NU670-8G Advanced Pharmacology and Health Promotion

NU670 Unit 1 Discussion – Introduction

Instructions:

Welcome to NU670! I am looking forward to learning about each and every one of you, and I know your classmates are as well. This discussion board is for you to share information with your classmates and me so we can begin to create relationships with our online classroom environment.

Using Zoom, create a 2-3 minute video introducing yourself to your instructor and peers. In the video, please address the following:

If you would like to use Zoom, please see the Zoom Tutorial for more detailed instructions.

Zoom Quick Start Download Zoom Quick Start [PDF]

After your recording is complete, follow these instructions to create a private, unlisted YouTube video (Links to an external site.). You will need the YouTube video website/URL for this discussion. Submit your YouTube video website/URL to this discussion page. The best way to do this is to copy and paste the website/URL for the YouTube video into a Word document and then post the Word document. Your instructor and peers will access your video via the link.

As a way of introducing yourselves to the instructor and your peers, please post the following:

Your name
Location
Description of your current position (If not employed, what are your expectations when you complete your program?)
Previous nursing experience background and specialty
Why you chose PMHNP as your concentration?
What made you consider enrolling in the Herzing online PMHNP program?
Your career goals

Please review post and response expectations. Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets criteria.

NU670 Unit 2 Discussion – Neurotransmitters

Instructions

It is anticipated that the initial discussion post should be in the range of 250-300 words. Response posts to peers have no minimum word requirement but must demonstrate topic knowledge and scholarly engagement with peers. Substantive content is imperative for all posts. All discussion prompt elements for the topic must be addressed. Please proofread your response carefully for grammar and spelling. Do not upload any attachments unless specified in the instructions. All posts should be supported by a minimum of one scholarly resource, ideally within the last 5 years. Journals and websites must be cited appropriately. Citations and references must adhere to APA format.

Classroom Participation

Students are expected to address the initial discussion question by Wednesday of each week. Participation in the discussion forum requires a minimum of three (3) substantive postings (this includes your initial post and posting to two peers) on three (3) different days. Substantive means that you add something new to the discussion supported with citation(s) and reference(s), you are not just agreeing. This is also a time to ask questions or offer information surrounding the topic addressed by your peers. Personal experience is appropriate for a substantive discussion, however, should be correlated to the literature.

All discussion boards will be evaluated utilizing rubric criterion inclusive of content, analysis, collaboration, writing, and APA. If you fail to post an initial discussion or initial discussion is late, you will not receive points for content and analysis, you may however post to your peers for partial credit following the guidelines above.

Discussion Prompt

Describe the chemical and electrical processes used in neurotransmission.
Why are depolarizations referred to as excitatory postsynaptic potentials and hyperpolarization as inhibitory postsynaptic potentials?
What are the differences between absolute and relative refractory periods?

Responses need to address all components of the question, demonstrate critical thinking and analysis and include peer-reviewed journal evidence to support the student’s position.

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with in-text citations and corresponding references in APA format.

Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets the criteria.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

NU670 Unit 3 Discussion – Ion Channels

Instructions

Classroom Participation

All discussion boards will be evaluated utilizing rubric criteria inclusive of content, analysis, collaboration, writing, and APA. If you fail to post an initial discussion or initial discussion is late, you will not receive points for content and analysis, you may however post to your peers for partial credit following the guidelines above.

Discussion Prompt

Compare and contrast the two different major classes of ion channels.
Explain the difference between full agonists, partial agonists, antagonists, inverse agonists.

Responses need to address all components of the question, demonstrate critical thinking and analysis and include peer-reviewed journal evidence to support the student’s position.

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with in-text citations and corresponding references in APA format.

Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets the criteria.

Estimated time to complete: 3 hours

NU670 Unit 4 Discussion – Ion Channels

Instructions

Classroom Participation

Discussion Prompt

Differentiate between the opening of a ligand-gated ion channel and a voltage-sensitive ion channel.

Responses need to address all components of the question, demonstrate critical thinking and analysis and include peer-reviewed journal evidence to support the student’s position.

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with in-text citations and corresponding references in APA format.

Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets the criteria.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

NU670 Unit 4 Exam 1

NU670 Unit 5 Discussion – Medications for Depression and Anxiety Related Disorders

Instructions:

Classroom Participation:

Initial Discussion Question/Prompt [Due Wednesday]

A 24-year-old female presents to your office stating that she is troubled by headaches and fatigue. She says that she always feels tired and can’t sleep well, often waking up early if she gets to sleep at all. She describes her headaches as dull, aching, and generalized. These symptoms began about three weeks ago and have been getting worse. She reports a lack of interest in her usual activities, even the ones that she used to enjoy. She also reports that she is missing work due to fatigue and inability to concentrate. Although both her children are in school, she is concerned that she is “losing them”. She is worried that she might have “something bad” because she has difficulty concentrating and is having frequent crying spells. She reports a loss of appetite, with a weight loss of 10 pounds in the last month.
The patient has no significant past medical or psychiatric history and takes no regular medications. However, she takes ibuprofen for headaches. She denies using alcohol or drugs. The patient is married, with two elementary school-age children.
1. What diagnosis do you believe may apply to this individual?
2. What classifications of medications can be used to treat this disorder? Which medication do you recommend and why?

Responses need to address all components of the question, demonstrate critical thinking and analysis and include peer-reviewed journal evidence to support the student’s position.

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with in-text citations and corresponding references in APA format.

Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets the criteria.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

NU670 Unit 6 Discussion – Medications for Bipolar Disorder

Instructions

Classroom Participation

All discussion boards will be evaluated utilizing rubric criteria inclusive of content, analysis, collaboration, writing, and APA. If you fail to post an initial discussion or the initial discussion is late, you will not receive points for content and analysis, you may however post to your peers for partial credit following the guidelines above.

Discussion Prompt [Due Wednesday]

An individual is referred to your office by his parole officer. This 19-year-old male, named Sam, was recently arrested for a “psychotic break” that caused him to throw a chair through the neighborhood drug store window. Sam’s parents arrive and Sam agrees to have his parents present during the interview.

His parents state Sam recently withdrew from college after experiencing a “resounding moment” in which he changed his major from engineering to philosophy and increasingly had reduced his sleep, spending long hours engaging individuals in the commons in conversations about the nature of reality and how he is gaining an appreciation “for all life”. He had been convinced about the importance of his ideas, stating frequently that he was more learned and advanced than all his professors. He told many that “I should be the one teaching these courses, after all, I understand it much better than my professors”. Sam has also increased the number of high-risk behaviors – drinking and engaging in sexual relations in a way that was unlike his previous history. He also has spent a considerable sum of money on “projects to help the world” – unfortunately, he has never completed a project.

Sam’s parents also state that Sam was diagnosed previously by his PCP with MDD and GAD. “These new behaviors are just that – new – since he went to college”.

Further discussions with Sam and his parents reveal that he has never experienced hallucinations and you believe that he currently is not experiencing any delusions. Sam states “I am what I am”.

What diagnosis do you believe may apply to this individual?
What classifications of medications can be used to treat this disorder? Which medication do you recommend and why?

Responses need to address all components of the question, demonstrate critical thinking and analysis and include peer-reviewed journal evidence to support the student’s position.

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with in-text citations and corresponding references in APA format.

Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets the criteria.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

NU670 Unit 7 Assignment – Case Study Discussion

Instructions

Evaluating and managing the side effects of psychotropics is an important part of prescribing. Some side effects can be safely monitored and managed by a PMHNP. While others may require additional tests, collaboration with primary care providers, or even referrals to specialists. It is key to know which side effects are “ok” to treat and which should really be treated by a different provider. Part of this answer may depend on the state in which you ultimately practice, as what you are allowed to prescribe may vary state by state.

  For this assignment, you will review the PowerPoint 

Evaluating and Managing Side Effects of Psychiatric Medications Download Evaluating and Managing Side Effects of Psychiatric Medications [PowerPoint]

Locate your assigned case study and answer the questions which correspond to the FIRST letter of your LAST name. The answers to these questions will be located in the PowerPoint, but you will need to do additional research to support your decisions.

Then you will respond to the main postings of two other learners; at least one response should be to a peer who has answered questions different from yours.

Recall that your main posting should be submitted by Friday at 11:59 p.m., Eastern time. All responses to other learners’ discussion questions must be submitted no later than Sunday at 11:59 p.m, Eastern time in order to be considered for grading purposes.

If your LAST name begins with the letter A through N, please read the following and address the questions:

A 56-year-old woman signs up with you as her new PMHNP. Her previous diagnosis included hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, moderate obesity, and hypertension. Her medications include Paroxetine 20 mg for 10 years; Quetiapine 150 mg daily for 2 yrs.; Irbesartan 300 mg daily for 1 yr.; and Atorvastatin 10 mg daily for 1 yr.
Labs: FBS = 126, HgbA1C = 6.2, total cholesterol = 200, LDL = 105, HDL = 35, Tg =286. Her present height equal 5’9” and weight = 210 lbs. Her BP is 140/84.
She tells you that about 10 yrs. ago she became depressed and was started on Paroxetine and gained 30lbs after 1 yr. Her mood at that time was much improved and remained that way for about 2 yrs. At that time, Quetiapine was added, and she achieved remission of her depression. Six months after this she gained another 20lbs, developed mild hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. All other lab including thyroid testing was normal. She tells you that she has a craving for carbohydrates and does little exercise since developing depression about 15 yrs. ago.

  Questions:

What advice or modifications to his treatment regimen would you recommend for your new patient? (Discuss a minimum of two). Please support your answer with research-based evidence.
If you suggested additional medication, look up your state’s prescribing laws. Are PMHNP’s able to prescribe the medication you recommended?

If your LAST name begins with the letters O through Z please address the following:

Patient is a 47-year-old woman with bipolar disorder and anxiety. She has been stable on a combination of duloxetine and quetiapine for a number of years. She smokes, and has diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. She is concerned about her weight and asks whether there are medications that she can take to aid in weight loss. She says that she has been told indirectly, by her friends and family, that she is “overweight.” She has tried several “fad” diets without lasting success. She has not been unable to maintain any weight loss for more than a few months.
She tells you that she “watches what she eats” and reads the nutritional labels on food packaging but enjoys eating out and often orders take-out meals. She works full time and spends most of her day sitting in an office. She belongs to a fitness club, but her attendance is inconsistent.
She also confides that she has trouble reaching orgasm regardless of what she tries.

  Questions:

What would be your approach to managing this patient’s weight concern? (Discuss at least two aspects of your approach). Please support your answer with research-based evidence.
What would be our approach for the sexual side effects she is experiencing?
If you suggested additional medication, look up your state’s prescribing laws. Are PMHNP’s able to prescribe the medication you recommended?

NU670 Unit 7 Discussion – Medications for Psychosis and Schizophrenia Related Disorders

Instructions

Classroom Participation

Discussion Prompt

Answer the following questions:

Which antipsychotics are considered first-generation and why are they used less often than second generation antipsychotics? Are second-generation antipsychotics more effective?
Compare and contrast the following conditions: Tardive Dyskinesia, Acute Dystonia, Athetosis, and Tics.

Responses need to address all components of the question, demonstrate critical thinking and analysis and include peer-reviewed journal evidence to support the student’s position.

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with in-text citations and corresponding references in APA format.

Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets the criteria.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

NU670 Unit 7 Exam 2

NU670 Unit 8 Discussion – Medications for Sleep Disorders

Instructions

Classroom Participation

Discussion Prompt

What screening tools can be used to affirm your initial diagnosis that a patient may meet the diagnostic criteria for a sleep disorder?
Describe the pharmacological actions of non-z sleep medications?
What problems can occur when benzodiazepines are used to help with sleep?

Responses need to address all components of the question, demonstrate critical thinking and analysis and include peer-reviewed journal evidence to support the student’s position.

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with in-text citations and corresponding references in APA format.

Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets the criteria.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

NU670 Unit 9 Discussion – ADHD Medications

Instructions

Classroom Participation

Discussion Prompt

Thomas Deliver, a 36-year-old male patient, enters your office for his initial appointment. According to the intake paperwork, Mr. Deliver is a computer programmer who is complaining of problems with concentration, completing tasks, and being terrible at listening during company meetings and even at home. He explains that he has difficulty starting and completing work projects and trouble being on time or keeping appointments and commitments. He has divorced 3 months ago and has joint custody of two daughters ages 6 and 10 years old. On most days, he sleeps late and he has trouble keeping a regular schedule and getting his children to their lessons and extracurricular appointments on time.

Mr. Deliver believes the lack of concentration and poor communication with his wife led to the divorce, and Mr. Deliver worries that his trouble with organization and attention may affect his custody agreement and prevent him from keeping his job.

Mr. Deliver’s employer and his family and friends have suggested to him that he should get evaluated for ADHD, but he has resisted because of concerns about the stigma of a psychiatric diagnosis and the risks of taking a psychotropic medication.

Mr. Deliver is 5’11” and his weight is 165 lb. He takes a men’s multivitamin daily, HCTZ at 25 mg for hypertension, fish oil 1,000 mg at bedtime for hyperlipidemia, and a rescue inhaler that he keeps with him although he hasn’t had to use it for many years.

What screening tools can be used to affirm your initial diagnosis that Mr. Deliver meets the criteria for ADHD?
Further assessment determines that Mr. Deliver does meet the criteria for ADHD, inattentive type. What is the current recommendation for pharmacological treatment for Mr. Deliver?

Assume that instead of Mr. Deliver being 36-years-old, Thomas is a 13-year-old male that also meets the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, hyperactive type (Thomas is not on any medications at this age). How will your pharmacological treatment change?

Responses need to address all components of the question, demonstrate critical thinking and analysis and include peer-reviewed journal evidence to support the student’s position.

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with in-text citations and corresponding references in APA format.

Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets the criteria.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

NU670 Unit 10 Discussion – Medications for Dementia

Instructions

Classroom Participation

Discussion Prompt [Due Wednesday]

Mrs. Taylor Outcome is a 73-year-old female currently living at her own residence; however, her daughter is worried that Mrs. Outcome may be “losing it” after she left a burner on and caused a small fire in her house. After this event, Mrs. Outcome’s daughter, Teresa, stayed with her mother to make sure she was “all right”. Teresa noted that during the night her mother once yelled out “help me, help me.” Teresa also noted some confusion between day and night evidenced by her mother sleeping in the day and staying up at night.

Mrs. Outcome and her daughter arrive at your practice. As is standard, you have the nurse perform some standardized tests.

The scores on her tests are listed below:

FAQ = 13/30
GAD-7 = 7/21
PHQ-9 = 8/27
MMSE = 20/30
Clock drawing test = 2/5

Please answer the following questions about Mrs. Outcome.

Based on the test scores above, do you believe that Mrs. Outcome does have dementia?
What are the differences between delirium and dementia?
What two categories of medications are often used to treat dementia and how do these medications work?

Responses need to address all components of the question, demonstrate critical thinking and analysis and include peer-reviewed journal evidence to support the student’s position.

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with in-text citations and corresponding references in APA format.

Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets the criteria.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

NU 670 Unit 10 Exam 3

NU 670 Unit 11 Discussion – Medications for Pain Management

Instructions

Classroom Participation

Discussion Prompt

Why are many parties, including the U.S. Government, concerned about the use of opioids for pain management?
Which mental health disorders are commonly associated with patients who also need pain relief?
What is an MME and how is it calculated?

Responses need to address all components of the question, demonstrate critical thinking and analysis and include peer-reviewed journal evidence to support the student’s position.

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with in-text citations and corresponding references in APA format.

Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets the criteria.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

NU 670 Unit 12 Discussion – Impulsivity and Compulsivity

Instructions

Classroom Participation

Discussion Prompt [Due Wednesday]

Please describe the role of the mesolimbic dopamine pathway in the development or continuation of impulsive/compulsive behaviors.
Please provide two examples of current research on interventions to reduce or eliminate compulsive/impulsive behavior related to addiction.

Responses need to address all components of the question, demonstrate critical thinking and analysis and include peer-reviewed journal evidence to support the student’s position.

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with in-text citations and corresponding references in APA format.

Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets the criteria.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

NU 670 Unit 13 Discussion – Medications for Opioid Substance Use Disorder

Instructions

Classroom Participation

Discussion Prompt [Due Wednesday]

Why is naloxone added to Suboxone to treat opioid use disorders?
What is the COWS?

Responses need to address all components of the question, demonstrate critical thinking and analysis and include peer-reviewed journal evidence to support the student’s position.

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with in-text citations and corresponding references in APA format.

Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets the criteria.

Estimated time to complete: 1 hour

NU 670 Unit 13 Exam 4

NU 670 Unit 14 Assignment – Commonly Abused Nonprescription Drugs

Instructions

Complete the attached Commonly Abused Nonprescription Drugs Word document.

Estimated time to complete: 4 hours

Assignment File(s)

Commonly Abused Nonprescription Drugs

NU 670 Unit 15 Discussion – Special Populations

Instructions

Classroom Participation

Discussion Prompt [Due Wednesday]

Choose a special population and discuss the challenges this population will have obtaining treatment for mental health issues.

Responses need to address all components of the question, demonstrate critical thinking and analysis, and include peer-reviewed journal evidence to support the student’s position.

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with in-text citations and corresponding references in APA format.

Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets the criteria.

Estimated time to complete: 1 hour

NU 670 Unit 15 Assignment – PMHNP Portfolio for Clinical Practice

Instructions

Please submit the portfolio document that you have worked on throughout the course by the due date.

Assignment File(s)

NU670-PMHNP Portfolio for Clinical Practice

NU 670 Unit 15 Exam 5

NU 670 Unit 16 Discussion – Reflection

Please respond to the following questions based upon these course objectives:

Understand and be able to articulate the fundamentals of neurotransmission as it relates to prescribing psychotropic medications for clients with acute and chronic mental health conditions.
Discuss major categories of psychotropic drugs, their rationale for use, mechanisms of action, common side effects, and drug interactions.
Discuss evidence to support and the appropriate use of complimentary alternative medications in patients that are experiencing acute and chronic mental health conditions seeking adjunctive or monotherapy treatment while considering cultural and genetic factors as well as patient values.
Utilize clinical assessment tools associated with diagnosing and prescribing for psychiatric disorders and begin to utilize these tools in clinical settings to assist with diagnosis and treatment of chronic mental health conditions.
Propose psychotherapeutic medication for selected patients keeping in mind safety concerns while utilizing knowledge of current mental health, medical concerns, age, gender, cultural factors, genetic factors, ethical concerns, patient values, and prescriptive authority impact decision making.
Utilize research and provide basic diagnostic and psychopharmacology education to your client and his/her family when prescribing.
Understand ethical and legal considerations and controversies in current pharmacological treatment of mental health patients.

Please answer the following questions with supporting examples and full explanations.

For each of the learning objectives, provide an analysis of how the course supported each objective.
Explain how the material learned in this course, based upon the objectives, will be applicable to the professional application.

Provide evidence (citations and references) to support your statements and opinions. Responses to these questions are due by Tuesday at 11:59 AM.

All references and citations should in APA format.

There is no peer response required for this discussion, but feel free to discuss these topics with classmates.

NU670-8G Advanced Pharmacology and Health Promotion