Identifying Vulnerable Populations

About this course

The nurse’s role as a patient advocate for the vulnerable was first instituted in the early 1850’s by Florence Nightingale. Vulnerability is a general term that identifies susceptibility and one who is at risk for health problems. A vulnerable person is one who is at risk for poor social, psychological, or physical health. Patients within vulnerable populations include (but are not limited to) high-risk mothers and infants, the chronically ill, those afflicted with mental illness, persons who abuse alcohol and other substances, the homeless, those living with HIV and AIDS, those at risk for suicide or homicide, are immigrants, terminally ill, and are illiterate. To be an effective nurse advocate, the nurse must use the 4 stages of advocacy, which include the assessment of needs, identifying the patient’s specific goals, implementation the advocacy plan, and evaluate the outcome of advocacy behaviors.

Learning objectives

• Describe the circumstances that would cause one to be considered part of a vulnerable population.
• Review the various vulnerable populations within various communities.
• Understand the healthcare professionals’ role as a patient advocate for vulnerable persons.

Course outline

24 sections · finish in any order across devices

1. 1

   Introduction

   The healthcare system can be difficult to navigate, and identifying the vulnerable patient is crucial to ensure adequate care is provided. Members of the vulnerable population are at risk for acute and chronic illnesses, and health disparities that can affect socio-economic status, housing, etc. One

   4 min

2. 2

   Vulnerable Populations and Health Disparities

   Vulnerability is a general term that identifies susceptibility and one who is at risk for health problems. A vulnerable person is one who is at risk for poor social, psychological, or physical health. Any person can become vulnerable at any given time; for instance, a patient in an emergency room ma

   4 min

3. 3

   High-Risk Mothers and Infants

   This population is vulnerable because of limited access to healthcare, teenage pregnancy, limited or poor education, and poor prenatal care, allowing susceptibility to infants with low birth weights and infant mortality.

   4 min

4. 4

   Chronic Illness and Disability

   The vulnerable within this population experience higher than normal death rates as a result of heart disease, stroke, and cancer in comparison to the middle class, and have a higher prevalence of suffering from chronic diseases such as arthritis, hypertension, and asthma. African Americans are more

   4 min

5. 5

   Mental Illness

   Mental illness has a broad definition and vulnerability within this population is high because of age-specific disorders, serious emotional disorders, anxiety, and depression. Rates for depression increase for both males and females during adolescence, but rates for depression rise more acutely for

   4 min

6. 6

   Persons Who Abuse Alcohol and Other Substances

   There is a wide array of substances that can be abused, such as alcohol, cigarettes, inhalants, street drugs, and prescription drugs. Substance abuse can lead to accidents, reckless activity, criminal activity, and chronic diseases. Young males are most likely to be a part of this vulnerable populat

   4 min

7. 7

   Persons Who are Homeless

   This vulnerable population is at high risk for lack of healthcare, chronic diseases, and being subject to violence.

   4 min

8. 8

   Persons Living with HIV and AIDS

   As a result of education and increased knowledge about the disease, the rate of HIV and AIDS transmission has decreased. There have also been great strides in treating those afflicted with HIV and AIDS. Although these improvements are apparent, those diagnosed with HIV and AIDS remain a vulnerable p

   4 min

9. 9

   Persons at Risk for Suicide or Homicide

   Although anyone could be a part of this vulnerable population, the rates of suicide and homicide vary by age, sex, and race. Elderly white males are most likely to commit suicide, and young African American and Hispanic males are more likely to be victims of homicide.

   4 min

10. 10

    Abusive Families

    This vulnerable population includes the elderly, children, and spouses (usually women) as they are usually the targets of abuse. Older children of abusive families or more likely to be injured, and female children over the age of 3 are at increased risk for sexual abuse.

    4 min

11. 11

    Immigrants and Refugees

    This population is vulnerable as a result of diversity in languages, food choices, health practices, cultural definitions of health, and previous experiences in westernized healthcare systems.

    4 min

12. 12

    The Terminally Ill

    Nurses have always been at the forefront of palliative treatment and care. Palliative care includes tending to physical comfort and tending to the mental and emotional well-being of the terminally ill patient. The loss of strength, body function control, and the pain and fear of the unknown are heav

    4 min

13. 13

    Immigrant Vulnerability

    Immigration is an ancient phenomenon, and with globalization the phenomenon of immigration is increasing and becoming more diversified. By the year 2050, the immigrant population is expected to be 40% Hispanic, 30% Asian and pacific Islands, 20% non-Hispanic whites, and 10% African or African Americ

    4 min

14. 14

    Nontraditional Vulnerable Populations

    When discussing vulnerable populations in health-related settings, certain groups automatically come to mind. Those groups are usually age specific, of low socioeconomic status, having cognitive or physical impairment, or of an ethnic background. More recently, issues such as sexual preference, gend

    4 min

15. 15

    Vulnerability in Literacy

    Literacy is defined as the use of printed information, and comprehension and retention of verbal and gestural information that is used to meet one’s goals, develop knowledge and abilities, and maneuver within a society. Literacy has itself been described as currency. Those who are illiterate are les

    4 min

16. 16

    Cultural Competence

    In healthcare, cultural competence describes being sensitive to the differences in culture of another and acting in a way that is respectful to both the values and traditions while performing an activity that is necessary for well-being. Cultural competence happens on affective, behavioral, and cogn

    4 min

17. 17

    The Nurse-Patient Relationship

    The Nurse-Patient relationship works to bring both participants to the same ethical context through understanding and agreement. The patient will engage with the nurse, with the assumption that the nurse has agreed to act in the role as a healthcare professional. In engaging with the nurse, the pati

    4 min

18. 18

    Nurse Advocacy

    Since the early 1850s when Florence Nightingale first became a nurse, patient advocacy has been an important nursing responsibility. Nightingale laid the foundation for patient advocacy by consistently insisting on quality of care, which included a safe and clean environment and basic human rights f

    4 min

19. 19

    Discussion

    At its best, advocacy is proactive behavior that improves or corrects a situation, rather than a report of something that’s gone wrong. Assuring that a patient maintains their autonomy in directing their own healthcare decisions is a challenging nursing role that takes moral courage as well as clini

    4 min

20. 20

    Conclusion

    A Nurse who identifies a patient within a vulnerable population has an obligation to advocate and defend a patient’s rights and interests and ensure the patient’s safety within a healthcare system. This includes patients who are at risk mothers and infants, the mentally ill, those who are homeless,

    4 min

21. 21

    Case Study

    Jim Simpson is a 45-year-old male who recently lost his job. As a result, he also lost his health insurance. Mr. Simpson was diagnosed with type II diabetes in his 30’s, and 1 year ago he was diagnosed with melanoma. He had the melanoma removed, however 1 week ago he started experiencing extreme hea

    4 min

22. 22

    Case Study Response

    Mr. Simpson has many identifiable factors that place him within a vulnerable population of chronic illness and possible homelessness. They are as follows:

    4 min

23. 23

    Identifying Vulnerable Populations Post-Test

    A nurse is a patient advocate regardless of the patient population.

    4 min

24. 24

    Identifying Vulnerable Populations Posttest Answers

    High risk mothers: This population is vulnerable as a result of limited access to healthcare, teenage pregnancy, limited or poor education, and poor prenatal care, allowing susceptibility to infants with low birth weights and infant mortality.

    5 min

This course satisfies

Requirement summaries come from our state requirement records. Always confirm details with your board before you renew.

References and resources

• American Nurses Association. (2019). What is Nursing & What do nurses do? Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/
• CDC National Center for Health Statistics. (2016, May 30). Suicide and Self-Inflicted injury. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/suicide.htm
• Chesnay, M. D., & Anderson, B. A. (2015). Caring for the vulnerable. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
• Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2019, March 1). About Teen Pregnancy. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/teenpregnancy/about/index.htm
• Institute on Disability. University of New Hampshire. (2019). 2018 Annual report on people with disabilities in America. Retrieved from https://disabilitycompendium.org/sites/default/files/user-uploads/Annual_Report_2018_Accessible_AdobeReaderFriendly.pdf
• Lois, G. (2018). Understanding the nurse's role as a patient advocate. Nursing, 48(4), 55-58. doi: 10.1097/01.nurse.0000552710.96243.3810.1097/01.NURSE.0000531007.02224.65
• Lois, G.Retrieved from https://journals.lww.com/nursing/Pages/ArticleViewer.aspx?year=2018&issue=04000&article=00015&type=Fulltext
• Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Osterman MJK. Births in the United States, 2017. NCHS ddata brief. 2018 (318):1-8
• National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2019). Mental health by the numbers. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. (2019). National statistics. Retrieved from https://www.ncadv.org/statistics
• Scott, P. A. (2017). Key Concepts and Issues in Nursing Ethics. Basingstoke, England: Springer.
• Thomas, S. (2019, October 17). Addiction Statistics | Drug & Substance Abuse Statistics. Retrieved from https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/addiction-statistics
• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development OFFICE OF COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. (2018, December). The 2018 Annual homeless assessment Report (AHAR) to congress. Retrieved from https://files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/2018-AHAR-Part-1.pdf
• US Department of Labor. (2019, May 16). Bureau of labor statistics. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/forbrn.pdf

Update history