NURS 6521 Week 5: Neurological System

NURS 6521 Week 5: Neurological System Essay Assignment Paper

NURS 6521: Advanced Pharmacology | Week 5 Essay Assignment Paper

According to an article published in the Los Angeles Times, drug misuse is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Some of the most common drugs found in association with drug-related deaths are drugs prescribed to treat neurological disorders. These prescription drug-related deaths are often attributed to painkillers such as OxyContin and Vicodin, as well anti-anxiety drugs such as Valium and Xanax (Girion, Glover, & Smith, 2011). This issue emphasizes the importance of the regulation and management of prescription drugs. You must be aware of this when prescribing controlled drugs commonly used to treat neurological disorders such as headaches, sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression. As an advanced practice nurse, you have the responsibility to carefully diagnose and prescribe treatment, as well as to closely monitor the effects of drug therapies on the physical and mental health of your patients. Foundational concepts in Neuroscience Neurological Sample Paper

In the previous weeks of this course, you began to explore disorders and treatments as they relate to specific body systems. This week, you continue this exploration with the nervous system, but with special considerations in mind. Treatments for nervous system disorders present unique issues not just because of the scope and breadth of the disorders, but also because the types of drugs that are often used for treatment. You examine types of drugs prescribed to treat neurological disorders, as well as the impact of patient factors on the effects of the drugs.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this week, students will: Prepare NURS 6521 Week 5: Neurological System Essay Assignment Paper

• Analyze types of drugs prescribed to treat neurological disorders
• Evaluate the impact of patient factors on the effects of prescribed drugs for neurological disorders
• Evaluate drug therapy plans for neurological disorders
• Analyze patient education strategies for treatment and management of neurological disorders
• Understand and apply key terms, concepts, and principles related to prescribing drugs to treat neurological disorders

Learning Resources

This page contains the Learning Resources for this week. Be sure to scroll down the page to see all of this week’s assigned Learning Resources. To access select media resources, please use the media player below.

Required Readings

Arcangelo, V. P., Peterson, A. M., Wilbur, V., & Reinhold, J. A. (Eds.). (2017). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (4th ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

• • Chapter 7, “Principles of Pharmacology in Pain Management” (pp. 93-109)
    This chapter begins by examining acute and chronic pain. It also explores the pathophysiology of pain, general principles for managing pain, and drugs used in pain management.

    Related to Pain Management:

    • Psychological Neurological Disorders
    • Socw 6200 Assignment managing psychological pain
    • Discussion on Diagnosing Neurological Disorders
  • Chapter 38, “Headaches” (pp. 629-654)
    This chapter covers the causes, pathophysiology, and diagnostic criteria for tension and migraine headaches. It then outlines the process of selecting, administering, and managing drug therapy for headaches, including migraines and cluster headaches.
  • Chapter 39, “Seizure Disorders” (pp. 655-680)
    This chapter explores the causes, pathophysiology, and diagnostic criteria of seizures. It also describes the process of selecting, administering, and managing drug therapy for patients with seizures.
  • Chapter 40, “Major Depressive Disorder” (pp. 681-699)
    This chapter begins by identifying the causes, pathophysiology, and diagnostic criteria of major depressive disorder (MDD). It then examines types of depressions and drugs prescribed to treat patients suffering from MDD.
  • Chapter 41, “Anxiety” (pp. 701-718)
    This chapter examines the causes, pathophysiology, and diagnostic criteria for anxiety. It also outlines the process of selecting, administering, and managing drug therapy for patients with anxiety.
  • Chapter 42, “Insomnia and Sleep Disorders” (pp. 721-755)
    This chapter covers the causes, pathophysiology, and diagnostic criteria of three sleep disorders: insomnia, restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder, and narcolepsy. It also examines the process of selecting, administering, and managing drug therapy for patients with these sleep disorders.
  • Chapter 44, “Alzheimer’s Disease” (pp. 757-780)
    This chapter examines the causes and pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It also describes various drugs used to treat symptoms of AD, including proper dosages and possible adverse reactions.

American Academy of Family Physicians. (2012). Dementia. Retrieved from http://www.aafp.org/afp/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=5

This website provides information relating to diagnosis, treatment, and patient education of dementia. It also presents information on complications and special cases of dementia.

NURS 6521 Week 5: Neurological System Essay Assignment Paper

Required Media

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012). Pharmacology for the nervous system. Baltimore, MD: Author.

This media presentation outlines drug treatment options for disorders of the nervous system.

Optional Resources

Refer to the Optional Resources listed in Week 1.

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Week 5: Neurological System Discussion: Pharmacotherapy for Neurological Disorders Essay Assignment Paper

Neurological disorders, such as headaches, seizure disorders, sleep disorders, depression, and dementia can present several complications for patients of all ages. These disorders affect patients physically and emotionally, impacting judgment, school and/or job performance, and relationships with family and friends. Since these disorders may have drastic effects on patients’ lives, it is important for advanced practice nurses to effectively manage patient care. With patient factors and medical history in mind, it is the advanced practice nurse’s responsibility to manage the diagnosis, treatment, and education of patients with neurological disorders.

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To prepare: NURS 6521 Week 5: Neurological System Essay Assignment Paper

• Review this week’s media presentation on pharmacology for the nervous system.
• Select one of the following neurological disorders: headaches, seizure disorders, sleep disorders, depression, or dementia. Consider the types of drugs that would be prescribed to patients to treat symptoms associated with this disorder.
• Select one of the following factors: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior. Reflect on how this factor might impact the effects of prescribed drugs, as well as any measures you might take to help reduce negative side effects.

With these thoughts in mind:

By Day 3

Post a description of the neurological disorder you selected including types of drugs that would be prescribed to patients to treat associated symptoms. Then, explain how the factor you selected might impact the effects of prescribed drugs, as well as any measures you might take to help reduce negative side effects.

By Day 6

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days who selected a different neurological disorder than you did. Provide recommendations for alternative drug treatments and patient education strategies for treatment and management.