Biological variations among Korean Americans should the nurse be aware

Geographical and Political Impact on Jordanian Americans

Geographical Location of Jordan

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a small, semi-arid country in the Middle East/Western Asia. It is bordered by:

Syria to the north

Iraq to the northeast

Saudi Arabia to the east and south

Israel and the West Bank to the west (sharing coastlines on the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba/Red Sea).

Political Turmoil and Health Impact on Immigrants

Jordan's location places it at the center of the region's most persistent conflicts. While Jordan is generally politically stable, it has been significantly impacted by conflicts in neighboring countries, leading to massive waves of refugees (Palestinians, Iraqis, Syrians).

This political turmoil and history of regional conflict may have a profound, negative impact on the health and well-being of recently immigrated Jordanian Americans:

Trauma and Mental Health: Recent immigrants, or those who lived through periods of high tension and regional wars, may suffer from high rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and chronic depression. Nurses must screen for mental health issues related to displacement, fear of family overseas, and survivor's guilt.

Sample Answer

Biological Variations Among Korean Americans

Nurses should be aware of several biological and physiological variations common among Korean Americans that may affect health screening, drug metabolism, and disease prevalence:

Lactose Intolerance: High prevalence of lactose intolerance is common across many Asian populations, including Koreans. Nurses should inquire about dairy consumption and advise on calcium alternatives to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

Gastric Cancer: Korean Americans, particularly first-generation immigrants, have a significantly higher incidence of stomach cancer compared to the general U.S. population. This is often linked to dietary habits (e.g., high-salt, pickled foods) and a higher prevalence of H. pylori infection. Nurses should encourage early screening (endoscopy) as appropriate.

Alcohol Metabolism: A significant percentage of the Korean population carries genetic polymorphisms (specifically in the ALDH2 gene) that lead to an inefficient metabolism of alcohol's toxic byproduct, acetaldehyde. This can cause the "Asian flush" (facial flushing, nausea, tachycardia) and is associated with a higher risk of esophageal cancer. Nurses should screen for alcohol use and educate patients about these risks.

Diabetes and Obesity: While traditional patterns show lower rates of obesity, Korean Americans may develop diabetes at lower body mass indexes (BMIs) than Caucasians, meaning standard BMI cutoffs for screening may be inadequate. Nurses should be aware of this and screen based on waist circumference or family history.

Stereotyping Puerto Ricans and Patient Care Errors

Stereotyping Puerto Ricans as similar to other Hispanic Americans can lead to significant errors in patient care by overlooking crucial cultural and political differences.