The Response Posts will be to two peers (min 250 words) who are not in your alphabetical group, and from two different alphabetical categories. The response posts should focus on any aspect of the nursing process (Assessment, Planning, Intervention, and Evaluation) that relates to the initial post. For example, if the initial post addressed a nursing intervention, then the response could address how the effectiveness of the intervention would be evaluated. The response posts may also use the textbook, but must include a peer-reviewed, current (within the last 5 years) NURSING journal article for each response post. The NURSING journal articles should support the cited nursing interventions. (Two different articles are required.)
MondayJul 12 at 9:32am
An anxiety disorder that I am interested in is post-traumatic stress disorder. This topic interests me because I feel like not enough people in healthcare realize the significant consequences it has on patients. I have a background in beside nursing but also in psych and corrections. Often times I wonder if the stress of incarceration has any long-term effects to my patients that has served a substantial amount of time once they are released. Being incarcerated is certainly not an ideal situation for anyone. My patients have to worry about other inmates harming or threatening them, often times security staff abuses their power and treats the inmates as if they are less than human beings, their lack of freedom and independence and just their overall wellbeing is something that troubles them every day.
The main cause of post-traumatic stress disorder is an exposure to a terrifying life-threatening event and involves stress-induced alterations in neural structures and neurotransmitter systems. The amygdala and the prefrontal cortex are involved in the pathophysiology because the brain structures play a role in how fearful memories are stored, retrieved, and extinguished. When people with post-traumatic stress disorder are exposed to trauma related stimuli, there is an increase activity in the amygdala and diminished activity in the prefrontal cortical areas (McCance & Huether, 2019) .
Different theories can lead to different treatment options. Other reports have demonstrated increased central norepinephrine levels with down-regulated central adrenergic receptors, chronically decreased glucocorticoid levels with up-regulation of their receptors and hemispheric lateralization in which there is a relative failure of left hemispheric function (Goldstein, 2016). Paroxetine and sertraline are considered first-line SSRI medications for chronic PTSD. It has a tendency to lessen the occurrence of nightmares and flashbacks and to treat depression and substance abuse. Other antidepressants may be used to control irritability, insomnia, and muscle tension. Different therapies are also used in combination with medication for effective treatment. There is cognitive processing therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, and stress inoculation training just to name a few.
Reference:
Goldstein, R. B., Smith, S. M., Chou, S. P., Saha, T. D., Jung, J., Zhang, H., Pickering, R. P., Ruan, W. J., Huang, B., & Grant, B. F. (2016). The epidemiology of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder in the United States: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 51(8), 1137–1148. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-016-1208-5
McCance, K. L., & Huether, S. E. (2019). Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children. (8th ed.). Elsevier.
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E-La: Select a mood or anxiety disorder from CH 19 that interests you. Explain the pathophysiology that the author of the chapter offers as the cause of the disorder. Do an Internet search to see if there are other ‘explanations’ regarding the cause of the disorder you selected. How might these different theories of causation lead to different treatments for the disorder?
post 2
YesterdayJul 13 at 2:58pm
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a form of dementia in which there is impairment of memory, cognitive dysfunction, and a decrease in orientation caused by deterioration of the brain. There are three types of Alzheimer’s Disease, including late-onset AD, early-onset familial AD, and early-onset AD. Although the exact cause of AD is currently unknown, there are genetic risks associated with the development of AD. Early-onset familial AD is linked to three genes in which there are mutations on chromosome 21, abnormal presenilin 1 [PSEN1], and abnormal presenilin 2 [PSEN2] (McCance & Huether, 2019). The development of late-onset AD is associated with apolipoprotein E gene-allele 4 on chromosome 19. In general, risk factors for AD include age, family history, smoking, female gender, and head trauma, among many others.
Early signs and symptoms of AD include forgetfulness, for example forgetting the location of car keys. Pathological changes can occur decades prior to signs and symptoms appearing (McCance & Huether, 2019). Eventually, the person with AD will exhibit severe forgetfulness and confusion. To obtain a definitive diagnosis of AD, an autopsy must be done. Other tests include mental status examinations, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, brain imaging, and genetic susceptibility tests.
Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease focuses on maintaining the current cognitive state and slowing down the further deterioration of the brain. AD cannot be cured and therefore symptom management is the priority. Pharmacologic treatments include Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChE-Is) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. There has been researching done that states a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and fish relates to reduced cognitive decline (McCance & Huether, 2019).
My grandfather was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and I believe having a support group for caregivers is amazing. I found an organization named Alzheimer’s Family Organization that is based in various counties such as Lake, Marion, and Sumter County. This organization offers respite care, support groups, and education to caregivers of patients with AD. They also offer special events such as bowling challenges! After reviewing their website, I could feel a sense of community and genuine concern for caregivers. I find it extremely helpful and assuring knowing that they are present in many different counties. The link to their website is https://alzheimersfamily.org/.
Reference:
McCance, K. L., & Huether, S. E. (2019). Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children. (8th ed.). Elsevier.
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A-Ca: Explain the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). How is AD diagnosed? What are the early signs and symptoms of AD? How soon after the onset of pathologic changes in the brain do the symptoms appear? Treatment options? What local support services are available for AD patients and their families? Include a link in the initial post that would be helpful to the caregivers of AD patients.
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