Compare and Contrast Assignment

     

Purpose  

The purpose of this assignment is for learners to: 

Improve their knowledge base and understanding of disease processes in Neurology 

Have the opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills learned throughout all core courses in the FNP  track and previous clinical courses. 

Demonstrate the ability to analyze the literature be able to perform an evidence-based review of disease presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. 

Demonstrate professional communication and leadership, while advancing the education of peers. 

Demonstrate the ability to take information from assigned readings and translate it into the way you would describe it to a patient or family member in your own words. 

Activity Learning Outcomes  

Through this discussion, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Interpret subjective and objective data to develop appropriate diagnoses and evidence-based management plans for patients and families with complex or multiple diagnoses across the lifespan. (CO 1)  
2. Develop management plans based on current scientific evidence and national guidelines. (CO 4),

Requirements:  

For Week 1 of the course there is no case study given to you by the Faculty. Instead, you will be assigned two diseases to compare and contrast. This information will be posted in the Course Announcements under  Week 1 Welcome as well as the “Assignment” portion of the Week 1 module and will change every session. 

A comparison and contrast assignment’s focus is to identify and explore similarities and differences between two similar diseases. The goal of this exploration is to bring about a better understanding of both diseases. 

You will research the two areas of content assigned to you and compare and contrast them in a discussion post. NOTE: A comparison and contrast assignment is not about listing the info regarding each disease separately but rather looking at each disease side by side and discussing the similarities and differences given the categories below. Consider how each patient would actually present to the office. Paint a picture of how that patient would look, act, what story they would tell.   Consider how their history would affect their diagnosis, etc.  Evaluation of mastery is focused on the student’s ability to demonstrate a specific understanding of how the diagnoses differ and relate to one another. Address the following topics below in your own words:

• Presentation  
• Pathophysiology  
• Assessment  
• Diagnosis  
• Treatment

Compare and contrast the following diagnoses as assigned: 

Benign Positional Vertigo and Meniere’s Disease

**To see view the grading criteria/rubric, please click on the 3 dots in the box at the end of the solid gray bar above the discussion board title and then Show Rubric.

DISCUSSION CONTENT 

 

The post contributes unique perspectives/insights applicable to the identified diseases.  Demonstrates course knowledge by a thorough, thoughtful, specific,  evidence-based discussion of similarities and differences between  assigned diseases in reference to: 

 • Presentation (demographics, the onset of symptoms, associated risk factors) 

• Pathophysiology (knowledge demonstrated in original dialogue) 

 • Assessment (physical assessment, diagnostic testing) 

 • Diagnosis 

 • Treatment 

 

Evidence-Based References 

Discussion post supported by evidence from appropriate sources published within the last five years. The focus of journal articles represents a logical link between the article content and the case study information.  In-text citations and full references are provided. 

 

Interactive Dialogue 

Presents diseases together and responds substantively to at least one peer including evidence from appropriate sources, and all direct faculty questions posted. Substantive posts contribute new, novel perspectives to the discussion using original dialogue (no direct quotes from sources)