Genetic Condition of Albinism in Nursing Practice
Genetics is a part of the natural sciences that deals with the study and understanding of genes, genetic differentiation, and heredity in living organisms. It provides information on why people are different from others; it explains the transfer of genes from parents to children (Beery et al., 2018). Through the exchange of genes, individuals acquire various characteristics that make them different from others. This paper presents a map on Albinism as one of the major genetic conditions facing the world today.
Description of Albinism
Albinism is a cluster of genetic conditions that presupposes a lack of color in the body, hair, or eyes. The disorder is additionally linked or connected to various visual issues. The disease results from a fault in the gene that produces and dispenses melanin in the body. The illness is caused by the absence of melanin manufacturing or its decreased release. The malfunctioning genes are passed down from father and mother to the child, which results in Albinism (Marçon & Maia, 2019). Statistics indicate that one in every eighteen to twenty thousand persons in the U.S. has that kind of disease. The genetic issue is a hereditary problem present at childbirth. Children have the probability of getting the disorder when their parents are albino or both parents are carriers of the albinism genes.
Specific Genetic Assessment for Albinism
Individuals with albinism present with a lack of pigment in the hair, skin, or eyes; brighter than usual pigmentation of the hair, skin, or eyes, and parts of the body lack the color. The condition also includes various eye issues like strabismus or crisscrossed eyes, photalgia or sensitivity to sunlight, nystagmus or unintentional swift eye activities, diminished visualization, or sightlessness astigmia. The basic precise method of diagnosing the condition is through genetic testing to perceive damaged genes associated with the disorder (Marçon & Maia, 2019). Other minimal methods of identifying the condition are assessing signs by the physician or an electroretinogram examination. The latter assesses the reaction of the light-sensitive cells in the eyes to show eye hitches linked with Albinism.
The Impact of Albinism Information on Clients and Families
The condition is a lifetime health complication with no cure, only maintenance approaches. The patients and their caregivers require quality information to live healthy lives. First, the clients and their guardians need to understand what conditions they are facing and the available interventions. The latter enlighten individuals and their support to take appropriate, timely measures. The knowledge helps the support system create a conducive home and social environment for the psychological wellbeing of the albino. Additionally, mental wellbeing awareness will go a long way in providing coping strategies when the ill person encounters stigmatization (Marçon & Maia, 2019). Education is also important to handle the socio-cultural beliefs and misconceptions surrounding the sickness to demystify Albinism’s myths and fallacies. The latter will lead to societal acceptance of the individuals and their families.
Ethical and Legal Considerations
An albino is a human as any other and deserves the right to live regardless of the misconception or society’s myth. The parents have the obligation to protect their child against society from stigmatization and abuse, as is the legal and justice system (Marçon & Maia, 2019). The law has to punish anybody found physically, emotionally, or otherwise abusing or discriminating anyone because of disorder. Furthermore, these individuals have the right to medication, and the government should offer them a medical benefit.
Scope of Nursing Practice about Albinism Considerations
The nurses are the front liners in providing health care to all populations, including albinos. Clinicians should not under any circumstance discriminate against these patients. In addition, practitioners should provide quality information to their clients on the conditions, available treatment, and possible management approaches. Since the genetic condition is a lifetime issue, physicians should ensure that they support their patients throughout the journey. Following up on patients will ensure they adopt healthy lifestyles.
References
Beery, T. A., Workman, M. L., & Eggert, J. A. (2018). Genetics and genomics in nursing and health care. FA Davis.
Marçon, C. R., & Maia, M. (2019). Albinism: Epidemiology, genetics, cutaneous characterization, psychosocial factors. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, 94(5), 503-520. Web.