The communicable disease chain involves an infectious agent, means of transmission, a susceptible host, and reservoirs. The epidemiologic triangle describes the interaction between host factors, agent factors, and environmental factors in disease transmission. Community health nurses play an important role through tasks like case finding, reporting, data collection and analysis, and follow-up. Demographic data are important for community health assessments and planning prevention strategies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention works to address communicable diseases in the United States and globally.

1. Communicable Disease Chain
Infectious Agent
Microbes – All Types
Pathogenicity
Invasiveness
Virulence
Infective Dose
Resistance
Means of Transmission

2. Direct
Indirect
Portal of Re-entry
Same as Exit
Portal of Exit
Respiratory
Integumentary
Blood
GI

3. Sexual
Susceptible Host
Defense Mechanisms
Immunity
Natural
Artificial
Reservoirs
Humans
Animals
Plant/Soil

4. © 2011. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
Rubic_Print_FormatCourse CodeClass CodeAssignment
TitleTotal PointsNRS-428VNNRS-428VN-O503Epidemiology
Paper125.0CriteriaPercentageUnsatisfactory (0.00%)Less Than
Satisfactory (80.00%)Satisfactory (88.00%)Good
(92.00%)Excellent (100.00%)CommentsPoints
EarnedContent80.0%Comprehensive Description of a
Communicable Disease and the Demographic of
Interest10.0%Demographic of interest and clinical description
are omitted or presented with many inaccuracies.Limited and/or
vague summary of demographic of interest and communicable
disease is provided. Overview does not offer a clear
representation of information necessary for epidemiological
study.Overview of the demographic of interest and clinical
description of the communicable disease is presented with some
inaccuracies of the clinical descriptors.Clinical description of
the communicable disease and demographic of interest is
provided. Summary is brief but accurate.Overview describing
the demographic of interest and clinical description of the
communicable disease is presented with a thorough, accurate,
and clear overview of all of the clinical
descriptors.Determinants of Health and Explanation of How
Determinants Contribute to Disease
Development10.0%Description of the determinants of health
and their role in disease development is omitted or presented
with many inaccuracies.Paper partially describes the
determinants of health in relation to disease development.Paper
identifies the determinants of health in relation to the
communicable disease selected but does not include an
explanation of their role in the development of disease.Paper
describes each determinant of health with a comprehensive

5. discussion of their contribution to disease development and
progression.Paper comprehensively discusses the determinants
of health in relation to the communicable disease, explains their
contribution to disease development, and provides evidence to
support main points.Epidemiologic Triangle (Host Factors,
Agent Factors, and Environmental Factors20.0%Description of
the epidemiologic triangle is omitted or presented with many
inaccuracies.The communicable disease is described with some
inaccuracies within the epidemiologic triangle. A visual
description of the factors and interaction is not present.The
communicable disease is described accurately and clearly within
the context of the epidemiologic triangle.The communicable
disease is described accurately within the context of the
epidemiologic triangle. A brief description of factors and
interaction is presented.The communicable disease is described
thoroughly, accurately, and clearly within an epidemiological
triangle. A visual description of the triangle and how the
components of the model interact is included.Role of the
Community Health Nurse and Importance of Demographic
Data20.0%Discussion of the role of the community health nurse
is omitted or unclear. An explanation of why demographic data
are necessary to community health is omitted or
unclear.Discussion of the role of the community health nurse is
vague, with no integration of case finding, reporting, data
collecting, data analysis, or follow-up skills. An incomplete
explanation of why demographic data are necessary to
community health is provided.Discussion of the role of the
community health nurses is limited, with a brief overview of
skills associated with community assessment and planning. An
explanation of why demographic data are necessary to
community health is summarized.Discussion of the role of
community health nurse is clear, with a comprehensive
description of skills associated with community assessment and
planning. An explanation of why demographic data are
necessary to community health is presented.Discussion of the
role of the community health nurse is clear, comprehensive, and

6. inclusive of the community nurse's responsibilities to primary,
secondary, and tertiary prevention through tasks such as case
finding, reporting, data collection and analysis, and follow -up.
A clear explanation of the importance of demographic data to
community health is presented.National Agency or Organization
That Works to Addresses Communicable Disease10.0%Agency
and description of contribution are omitted.An agency or
organization is identified, but discussion is vague or inaccurate
in relation to the communicable disease chosen.An agency or
organization is identified, but discussion regarding efforts to
address communicable disease is lacking.An agency or
organization is identified, but discussion regarding efforts to
address communicable disease is brief.An agency or
organization is identified. A clear and accurate description of
efforts to address communicable disease is offered.Global
Implication10.0%Global implication of the disease is omitted or
unclear.A discussion of the global implication of the disease is
vague, with no integration of how this is addressed in other
countries or cultures and if the disease is endemic to a
particular area. An example is not provided.A discussion of the
global implication of the disease is limited, with some
integration of how this is addressed in other countries or
cultures and if the disease is endemic to a particular area. An
example is provided.A discussion of the global implication of
the disease is clear, with a comprehensive description of how
this is addressed in other countries or cultures and if the disease
is endemic to a particular area. An example is provided.A
discussion of the global implication of the disease is clear,
comprehensive, and inclusive with a comprehensive description
of how this is addressed in other countries or cultures and if the
disease is endemic to a particular area. An example is
provided.Organization, Effectiveness, and Format20.0%Thesis
Development and Purpose5.0%Paper lacks any discernible
overall purpose or organizing claim.Thesis is insufficiently
developed or vague. Purpose is not clear.Thesis is apparent and
appropriate to purpose.Thesis is clear and forecasts the

7. development of the paper. Thesis is descriptive and reflective of
the arguments and appropriate to the purpose.Thesis is
comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis
statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.Argument Logic
and Construction5.0%Statement of purpose is not justified by
the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim
made. Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible
sources.Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument
lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic.
Some sources have questionable credibility.Argument is orderly
but may have a few inconsistencies. The argument presents
minimal justification of claims. Argument logically, but not
thoroughly, supports the purpose. Sources used are credible.
Introduction and conclusion bracket the thesis.Argument shows
logical progression. Techniques of argumentation are evident.
There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to
conclusion. Most sources are authoritative.Clear and convincing
argument presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and
compelling manner. All sources are authoritative.Mechanics of
Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language
use)5.0%Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede
communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice or
sentence construction is used.Frequent and repetitive
mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in
language choice (register) or word choice are present. Sentence
structure is correct but not varied.Some mechanical errors or
typos are present, but they are not overly distracting to the
reader. Correct and varied sentence structure and audience-
appropriate language are employed.Prose is largely free of
mechanical errors, although a few may be present. The writer
uses a variety of effective sentence structures and figures of
speech.Writer is clearly in command of standard, written,
academic English.Paper Format (use of appropriate style for
the major and assignment)2.0%Template is not used
appropriately, or documentation format is rarely followed
correctly.Appropriate template is used, but some elements are

8. missing or mistaken. A lack of control with formatting is
apparent.Appropriate template is used. Formatting is correct,
although some minor errors may be present.Appropriate
template is fully used. There are virtually no errors in
formatting style.All format elements are correct.Documentation
of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc.,
as appropriate to assignment and style)3.0%Sources are not
documented.Documentation of sources is inconsistent or
incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous
formatting errors.Sources are documented, as appropriate to
assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be
present.Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment
and style, and format is mostly correct.Sources are completely
and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and
style, and format is free of error.Total Weightage100%