Answer 3 for DNP 810 Why is it important to have a comprehensive health and physical assessment that includes information on environment and genomic influences?

Environmental considerations affect the quality of life, health years, and health disparities. Any physical, chemical, or biological factors external to an individual as defined by the World Health Organization (Thomas, 2016). Protecting a person’s environmental health is the prevention or control of injuries and disabilities that may occur due to their interactions with these environmental factors. Thus, the control or maintenance of the hygiene of the environment will increase the quality and the years of life. Specific environmental factors include exposure to hazardous materials in air, water, soil, and food, natural and technological disasters, climate change, and occupational hazards. If controlled, they may reduce the probability of exposure and disease (HealthyPeople.gov, 2020). Hence, including information on environmental influences in a health and physical assessment gives practitioners a more overall picture of a person’s risk for developing diseases when viewed in combination with genomic influences.

DNP nurses can integrate environmental information and the genomic influences of physical and health assessment in the patient care plan. Armed with environmental and genomic information, the DNP nurse can assist the patient by recommending environmental modifications to positively impact their health, illness, or disease. They can steer patients towards changes in their environmental relationships that will support their health.

Reference

Environmental conditions. Environmental Conditions | Healthy People 2020. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-health/interventions-resources/environmental

Thomas, A. (2016). Environmental Public Health Week. Environmental Health Review, 59(4), 112–112. https://doi.org/10.5864/d2016-030