NURS 4005 Week 2 Pharmacogenomics and Chronic Illness
Pharmacogenomics plays a crucial role in the treatment of chronic diseases, including COPD, cancer, diabetes, and heart conditions. By studying the genetic makeup of individuals, pharmacogenomics helps determine the appropriate medications and personalized doses for better treatment outcomes. As frontline caregivers, nurses are actively involved in genetic-based practices, such as collecting family history, obtaining informed consent for genetic testing, and administering genetic-based therapies.
Pharmacogenomics focuses on how genes influence an individual’s response to drugs. It combines pharmacology and genomics to develop safe and effective medications tailored to an individual’s genetic profile. Unlike the current approach of using “one size fits all” medications, pharmacogenomics takes into account various factors like body composition, metabolic rate, diet, age, ethnicity, and genetics to ensure personalized treatment (Genetics Home Reference, 2018).
NURS 4005 Week 2 Pharmacogenomics and Chronic Illness
In recent years, pharmacogenomics has gained significant attention in the treatment of mental health issues among children and adolescents. Pediatric anxiety and depression, which are prevalent conditions, can benefit from pharmacogenetics. The CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 genes, identified through pharmacogenomics, influence the metabolic reactions of certain psychiatric drugs like SNRIs and SSRIs. Understanding a patient’s pharmacogenomic makeup allows healthcare providers to prescribe appropriate medications and dosages, minimizing potential side effects (Ramsey et al., 2019).
However, the application of genetics and genomics raises ethical considerations for nurses. Nurses must collect patient data, including personal and family history, while ensuring confidentiality and privacy. Given the nascent stage of this field and the limited information available, some insurance companies may hesitate to cover the costs due to uncertain outcomes. Protecting patient information is critical to maintain trust and privacy. Furthermore, nurses must stay updated with the latest information on pharmacogenomics to provide accurate and reliable information to patients and families.
NURS 4005 Week 2 Pharmacogenomics and Chronic Illness
In conclusion, pharmacogenomics offers exciting possibilities for treating chronic illnesses on an individual basis. As Russ Altman mentioned in his TED Talk, people do not respond to drugs in the same way due to genetic differences. By incorporating pharmacogenomic knowledge into healthcare, nurses can contribute to personalized care, improved treatment outcomes, and reduced adverse drug reactions. Ethical considerations, such as maintaining patient privacy and disseminating accurate information, should guide nurses in their practice.
References
Genetics Home Reference. (2018). What is pharmacogenomics? Retrieved from
https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/genomicresearch/pharmacogenomics
Ramsey, L., Bishop, J., & Strawn, J. (2019). Pharmacogenetics of treating pediatric anxiety and depression. Pharmacogenomics, 20, 867-870.
https://doi.org/10.2217/pgs-2019-0088
TEDx Talks. (2013, June 20). Personalized prescriptions | Russ Altman | TEDxStanford [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1iKibDqtck
