Hello Dr. G and classmates,

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) 

The reason I selected Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) as a focus of interest is rooted in my early experiences working in the emergency department. During the beginning of my career, I frequently encountered patients living with SCD, many of whom were experiencing a sickle cell crisis. They sought treatment and relief through IV therapy and pain management. One of the first patients I provided direct care for in the ED had SCD, and the profound pain they endured left a lasting impression on me. This experience deeply affected me, particularly when I noticed the contrasting attitudes that some of my peers held toward patients with SCD. According to Brennan-Cook et al. (2019), caring for patients with SCD in the ED is often challenging and is associated with misconceptions, including negative attitudes and judgments about opioid drug-seeking behavior.

The incidence of SCD in the United States is significant, with 1 in 370 Black or African American births affected, and approximately 1 in every 16,300 Hispanic American births. The total prevalence of SCD is estimated to be around 100,000 individuals in the United States (CDC, 2025).

A relevant article that addresses the care of patients with SCD is “A Pilot Study of Nurse Practitioner’s Perceived Competencies and Attitudes toward Patients Living with Sickle Cell Disease” by Vick et al. This study offers valuable insights into the challenges of treating patients with SCD, specifically during a sickle cell crisis. It highlights the concerns that patients often face when seeking treatment and emphasizes the important role nurse practitioners can play in delivering compassionate and competent care for these individuals.

Reference:

Brennan-Cook, J., Bonnabeau, E., Harris-Bloom, H., & Tanabe, P. (2019). Improving the Care of Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease in the Emergency Department Using a Quality Improvement Framework: The Emergency Department Sickle Cell Assessment of Needs and Strengths (ED-SCANS). Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal, 41(3), 261–270. https://doi.org/10.1097/TME.0000000000000256Links to an external site.

Data and Statistics on Sickle Cell Disease | Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) | CDCLinks to an external site.

Vick, L. L., Mitchell, S., Fernandes, P., Tavakoli, A., Samuels, K., & Jenerette, C. (2024). A Pilot Study of Nurse Practitioners’ Perceived Competencies and Attitudes towards Patients Living with Sickle Cell Disease. Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 20(1), 104829-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2023.104829Links to an external site.

Jenny, a 66-year-old retired cook, presents with a vesicular rash on the right side of her face. She experienced pain on that side 2 days ago, but thought it was just a headache. She has been under a lot of stress lately because she is caring for her husband who has Alzheimer’s disease.

Identify one vulnerable population within a selected community. Explore current literature and related data to understand better the variables that place this population at risk for health concerns and health disparities. Analyze national health directives, such as Healthy People 2030 or another national initiative, to determine the correlation to the vulnerable population’s needs/risks/disparities.

1. Create a concept map, either neatly drawn by hand or using Microsoft Word, that portrays each element and its relationships. 
2. Download the Concept Map Summary templateLinks to an external site. to answer the questions related to the concept map scenario. Use of this template is required. If the template is not used, a 10% deduction will be applied. See the rubric. Save the template and include your name in the file name. 
3. Follow APA grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation rules consistent with formal, scholarly writing. 
4. Use APA in-text citations and complete references to support your writing.  
5. Use no more than one short direct quote (15 words or less). 

Discuss your own culture’s pattern of communication using Purnell’s Domains of Culture as a guide. When your personal communication practices differ from what is in the scholarly literature, posit why. See the variant cultural characteristics as a guide. Speak to each one of the following points:

• Identify your cultural ancestry. If you have more than one cultural ancestry, chose the one with which you most closely associate.
• Explore the willingness of individuals in your culture to share thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Identify any area of discussion that would be considered taboo?
• Explore the practice and meaning of touch in your culture. Include information regarding touch between family members, friends, members of the opposite sex, and health-care providers.
• Identify personal spatial and distancing strategies used when communicating with others in your culture. Discuss differences between friends and families versus strangers.
• Discuss your culture’s use of eye contact. Include information regarding practices between family members, friends, strangers, and persons of different age groups.
• Explore the meaning of gestures and facial expressions in your culture. Do specific gestures or facial expressions have special meanings? How are emotions displayed?
• Are there acceptable ways of standing and greeting people in your culture?
• Discuss the prevailing temporal relation of your culture. Is the culture’s worldview past, present, or future-oriented? Temporality also includes punctuality. 
• Discuss the impact of your culture on your nursing and/or health care. Be specific, not something that is very general.

This is a formal post that requires correct grammar, punctuation, and APA format. You do not need to do a running head for this post, nor do you need an abstract. Use the following headings as a template and answer all questions. This post is worth 20 points (20%) of your course grade. Eighteen of the points (18%) are for thorough content in the post. The other 2 points (2%) are allotted for the correct use of APA format for at least three references and three citations in the body of the post. One citation must come from a refereed journal article, one from a textbook, and one from an Internet source.