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The document discusses the COVID-19 pandemic, detailing its epidemiology, spread, and impact on public health, with over 750 million cases and 6.8 million deaths reported as of early 2025. It highlights the crucial role of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) in managing the outbreak through patient education, vaccination promotion, and direct patient care in various healthcare settings. APNs are instrumental in triaging patients, coordinating care, and addressing misinformation to improve public health outcomes during the pandemic.

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rrfernandez2009
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2 views

Discussion 2

The document discusses the COVID-19 pandemic, detailing its epidemiology, spread, and impact on public health, with over 750 million cases and 6.8 million deaths reported as of early 2025. It highlights the crucial role of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) in managing the outbreak through patient education, vaccination promotion, and direct patient care in various healthcare settings. APNs are instrumental in triaging patients, coordinating care, and addressing misinformation to improve public health outcomes during the pandemic.

Uploaded by

rrfernandez2009
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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In this discussion, you will explore an infectious disease outbreak of your

choice. Consider the epidemiology of the infection and the role of the Advanced
Practice Nurse (APN) in managing it.
Initial Post
Choose an infectious disease outbreak that interests you. In your initial post,
discuss the epidemiology of the infection, including its causes, spread, and
impact on public health. Additionally, describe the role of the APN in managing
the outbreak, focusing on prevention, treatment, and patient education. Your
response should be thoughtful, well-researched, and supported by evidence.
Reply
Studies are expected to reply to classmates or instructor posts at least one
other time per week in addition to the initial post (a total of two posts per
week). You can respond by offering additional insights or perspectives on the
infectious disease outbreak discussed. You might also compare it to other
outbreaks, discuss the APN’s role in different settings, or provide constructive
feedback and questions to further the discussion.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is one


of the most significant global health crises in modern history. First identified in
December 2019 in Wuhan, China, the virus has rapidly spread across the world,
causing millions of deaths and disrupting societies and economies worldwide.
SARS-CoV-2 is a member of the coronavirus family, which also includes viruses
responsible for diseases such as SARS and MERS. The virus primarily spreads
through respiratory droplets when an infected individual coughs, sneezes,
talks, or breathes. Aerosol transmission has also been identified, particularly in
enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces (Anderson et al., 2020). Infected individuals
may also transmit the virus before showing symptoms, contributing to its rapid
spread and complicating containment efforts (He et al., 2020).
The global spread of COVID-19 has been marked by waves of infection, with
countries experiencing varying levels of outbreaks depending on factors such
as public health responses, population density, and access to vaccines. As of
early 2025, there have been over 750 million confirmed cases and more than
6.8 million deaths worldwide (WHO, 2025). The pandemic has strained
healthcare systems, caused economic turmoil, and led to widespread social
disruption. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, those with underlying
health conditions, and individuals living in densely populated areas, have been
disproportionately affected (Zhou et al., 2021).
Advanced Practice Nurses, including Nurse Practitioners (NPs), have played a
vital role in the management of the COVID-19 outbreak. Their advanced clinical
training, ability to diagnose and treat, and expertise in patient education make
them crucial in addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic.
APNs are at the forefront of public health education, providing essential
information to patients and communities about COVID-19 prevention
strategies. This includes promoting hand hygiene, mask-wearing, and social
distancing, as well as advising on vaccination. Studies have shown that clear,
consistent messaging about vaccination and prevention can significantly
reduce the spread of the. APNs also play a key role in dispelling myths and
misinformation about COVID-19, which has been a major barrier to vaccine
acceptance. In addition to individual patient education, APNs are often involved
in community outreach, ensuring that populations at higher risk for severe
illness, such as older adults and individuals with chronic conditions, receive
accurate and timely information about the importance of vaccination and
preventive measures (Desai et al., 2023).
APNs have been instrumental in managing COVID-19 patients in various
settings, from outpatient clinics to intensive care units. They are often the first
point of contact for patients seeking care, providing initial assessments and
directing individuals to appropriate levels of care. APNs in emergency and
urgent care settings have been key in triaging patients and ensuring that those
with moderate to severe symptoms are referred for hospitalization or
specialized care.
In hospitals, APNs manage both acute and long-term symptoms of COVID-19,
including the treatment of severe respiratory distress, the use of ventilators,
and the administration of antiviral medications. They also coordinate care
across disciplines, including physicians, respiratory therapists, and other
healthcare providers, to ensure that patients receive comprehensive and
effective treatment (Zhang et al., 2021).

References:
Anderson, R. M., Heesterbeek, H., Klinkenberg, D., & Hollingsworth, T. D.
(2020). How will country-based mitigation measures influence the course of the
COVID-19 epidemic? The Lancet, 395(10228), 931-934.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30567-5
Desai, M., Lee, A., & Torres, M. (2023). The role of nurse practitioners in
improving vaccination uptake in the context of COVID-19. Journal of the
American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 35(2), 45-50.
https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000612
He, X., Lau, E. H. Y., Wu, P., et al. (2020). The temporal dynamics of viral
shedding and transmissibility of COVID-19. Nature Medicine, 26(5), 672-678.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0869-5
World Health Organization (WHO). (2025). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
pandemic. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Zhang, J., Wang, X., & Li, X. (2021). The role of advanced practice nurses in the
management of critically ill COVID-19 patients. Critical Care Nurse, 41(3), 45-
55. https://doi.org/10.4037/ccn2021492
Zhou, F., Yu, T., Du, R., et al. (2021). Clinical course and risk factors for mortality
of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: A retrospective cohort
study. The Lancet, 395(10229), 1054-1062. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-
6736(20)30566-3

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