health screening

Question 1

what is the purpose of screening

Answer 1

identification of people, populations with high probability of having/ developing a particular disease
- referral for definite diagnosis
- identifies risk factors in a population
- implementation of preventative measures and strategies

Question 2

mass or unselective screening

Answer 2

screening entire populations/ settings/ whole community is screened
- breast screening for women aged 45-69
- infant heelprick for metabolic disorders

Question 2

mass or unselective screening

Answer 2

screening entire populations/ settings/ whole community is screened
- breast screening for women aged 45-69
- infant heelprick for metabolic disorders

Question 3

selective/ targeted screening

Answer 3

targets high risk groups
eg. high risk groups for osteoporosis with bone density testing
- post menopausal women not taking estrogen

Question 4

multi purpose screening

Answer 4

more than one condition tested for at once for large gp
e.g antinatal: full bloof count, rubella, HIV
well-chil Tamariki ora check

Question 5

multi phasic screening

Answer 5

more than one test used at the same time to check for same disease
e.g screening for gestational diabetes
HbA1c, fasting blood sugar, oral glucose tolerance test

Question 6

what conditions do we screen for in nz

Answer 6

• breast cancer
• cervical cancer
• STI
• covid

what kind of tests
- scans
- smear
- swabs
- mammograms
- bloods
- questionnaires

what to consider before starting to screen
- privacy
- is it something we should be screening

Question 7

3 components to screening considerations

Answer 7

1. disease considerations
   - the disease is relatively serious
   - an effective treatment is available for the disease
   - early diagnosis and treatment make a difference in terms of outcome
2. test considerations
   - the screening test is sensitive to detect most cases of the disease
   - the test is specific enough to exclude most other causes of positive results
   - it doesn’t cost much and is easy to administer
3. target group considerations
   - the target group is readily identifiable
   - the target group is accessible
   - the test is appropriate to the target group

Question 8

the nurses role in screening

Answer 8

• the nurse may be involved in the start in decision making
• nurses have been involved in initiating, encouraging participation and conducting health screening in NZ for several years- BP, cholesterol, blood glucose, vision and hearing, developmental assessments, CVA, PHQ, STI and cervical smear

the nurse needs to know
- full knowledge of the test
- the meaning of the test
- the limitations of the test

be ready to;
- provide appropriate health education
- provide follow up advice and support