31 Dec Respond by Day 6 to at least

Discussion – Week 5

COLLAPSE

Cystic fibrosis is a chronic genetic disease of the mucus glands that affects respiratory and digestive systems. For those afflicted with the disease, their bodies have difficulty moving salt and water in and out of cells, which results in thick mucus that interferes with breathing and growth patterns. Children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis may exhibit coughing, frequent lung and sinus infections, and poor growth and weight gain even with a normal appetite. Most doctors are able to diagnose people at birth with cystic fibrosis based on a typical set of symptoms. Historically, cystic fibrosis was a fatal disease for children and adolescents; however, medical advances have increased their life expectancy (Abbot, Webb, & Dodd, 1996). Due to technology, such as the cystic fibrosis vest, the average life expectancy has increased to the mid-thirties which is much longer than just a generation ago (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 2011). Although there have been significant advances, consider how cystic fibrosis may affect the quality life for children and adolescents. Consider how families may support children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 4 a brief explanation of how cystic fibrosis may impact the quality of life for children or adolescents diagnosed with this disease. Provide two examples to support your response. Then, explain two approaches a family might take to support children or adolescents with cystic fibrosis to enhance their quality of life. Support your response with the Learning Resources or current literature.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

Respond by Day 6 to at least one of your colleagues’ postings about the recommended approaches for the family. Expand on your colleague’s posting and support your response with the Learning Resources or current literature.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.

Click on the Reply button below to reveal the textbox for entering your message. Then click on the Submit button to post your message.

References

Abbot, J., Webb, K., & Dodd, M. (1996). Quality of life in cystic fibrosis. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 90(31), 37–42.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. (2011). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from http://www.cff.org/AboutCF/Faqs/