plan is working.
Sample Answer
Infographic Topic: Hypertension
Etiology
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure is elevated. Normal blood pressure is considered to be less than 120/80 mmHg. Hypertension is diagnosed when blood pressure is consistently 130/80 mmHg or higher.