Which weekly objectives do you have prior knowledge of and to what extent?
Each topic section, with topics 1-3 I feel comfortable with, most comfortable with topic 3. Topics 1-3 I have done clinical in the RN program for that group so I have some understanding of the basic knowledge of how to approach the type of patients. I do have some interest cardio/ TELE nurse, its something that I find interesting, and I enjoy learning about it.
Which weekly objectives do you have no prior knowledge of
I have no prior knowledge in MICU/SICU or emergency medicine. I am not fully comfortable caring for patients in critical care unit, that is too advance for me. hopefully one day once i have gained the knowledge.
What course-related topics would you like to discuss with your instructor and classmates? What questions or concerns do you have about this course?
I feel comfortable with topics 1-3, I would like to discuss infections, case management also how the new generation views nursing.
Academic engagement through active participation in instructional activities related to the course objectives is paramount to your success in this course and future courses. Through interaction with your instructor and classmates, you will explore the course material and be provided with the best opportunity for objective and competency mastery. To begin this class, review the course objectives for each Topic, and then answer the following questions as this will help guide your instructor for course instruction.
Which weekly objectives do you have prior knowledge of and to what extent?
Which weekly objectives do you have no prior knowledge of?
What course-related topics would you like to discuss with your instructor and classmates? What questions or concerns do you have about this course?
Topic 1 DQ 1
Premature birth and low birth weight are significant contributors to infant mortality in the United States, and they also result in substantial healthcare expenditures and service costs each year (CA Dept of Public Health, 2016). Several factors can contribute to the birth of low birth weight (LBW) babies. Some causes include: maternal smoking or alcohol consumption during pregnancy, inadequate weight gain during pregnancy, and maternal age below 15 or above 35 years (CDC, 2020). Compared to infants with normal birth weight, LBW infants are more susceptible to various health problems (CDC, 2020). Some may experience illnesses or infections within the first six days of life, while others may encounter long-term challenges such as delayed motor and social development or learning disabilities (CDC, 2020).
Short-term complications for LBW babies often involve respiratory difficulties, feeding issues, and poor muscle tone. Fortunately, these complications generally resolve over time as the infants grow and their bodies catch up with their developmental needs.
On the other hand, long-term complications may not be immediately apparent at birth and can manifest as developmental delays and disabilities. LBW babies face an increased risk of hearing loss and neurological disorders due to delayed development, which may become apparent later in their childhood. Additionally, these infants may also be prone to behavioral and psychological issues such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Socioeconomic factors, including low income, low educational level, stress, domestic violence, and being unmarried, contribute to the risk of having LBW babies (CDC, 2020). A study conducted by the University of Washington School of Public Health discovered that among certain racial and ethnic groups, women born outside the United States had a lower risk of giving birth to LBW babies compared to their native-born counterparts, even after accounting for common pregnancy complications (Abramo & Enquobahrie, 2017). Filipino, Asian Indian, and non-Hispanic black women had the highest incidences of LBW, ranging from 6.8 to 7.6 percent of births, while Chinese, Korean, and non-Hispanic white women had the lowest incidences, ranging from 3.4 to 3.7 percent of births (Abramo & Enquobahrie, 2017). Notably, Asian women born in East Asia, non-Hispanic black women from Sub-Saharan Africa, and non-Hispanic white women from other developed countries exhibited lower incidences of LBW compared to women of the same racial and ethnic groups born in the United States (Abramo & Enquobahrie, 2017).
In researching available resources for families of LBW infants, I discovered a program called The Early Start, which is available in our area. Early Start is California’s response to federal legislation aimed at ensuring coordinated and family-centered services for eligible infants and toddlers (Tri-Counties Regional Center, 2020). It is a statewide system providing early intervention services for children aged birth to 36 months (Tri-Counties Regional Center, 2023). Each eligible child is assigned a Service Coordinator responsible for coordinating early intervention services (Tri-Counties Regional Center, 2023). Eligible children and their families can receive various early intervention services, including infant stimulation, physical, occupational, and speech/language therapy, behavior services, and family resource centers for parent-to-parent support (Tri-Counties Regional Center, 2023). Services for young children are designed to be family-centered, based on the concerns, priorities, and resources of the family, and provided in the child’s natural environment (Tri-Counties Regional Center, 2023). The following link will provide you with more information: https://www.tri-counties.org/wp-content/uploads/phocadownload/earlystart-flyer-2015.pdf
References:
Abramo, A., & Enquobahrie, D. (2017, March 28). Racial and ethnic disparities in low birth weight differ by maternal birthplace. Retrieved from https://sph.washington.edu/news-events/news/racial-and-ethnic-disparities-low-birth-weight-differ-maternal-birthplace
CA Dept of Public Health. (2016). Infants Born at Low Birthweight. Retrieved from https://www.kidsdata.org/topic/301/low-birthweight/table#fmt=91&loc=2,127,347,1763,331,348,336,171,321,345,357,332,324,369,358,362,360,337,327,364,356,217,353,328,354,323,352,320,339,334,365,343,330,367,344,355,366,368,265,349,361,4,273,59,370,326,333,322,341,338,350,342,329,325,359,351,363,340,335&tf=88
(CDC), (2020, October 21). Reproductive and Birth Outcomes. Retrieved from https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/showRbLBWGrowthRetardationEnv.action
Tri-Counties Regional Center. (2023, June 6). Early Start Services. Retrieved from https://www.tri-counties.org/early-start-services/
