Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR503
Course Concepts and Terminology
The following table contains concepts and terminology related to NR503. It is not meant to be
an all-inclusive list. The words/concepts are in no particular order. It is a learning strategy or
tool to use to assist with your learning in NR503. You are not required to submit this tool for
grading, it is for your own use.
The definitions can be found in the course Canvas readings, course textbook, from the CDC and
HP2020, for example.
Concept / Terminology Definitions
1. Epidemiol Week 1
ogy Epidemiology is the study of disease distribution within populations
and the risk factors that affect increases or decreases in distribution.
These factors might be genetic, environmental, social, cultural, or
based on some direct action by the individual. The science of
epidemiology serves first to find out the "why" of disease and then to
analyze these factors for recommendations in disease screening,
treatment, prevention, and monitoring.
The science of public health.
Understanding population disease lends to the clinician being able
to enact proper screening, prevention, diagnostic, and therapeutic
plans for patients. Epidemiology is one of the most important bases
for all healthcare research and evidence-based decision making.
For example, how does the ANP answer a patient who smokes and
has hypertension when asks about the risk of myocardial infarction
or stroke? Where would information to support the APN's response
be found, and what type of research was undertaken to determine
that answer? Is the source of evidence reliable, and was the
research conducted appropriately to find the correct population and
disease data to support the answer? Epidemiology serves as the
foundation for the answers to these questions and begins, in its
most simple format, as astute observation.
2. Populatio Week 1
n Health Population health obligates healthcare professionals to implement standard
interventions, based on the best research evidence, to improve the health of
targeted groups of people. It also obligates nurses to discover new and
effective strategies for providing care and promoting health. Interventions
at the population level have the potential to improve overall health across
communities.
Focus on assessing risk, data and demographics for large groups
3. Racism
, 4. Cultural
Broker
5. Cultural
Congruen
ce
6. CLAS
Standards
7. HP2020 Week1
Healthy People 2020 is a national document with agreed-upon
national objectives that guides and assists APNs to focus on and
identify levels of population healthcare for persons across the life
span. There is clearly a strong and compelling linkage between
epidemiological concepts, the three levels of prevention, and the
goals of Healthy People 2020. The study and application of
epidemiological principles enables the APN to make
comprehensive, evidence-based clinical decisions for patients and
populations.
8. Determina
nts of
Health
9. Surveillan
ce
Systems
10. Screening
(tools)
11. Primary Week 2
Preventio Primary prevention refers to preventing disease before it occurs.
n Usually, primary prevention occurs through application of
epidemiological concepts and databases to assess risk factors and
then target those populations in which there can be the greatest
impact on outcomes to ward off impending disease or unhealthy
outcomes. For example, if the APN has assessed epidemiological
data and observes that there is a high incidence and prevalence of
lung cancer in those individuals and populations who smoke before
the fifth grade, then this epidemiological data can be the basis for
planning a smoking cessation educational program for school-age
children before the fifth grade.
12. Secondary
Preventio
n
13. Tertiary
Preventio
n
14. IHI
NR503
Course Concepts and Terminology
The following table contains concepts and terminology related to NR503. It is not meant to be
an all-inclusive list. The words/concepts are in no particular order. It is a learning strategy or
tool to use to assist with your learning in NR503. You are not required to submit this tool for
grading, it is for your own use.
The definitions can be found in the course Canvas readings, course textbook, from the CDC and
HP2020, for example.
Concept / Terminology Definitions
1. Epidemiol Week 1
ogy Epidemiology is the study of disease distribution within populations
and the risk factors that affect increases or decreases in distribution.
These factors might be genetic, environmental, social, cultural, or
based on some direct action by the individual. The science of
epidemiology serves first to find out the "why" of disease and then to
analyze these factors for recommendations in disease screening,
treatment, prevention, and monitoring.
The science of public health.
Understanding population disease lends to the clinician being able
to enact proper screening, prevention, diagnostic, and therapeutic
plans for patients. Epidemiology is one of the most important bases
for all healthcare research and evidence-based decision making.
For example, how does the ANP answer a patient who smokes and
has hypertension when asks about the risk of myocardial infarction
or stroke? Where would information to support the APN's response
be found, and what type of research was undertaken to determine
that answer? Is the source of evidence reliable, and was the
research conducted appropriately to find the correct population and
disease data to support the answer? Epidemiology serves as the
foundation for the answers to these questions and begins, in its
most simple format, as astute observation.
2. Populatio Week 1
n Health Population health obligates healthcare professionals to implement standard
interventions, based on the best research evidence, to improve the health of
targeted groups of people. It also obligates nurses to discover new and
effective strategies for providing care and promoting health. Interventions
at the population level have the potential to improve overall health across
communities.
Focus on assessing risk, data and demographics for large groups
3. Racism
, 4. Cultural
Broker
5. Cultural
Congruen
ce
6. CLAS
Standards
7. HP2020 Week1
Healthy People 2020 is a national document with agreed-upon
national objectives that guides and assists APNs to focus on and
identify levels of population healthcare for persons across the life
span. There is clearly a strong and compelling linkage between
epidemiological concepts, the three levels of prevention, and the
goals of Healthy People 2020. The study and application of
epidemiological principles enables the APN to make
comprehensive, evidence-based clinical decisions for patients and
populations.
8. Determina
nts of
Health
9. Surveillan
ce
Systems
10. Screening
(tools)
11. Primary Week 2
Preventio Primary prevention refers to preventing disease before it occurs.
n Usually, primary prevention occurs through application of
epidemiological concepts and databases to assess risk factors and
then target those populations in which there can be the greatest
impact on outcomes to ward off impending disease or unhealthy
outcomes. For example, if the APN has assessed epidemiological
data and observes that there is a high incidence and prevalence of
lung cancer in those individuals and populations who smoke before
the fifth grade, then this epidemiological data can be the basis for
planning a smoking cessation educational program for school-age
children before the fifth grade.
12. Secondary
Preventio
n
13. Tertiary
Preventio
n
14. IHI
