HPV Vaccination Paper

The selected topic stands as patient education in cervical cancer prevention, specifically regarding the HPV vaccination. This topic stands essential to nursing as researchers determined that “infection of the cervix with HPV was the most common cause of cervical cancer,” later stating that “Cervical cancer was one of the most common cancers that affected a woman’s reproductive organs” (Cermak, Cottrell, & Murnan, 2010, p. 230). Nurses stand as educators and advocators; it is a nurse’s obligation to promote health and wellness, while preventing illness and disease. Nurses remain at the front line of patient care, leaving them in an appropriate situation to recommend and provide this vaccinations to adolescents and young adults. High HPV and
4589). With this prevalence, it remains significantly likely that either an individual or his or her sexual partner will remain infected with HPV. Although acquiring HPV does not guarantee an individual will acquire cancer, as it does not directly cause this condition, the virus produces mutations as the cellular level, which can lead to cervical cancer. Aware of HPV incidence, “In 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a quadrivalent vaccine (Gardasil®), which protects against the HPV types that cause 70% of cervical cancer cases (16 and 18) and 90% of genital warts cases (6 and 11)” (Garcini, et al., 2012, p. 4589). An individual should acquire this vaccination between his or her preteen years and young adulthood, as the vaccine should be given prior to becoming sexual active. The vaccine stands as a three-step process, which remains a reason for the low compliance rates. To assist in patient adherence and compliance, a nurse should determine patient resources, educate on the three-step process, and ensure patient