1st Year GNM Nursing ODISHA Community Health Nursing-I 2025
ODISHA NURSES & MIDWIVES EXAMINATION BOARD
FIRST YEAR ANNUAL EXAMINATION IN GNM-2025
Paper-IV
(Community Health Nursing-1)
I. Solve answer question
OR
a. Define community health nursing. [3 marks]
Community
health nursing (also
called community/public health nursing) is the specialty of nursing that promotes
and protects the health of populations using knowledge from nursing,
social, and public health sciences.
Key
points to include:
- It works with communities/aggregates,
not only individuals.
- It emphasises health
promotion, disease prevention, health protection,
rehabilitation, and evaluation of community health.
- It considers social
determinants of health (the non-medical factors affecting health) in
planning and implementation.
A compact
answer suitable for 3 marks might be:
“Community
health nursing is the branch of nursing which works with communities and
population groups to promote health, prevent illness, protect health and
rehabilitate, using nursing and public health science, taking into account
social, environmental and cultural factors that influence health.”
You can
also mention that it is community-oriented rather than hospital-oriented.
b. Write down the determinants of health. [6 marks]
“Determinants
of health” are the factors or conditions—beyond direct medical care—that
influence the health status of individuals or populations.
Below is
a suitable listing and brief explanation (you can pick perhaps 5–7 for full
marks):
|
Determinant |
Explanation / Examples |
|
Economic stability / Income / Poverty |
Level
of income affects ability to afford nutritious food, housing, health care,
etc. |
|
Education / Literacy |
Education
level influences health literacy, employment opportunities, understanding of
health messages. |
|
Health care access & quality |
Availability,
affordability, and quality of health services determine whether people get
preventive services, early diagnosis, treatment. |
|
Neighbourhood & built environment |
Safe
housing, clean water, sanitation, pollution, infrastructure, transportation,
green spaces — all impact health. |
|
Social & community context |
Social
support, community networks, social inclusion or exclusion, discrimination,
cultural norms. |
|
Physical environment |
Air quality,
water quality, climate, environmental hazards, sanitation. (Sometimes grouped
under neighborhood) |
|
Behavioural / lifestyle factors |
Individual
behaviors such as diet, exercise, tobacco/alcohol use, sexual behaviors.
(Often considered modifiable determinants) |
|
Genetics / biology |
Inherited
traits, age, sex—though less modifiable than social factors. Often considered
but medical models emphasize more modifiable determinants. |
For your
exam, you can select any six and give a short line for each. Emphasize
that many are interrelated and that community health nursing focuses on those
determinants that are modifiable.
c. Describe briefly the role of a nurse in promotion of health in a
community. [6 marks]
In
community health nursing, the nurse plays a pivotal role in health promotion
— working with individuals, families, groups, and the community as a whole to
maintain or improve health. Below is a brief but structured description, which
you can expand or condense depending on marks:
Role of Nurse in Health Promotion
- Health education &
counseling
- Educate community members
about healthy lifestyles (e.g. nutrition, physical activity, hygiene,
smoking cessation).
- Conduct group sessions,
workshops, health talks in schools, community centres.
- Provide individualized
counseling tailored to the community’s cultural beliefs and needs.
- Community assessment &
planning
- Assess health needs,
resources, risk factors and health gaps in the community.
- Engage in planning and
implementing community health programmes (e.g. immunization drives, screening
camps).
- Mobilise community
participation and partnerships with local agencies, NGOs, other sectors.
- Advocacy & policy
influence
- Advocate for healthier
environment, safe housing, clean water, sanitation, and policies
favouring health.
- Influence local health
policies or programmes to address social determinants.
- Preventive services &
promotion interventions
- Conduct immunization
programmes, screening (for e.g. hypertension, diabetes), early detection
activities.
- Organize health promotion
campaigns (e.g. tobacco cessation, maternal-child health, nutrition).
- Monitor and evaluate
effectiveness of health promotion interventions and modify as needed.
- Collaboration & referral
- Coordinate with health
teams, social services, community leaders, local government.
- Facilitate referral of
individuals to appropriate health care or support services.
- Monitoring, surveillance
& evaluation
- Collect and analyse
community health data, track trends, identify at-risk groups.
- Evaluate outcomes of health
promotion programmes, feedback results, and improve services.
In short,
your answer might read:
“In
health promotion, a community health nurse educates and counsels individuals
and groups on healthy lifestyles, assesses community health needs, plans and
implements health programmes, advocates for healthy policies and environments,
provides preventive services (vaccination, screening), coordinates referrals,
and monitors & evaluates interventions. The nurse collaborates with
community leaders and agencies to ensure ownership and sustainability of health
activities.”
You can
pick 4-5 key roles and expand a bit to make 6 marks. Use local examples (in
India or your locality) wherever possible to make it more contextual.
a. Define communication. [3 marks]
Communication
is the process of exchanging information, thoughts and feelings between two or
more persons through a common system of symbols, signs, or behaviour. In
nursing, communication is the purposeful exchange of information (verbal,
non-verbal, written) between nurse and patient (or among health team) to ensure
understanding, provide care and build a therapeutic relationship.
A concise
answer for 3 marks might be:
“Communication
is the process by which information, feelings and ideas are exchanged between
individuals through verbal or non-verbal means; in nursing it is the purposeful
sharing of information between nurse, patient and others to facilitate care.”
b. What are the different types of communication and their importance?
[5 marks]
Here you
can mention major types and then comment briefly on why they are important. You
could mention three or four types (for 5 marks) and explain each briefly.
Types of
communication:
- Verbal communication – spoken words
(face-to-face, on telephone) and written words.
- Importance: Enables clear expression
of information, instructions, education to patient, ensures correct
understanding, supports informed consent.
- Non-verbal communication – body language, facial
expressions, eye contact, posture, gestures, tone of voice.
- Importance: Much of what we
communicate is non-verbal; builds rapport, shows empathy, helps detect
hidden feelings or discomfort (especially important when patient cannot
express fully).
- Written communication – charts, progress notes,
reports, electronic records.
- Importance: Provides permanent record
of care, ensures continuity of care, legal documentation, allows
communication across shifts / among health team.
- Visual or electronic
communication –
use of symbols, diagrams, images, telehealth, digital messaging.
- Importance: Supports patient education
(picture aids), remote care (tele-nursing), supports patients with low
literacy/communication barriers.
Brief
importance summary:
Effective use of these types ensures that the nurse communicates clearly,
avoids misunderstandings, ensures patient safety, enhances patient
participation and trust, supports teamwork among health workers, and improves
overall care outcomes.
c. Describe the responsibilities of a nurse in establishment of
successful communication. [7 marks]
Here you
can list major responsibilities (about 6-8 points) and describe them briefly.
Use bullet style for clarity.
Responsibilities
of a nurse for successful communication:
- Establish rapport and trust
- The nurse should introduce
herself/himself, use the patient’s preferred name, show respect, adopt a
friendly open posture, and make eye contact. This helps the patient feel
safe to express concerns.
- Use clear, simple and
appropriate language
- Avoid jargon, medical terms
that patient may not understand; adapt to patient’s age, culture,
educational level.
- Active listening and observe
non-verbal cues
- Pay attention not only to
what the patient says but how they say it, what their body language is;
ask open-ended questions; give them time to speak and reflect.
- Ensure
feedback/understanding
- Ask patient (or family) to
repeat in their own words the instructions (“teach-back” method) to
ensure they understood; clarify if needed.
- Maintain confidentiality,
privacy and professionalism
- Choose a private
environment if possible, respect boundaries, keep patient information
secure; professional demeanor enhances credibility.
- Use appropriate
communication means and document properly
- Decide whether verbal,
written, visual aid or electronic tool is best for the individual; ensure
documentation is accurate, legible and timely to maintain continuity of
care.
- Be culturally sensitive and
reduce barriers
- Recognize cultural,
language, literacy, sensory or cognitive barriers; use interpreters or
alternate modes if needed; adjust communication to patient’s background.
- Collaborate and communicate
with health team
- Share information clearly
with other nurses, doctors, allied health professionals; use structured
handover formats; ensure patient’s care plan is understood by all.
- Evaluate communication
effectiveness and continue improvement
- Reflect on your
communication, seek feedback, identify mis-communications and take steps
to improve, e.g., adapt style, use new tools.
Short
paragraph answer version:
“To
establish successful communication, the nurse must first build rapport and
trust with the patient, using clear and appropriate language adapted to the
patient’s background. The nurse should actively listen and observe non-verbal
cues, and verify understanding via feedback (teach-back). Privacy and
confidentiality must be maintained, and documentation must be accurate. The
nurse should be culturally sensitive, negotiate any barriers such as language
or literacy, and use the most suitable mode of communication (verbal, written,
visual or electronic). In addition, the nurse must collaborate effectively with
the rest of the health team through structured handovers and clear
documentation. Finally, the nurse should reflect on and evaluate her/his
communication to continuously improve.”
II. Solve Answer Questions
OR
a. Enlist the criteria of safe drinking water. [2 marks]
1. The
water should be free from harmful microorganisms (pathogens)
so as not to cause disease.
2. The
water should not contain chemical substances at concentrations that are
hazardous to health (e.g. heavy metals, excessive nitrates, fluoride etc.).
b. Write briefly about health hazards caused due to contaminated
water. [5 marks]
Contaminated water can carry a variety of pathogens (bacteria, viruses, parasites)
or harmful chemicals. Some of the health hazards include:
1. Waterborne
infectious diseases
o
Diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, dysentery etc.
o
Many people die (especially children) from
severe diarrhoeal diseases.
2. Parasitic
infections
o
For example, intestinal worms, giardiasis,
amoebiasis.
o
Can lead to malnutrition, anaemia, growth
retardation in children.
3. Chemical
poisoning and chronic effects
o
Excess fluoride → dental fluorosis, skeletal
fluorosis
o
Arsenic in water → skin lesions, cancers
o
Nitrate contamination → methemoglobinemia (“blue
baby syndrome”)
o
Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury) →
neurological, kidney damage
4. Reproductive
and developmental effects
o
Some contaminants can affect fetuses, lead to
birth defects or low birth weight.
5. Long-term
chronic diseases & cancer risk
o
Continuous exposure to low levels of chemical
contaminants may lead to increased cancer risk, kidney disease, liver damage,
etc.
c. Briefly describe the processes of water purification in small
scale. [8 marks]
When you purify water on a small (household, community) scale, you use a
combination of simple methods to remove or inactivate harmful organisms and
reduce impurities. Here is a step-wise description of common processes:
1. Collection
/ Pretreatment / Sedimentation
o
Letting the water stand so that larger suspended
particles settle down.
o
Removing coarse debris, mud, leaves etc.
2. Filtration
o
Passing water through filters (sand filter,
gravel, cloth, ceramic filters) to trap particulate matter and microorganisms.
o
Biosand filters are one example effective at
household level.
3. Disinfection
/ Chemical treatment
o
Using chlorine, chloramines, or other chemical
disinfectants to kill remaining microorganisms.
o
Using bleaching powder or chlorine tablets in
correct dose and contact time.
o
Alternatively, chemical disinfection with iodine
or other agents.
4. Boiling
/ Thermal method
o
Heating water to a rolling boil for a set
duration (commonly 1–3 minutes) kills bacteria, viruses, protozoa.
o
This method is simple but does not remove
chemical contaminants.
5. Adsorption
/ Activated carbon / Other media
o
Passing water through activated carbon to remove
tastes, odour, some chemicals, organic compounds.
o
Helps make water more palatable and remove
residual chemicals.
6. Storage
and Handling / Safe distribution
o
After purification, store water in clean,
covered containers to prevent recontamination.
o
Use safe methods of drawing water (no dipping
hands or dirty ladles).
7. Maintenance
& Monitoring
o
Regular cleaning of filters, replacing filter
media, ensuring disinfection residuals are maintained.
o
Periodic testing of water quality to ensure
safety.
OR
a. Define epidemiology [3 marks]
Epidemiology is the branch of public health science that studies the distribution,
determinants, and control of health and
disease in populations. It investigates how, when and where diseases occur,
identifies risk factors, and guides interventions to prevent and control
disease.
b. Explain the disease cycle. [5 marks]
The “disease cycle” in public health / epidemiology is often represented as
the chain of infection (or transmission cycle). It comprises
several linked steps through which a pathogen moves from a source to a
susceptible host:
1. Infectious
agent (pathogen) – the micro-organism (virus, bacterium, parasite,
fungus) that causes disease.
2. Reservoir
/ source – where the pathogen lives and multiplies (humans, animals,
environment, contaminated water/food).
3. Portal
of exit – the path by which the pathogen leaves the reservoir (e.g.
respiratory secretions, faeces, blood, urine).
4. Mode
of transmission – how the pathogen travels from the reservoir to a new
host (direct contact, droplet, airborne, vector, vehicle, fomite).
5. Portal
of entry – the route by which the pathogen enters the susceptible host
(mucous membranes, broken skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract).
6. Susceptible
host – a person who is vulnerable to infection (due to weak immunity,
underlying disease, malnutrition etc.).
c. Explain the role of a nurse in control of the disease cycle. [7
marks]
As a nurse (especially in community health), you play a vital role in breaking
links in the disease cycle / chain of infection. Here are key responsibilities:
1. Identify
/ recognize the infectious agent / early detection
o
Monitor for symptoms, use surveillance, report
cases early.
o
Assist in lab sample collection and pathogen
identification.
2. Manage
and reduce reservoirs / sources
o
Promote safe disposal of waste, latrine use,
sewage management.
o
Ensure isolation of infected persons if needed.
o
Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces or
objects.
3. Block
portals of exit
o
Encourage covering of coughs and sneezes, proper
disposal of secretions.
o
Use of masks, gloves, safe handling of body
fluids and excreta.
4. Interrupt
transmission / modes of spread
o
Enforce hand hygiene (handwashing), use of
personal protective equipment (PPE).
o
Advocate for safe water, food hygiene, vector
control measures, sterilization of equipment.
o
Educate community about avoiding risky
behaviours or exposures.
5. Protect
portal of entry
o
Use and promote protective barriers (gloves,
masks, clean dressings over wounds).
o
Ensure proper skin integrity, wound care.
o
Provide safe injections, avoid reuse of needles,
maintain sterile technique.
6. Strengthen
host resistance / reduce susceptibility
o
Promote vaccination campaigns (immunization).
o
Encourage nutrition, good general health, rest,
hygiene, health education.
o
Screen and manage underlying chronic diseases to
reduce host vulnerability.
7. Monitoring,
evaluation & feedback
o
Track outcomes of control measures, review
effectiveness, adapt strategies as needed.
o
Report data to public health authorities for
surveillance, planning and response.
In a short paragraph:
III. Write short notes on any three of the following.
a. Vital statistics
Definition
/ meaning:
Vital statistics are data on major life “vital events” in a population — such
as births, deaths (including fetal deaths), marriages, divorces, and sometimes
other civil status events.
Significance:
These statistics give insight into population health, such as fertility,
mortality, life expectancy, infant and maternal death rates, and cause-of-death
patterns.
Uses:
- Planning of health services
(for example how many maternity beds to provide)
- Tracking progress on public
health goals (reducing infant mortality, maternal mortality)
- Evaluating interventions:
e.g., if a vaccination campaign is working, a drop in the appropriate
mortality may show up.
Challenges:
Quality of registration may be incomplete (especially in rural/remote areas), cause-of-death may be poorly recorded, delays in compiling the data.
Summary:
In community health nursing you must know that vital statistics form the evidence base for understanding the health status of a community and for making decisions about health programme needs and priority setting.
b. UNICEF
What is
UNICEF:
UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) is a global organisation (under the UN)
mandated to promote and protect the rights of every child, especially in
health, education, protection and humanitarian emergencies. In India, UNICEF has been active for many
decades: it has been working in India for about 75 years.
Major roles/functions in India:
- Maternal, newborn, child and
adolescent health: working with government and communities to improve
survival and health outcomes of children and mothers.
- Education: ensuring
inclusive and quality education for children.
- Water, sanitation &
hygiene: improving WASH conditions in schools and communities (UNICEF has
helped India’s sanitation mission).
- Advocacy and policy support:
helping formulate or implement child-centred policies and programmes,
providing technical assistance.
Importance for community health nursing:
As a nurse working in the community you may collaboratively work with UNICEF-supported projects or use their guidelines for child health, nutrition, immunisation, and community development. Understanding UNICEF’s role helps you link local health activities with broader national/international efforts.
Summary:
UNICEF is a key partner in child and maternal health in India, and its work supports many of the community health nursing interventions (health education, immunisation, growth monitoring, school health, WASH etc.).
c. School Health Service (or School Health Service Programmes)
Definition
/ meaning:
School health services are organised health measures provided for school-going
children (and sometimes adolescents) through health education, screening,
preventive services, first‐aid, referrals and health promotion in the school
setting.
Components / services typically include:
- Health appraisal /
screening: checking for nutritional status, defects (vision/hearing),
diseases, disabilities.
- Health education: teaching
children about hygiene, nutrition, exercise, disease prevention.
- First-aid and referral:
treating minor injuries in school, referring serious cases to health
facilities.
- Immunisation / de-worming /
micronutrient supplementation programmes conducted via schools.
Significance / why important: - Schools form a key setting
where a large number of children can be reached systematically.
- Intervening early helps
promote healthy behaviours, prevent diseases, and detect problems early
which helps in better outcomes and reduces later burden.
Challenges:
Resources may be inadequate; coordination between health & education sectors may be weak; follow-up of referrals may be poor.
Summary:
In your role as a community health nurse, you may be asked to support or implement school health services: conducting screening camps, health education sessions, working with teachers and school staff, ensuring referral linkages. Effective school health service helps build a “healthy school” environment and contributes to child health, educational attainment and long-term population health.
d. National Health Policy (India)
What is
it:
A National Health Policy is a document adopted by the Government of India to
guide health system development, priorities, objectives, strategies and
institutional arrangements to achieve better health for all.
Latest version:
The current policy is the National Health Policy, 2017 (NHP 2017).
Key features / thrusts (briefly):
- A preventive and promotive
health care orientation, aiming for the highest possible level of health
and well-being for all ages.
- Universal access to good
quality health care services without financial hardship.
- Strengthening primary health
care: establishing Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs), expanding
coverage of services.
- Integration of other systems
of medicine (AYUSH), encouraging innovation and use of technology, digital
health.
- Emphasis on equity (reducing
health disparities), decentralization, community participation,
inter-sectoral action.
Significance for community health nursing:
The policy sets the framework within which community health nursing services operate: the emphasis on primary/preventive care, community participation, integration of services means your role is central. The policy gives legitimacy to community-oriented nursing rather than purely curative hospital care.
Summary:
The NHP 2017 is a roadmap for India’s health system; as a GNM nurse you should know its objectives and major features because your duties in community health nursing will align with primary health care and preventive/promotive services envisaged in the policy.
e. Panchayat Raj
What is
it:
Panchayat Raj refers to the system of rural local self-government in India
(village/taluka/district level) established through the 73rd Constitutional
Amendment Act, 1993. It comprises Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat
Samiti (block level) and Zilla Parishad (district level).
Role in health:
- The Panchayat institutions
are responsible for planning, implementation and monitoring of many social
development activities including health, sanitation, nutrition, safe
water, waste management etc.
- They facilitate community
participation and make health programmes more responsive to local needs
(for example through Village Health Sanitation & Nutrition Committees
(VHSNCs) at Gram Panchayat level).
Importance for community health nursing:
As a nurse working in the community you will often interface with Panchayat Raj institutions: for village health programmes, sanitation campaigns, nutrition programmes, health committees. Collaborating with Panchayat bodies helps mobilise community, access local resources, create ownership for health actions.
Summary:
Panchayat Raj is the grassroots governance mechanism in rural India. For community health work it provides structure, local involvement and an entry point to implement health programmes at village level.
IV. A. Write the responsibilities and role of a nurse in the following situations.
Answer:
|
Situation |
Responsibilities & Role of Nurse |
|
a. Immunization session at outreach centre |
•
Prepare for the session: ensure vaccines, cold-chain, supplies (syringes,
safety boxes) are ready and functional. •
Mobilise the community: inform mothers/parents about date/time/place of
session, encourage them to bring children, address misconceptions or fears. •
Register eligible children/pregnant women, check immunisation cards, identify
defaulters. •
Administer vaccines safely, maintain aseptic technique, monitor for immediate
adverse reactions. • Keep
records: vaccine doses, lot numbers, cold-chain logs, sessions statistics. •
Provide health education: explain importance of immunisation, next session
date, schedule for follow-ups, side-effects to watch for. • Coordinate with
team and outreach centre staff: ensure support services, manage crowd, ensure
safe disposal of sharps. •
Evaluate coverage: note how many served vs targeted, identify barriers and
plan for next session. |
|
b. A person suffering from chronic cough |
•
Assess the person’s history: onset, duration, associated symptoms (fever,
weight loss, night sweats), exposure to TB, smoking history, environmental
factors. •
Provide education: on cough hygiene (cover mouth, use mask), avoiding spread,
adherence to investigations/therapy. •
Encourage and facilitate diagnostic work-up: referral for sputum test/X-ray
if TB suspected, ensure follow-up. •
Monitor and support treatment adherence: if diagnosis is TB or other chronic
lung disease, ensure directly observed therapy (DOT) if required, counsel on
side-effects. •
Address risk factors and lifestyle: smoking cessation, exposure to indoor air
pollution, ventilation. • Do
home visits as needed: observe environment, support family, identify other
at-risk individuals. •
Coordinate with public health programme: notify if required, link with
disease surveillance and control measures. •
Provide psychosocial support and follow-up, monitor for complications or
non-response. |
|
c. Physically and mentally challenged individual |
•
Assess the individual’s health status: physical disabilities, mental health
condition, support needs, home environment, caregiver support. •
Develop a care plan: tailored to their functional level, ensure that physical
impairment and mental health needs are addressed. •
Provide or coordinate health education: for the individual and
family/caregivers about the condition, care needs, preventive aspects,
rehabilitation options. •
Facilitate access to services: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, mental
health counselling, assistive devices, community rehabilitation programmes. •
Promote inclusion & participation: encourage social interaction, help
integrate into community, school/employment as appropriate. •
Monitor for complications: e.g., pressure sores, infections, malnutrition,
behavioural issues. •
Advocate for the individual: ensure friendly environment, rights respected,
liaison with local health/social services. •
Support caregiver: provide training, respite, counseling, link to support groups. |
|
d. A 15-year-old girl with anaemia |
•
Assessment: check for signs/symptoms of anaemia (pallor, fatigue,
tachycardia), dietary history, menstrual history (heavy bleeding),
socio-economic factors, any parasitic infection. •
Health education: explain causes of anaemia, importance of iron rich diet,
deworming, hygiene, menstrual hygiene, and compliance with iron
supplementation. •
Administer/monitor treatment: ensure iron & folic acid supplementation as
per protocol, check for side-effects, ensure adherence. •
Screen for underlying causes: counsel and refer for investigation if needed
(e.g., heavy menstrual bleeding, hookworm, chronic disease). •
Promote preventive measures: deworming, sanitation, hygiene, good nutrition,
regular health check-ups in school/community. •
Follow-up and monitor: re-check haemoglobin, observe improvement, counsel if
no improvement. • Link
with school health service: ensure the school nurse/health team monitors the
girl, supports breaks/activities accordingly, ensures she is not excluded
from education due to ill health. |
|
e. Control and prevention of diarrhoea in your
area |
•
Assessment of the community: identify sources of contamination (water, food,
sanitation), high-risk groups (children under 5, elderly), prevalence of
diarrhoeal episodes. •
Health education: teach about safe drinking water, hand-washing (especially
after defecation and before eating), food hygiene, safe weaning foods, proper
storage of cooked food. •
Promote and monitor water & sanitation: ensure clean drinking water
supply, chlorination if needed, proper disposal of human faeces, promote
latrine use, safe drainage. •
Surveillance and early treatment: identify and refer cases of diarrhoea
early, advise oral rehydration therapy (ORT), zinc supplementation for children,
monitor outbreaks. •
Coordinate with local health/municipal agencies: for cleaning water tanks,
repairing broken pipes, waste management, vector control. – Ensure community
involvement: mobilisation of families, local leaders for sanitation campaigns. •
Monitor and evaluate: track changes in incidence rates, assess effectiveness
of interventions, adjust strategy. •
Support follow-up: ensure children who had diarrhoea are followed up for
nutritional status, growth monitoring, to prevent repeated illness and
malnutrition. |
B. Fill in the blanks.
✅ Final Answers:
a. 1920b. Filariasis
c. Mid-Day Meal Programme
d. Primary prevention
e. Varicella zoster virus
V. A. Write the responsibilities and role of a nurse in the following situations
Answer:
a. DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course)
Meaning: DOTS is the key strategy under the National
Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) to ensure TB patients take
their full course of treatment.
Role and responsibilities of the nurse:
·
Identify suspected TB cases and refer for sputum
examination.
·
Supervise patients while taking anti-TB drugs
(direct observation).
·
Maintain treatment cards and registers.
·
Educate patients and families on adherence,
nutrition, and cough hygiene.
·
Monitor side effects and report to the medical
officer.
·
Provide psychological support and reduce stigma
in the community.
b. NVBDCP (National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme)
Meaning: Integrated programme for control of vector-borne
diseases like malaria, dengue, filaria, chikungunya, JE, and kala-azar.
Role and responsibilities of the nurse:
·
Assist in surveillance: identify fever cases,
collect blood smears for malaria testing.
·
Educate community on prevention (mosquito
control, bed nets, clean surroundings).
·
Participate in mass drug administration (for
filariasis).
·
Assist in outbreak investigation and vector
control measures (spraying, larval source reduction).
·
Record and report cases promptly.
c. BFHI (Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative)
Meaning: WHO-UNICEF initiative to promote exclusive
breastfeeding and mother-baby bonding.
Role and responsibilities of the nurse:
·
Encourage early initiation of breastfeeding
within 1 hour of birth.
·
Educate mothers on exclusive breastfeeding for 6
months.
·
Discourage use of pre-lacteal feeds and bottle
feeding.
·
Support mothers facing breastfeeding difficulties.
·
Maintain BFHI practices in maternity wards and
community.
d. MDA (Mass Drug Administration)
Meaning: Preventive programme to eliminate Lymphatic
Filariasis through annual mass administration of DEC and Albendazole.
Role and responsibilities of the nurse:
·
Conduct community awareness campaigns on
filariasis and MDA.
·
Administer drugs house-to-house or at fixed
posts.
·
Ensure correct dosage as per age/weight.
·
Record coverage and manage side effects.
·
Motivate community for full participation every
year.
e. IRDP (Integrated Rural Development Programme)
Meaning: Government programme aimed at improving the economic
and social conditions of rural poor families.
Role and responsibilities of the nurse:
·
Identify poor and vulnerable families during
field visits.
·
Motivate them to participate in self-employment
and income-generation schemes.
·
Educate families on health, nutrition, hygiene,
and sanitation.
·
Collaborate with block development officers for
holistic welfare.
·
Monitor health improvement through economic
upliftment.
f. RBSK (Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram)
Meaning: Programme for early identification and
intervention for children (0-18 years) covering 4Ds – Defects,
Diseases, Deficiencies, and Developmental delays.
Role and responsibilities of the nurse:
·
Conduct screening in Anganwadis and schools.
·
Record findings and refer children needing
treatment.
·
Educate parents on nutrition, hygiene, and early
developmental signs.
·
Assist in follow-up and ensure linkages with
District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC).
·
Maintain records and reports.
g. VCTC (Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre)
Meaning: Centre providing HIV testing, pre- and
post-test counselling, and referrals.
Role and responsibilities of the nurse:
·
Provide pre-test counselling ensuring
confidentiality and consent.
·
Conduct or assist in HIV testing.
·
Give post-test counselling (both negative and
positive results).
·
Refer HIV-positive patients to ART centres and
support groups.
·
Educate the community about HIV prevention and
stigma reduction.
h. PPP (Public-Private Partnership)
Meaning: Collaboration between government and
private sector to strengthen health services.
Role and responsibilities of the nurse:
·
Coordinate between government and private
agencies for service delivery.
·
Ensure quality and continuity of care to
patients.
·
Maintain records and data sharing between
partners.
·
Promote community trust and awareness of PPP
health facilities.
·
Participate in joint health camps and outreach
activities.
i. IMNCI (Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood
Illnesses)
Meaning: WHO-UNICEF strategy to reduce child morbidity and
mortality by integrating management of major childhood illnesses.
Role and responsibilities of the nurse:
·
Assess, classify, and manage sick children under
IMNCI guidelines.
·
Provide treatment or refer severe cases.
·
Counsel mothers on feeding, immunisation, and
home care.
·
Monitor growth and development.
·
Maintain child health records and ensure
follow-up visits.
j. ONMEB (Odisha Nurses and Midwives Examination Board)
Meaning: State-level body that conducts examinations and
regulates nursing and midwifery education in Odisha.
Role and responsibilities of the nurse:
·
Adhere to ONMEB rules and ethical standards.
·
Participate in examination and evaluation
processes fairly.
·
Keep updated with ONMEB guidelines on curriculum
and practice.
·
Maintain professional competence and
registration.
·
Promote quality nursing education and practice.
✅ Summary Table (for quick revision):
|
Programme / Term |
Full Form |
Nurse’s Focus Role |
|
DOTS |
TB control |
Supervise TB treatment |
|
NVBDCP |
Vector diseases |
Surveillance & prevention |
|
BFHI |
Breastfeeding |
Support and promote breastfeeding |
|
MDA |
Filariasis |
Mass drug distribution |
|
IRDP |
Rural development |
Promote health through economic upliftment |
|
RBSK |
Child screening |
Early detection of 4Ds |
|
VCTC |
HIV testing |
Counselling & referral |
|
PPP |
Govt-private partnership |
Coordination & quality service |
|
IMNCI |
Child health |
Assess, treat, counsel |
|
ONMEB |
Exam board |
Maintain standards & ethics |
IV. B. Write true or false.
✅ Final Answers:
a. Trueb. False
c. True
d. False
e. False
