Read “Reconceptualizing Program Outcomes” and “Leveling EBP Content for Undergraduate Nursing Students” for a better understanding of issues within curriculum development.

Select an issue within curriculum development that is of interest to you.

Write a paper of 1,000-1,250 words on the issue, discussing its affect and relevance to nursing, staff or patient education.

1. Why is this issue a problem at your place of employment?
2. What are your proposed strategies to resolve these issues?
3. Use at least three to five scholarly, peer-reviewed resources less than 5 years old in addition to the course materials. Make sure that you do not use the two sources given in this assignment.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

When politics and medical science intersect, there can be much debate. Sometimes anecdotes or hearsay are misused as evidence to support a particular point. Despite these and other challenges, however, evidence-based approaches are increasingly used to inform health policy decision-making regarding causes of disease, intervention strategies, and issues impacting society. One example is the introduction of childhood vaccinations and the use of evidence-based arguments surrounding their safety.

In this Discussion, you will identify a recently proposed health policy and share your analysis of the evidence in support of this policy.

To Prepare:

• Review the Congress website provided in the Resources and identify one recent (within the past 5 years) proposed health policy.
• Review the health policy you identified and reflect on the background and development of this health policy.

By Day 3 of Week 7

Post a description of the health policy you selected and a brief background for the problem or issue being addressed. Explain whether you believe there is an evidence base to support the proposed policy and explain why. Be specific and provide examples.

This also comes with two posts that will each need a reply and at least two references all in APA 7 format. the rubric is attached below please meet the standards.  

Discussion 1 TY

Health Policy: COVID Research Act of 2020

MAIN QUESTION POST- Health policy is essential in nursing. According to Liao (2019), “policies reflect public opinion as well as evidence-based data” (p.90). The health policy I want to discuss is the COVID Research Act of 2020 or also known as the Computing Opportunities to Vanquish Infectious Diseases Research Act of 2020 (“H.R.6599 – 116th Congress (2019-2020): COVID research Act of 2020,” 2020). This policy is to help address the issue of infectious diseases and how to prepare for them. COVID-19 has taken a toll on the health and economy throughout the world. This policy would create a group to be responsible for dealing with pandemics.  A group to prepare for pandemic outbreaks and to help create strategies to address challenges during a health crisis is essential (“H.R.6599 – 116th Congress (2019-2020): COVID research Act of 2020,” 2020). Using evidence-based research will allow this policy to help prepare for upcoming pandemics.

I believe there is no better time in society to address this policy than now. The research done by healthcare professionals can help policymakers understand essential information (Hebda, 2019). APRNs and research groups can work together to help address and improve health policies. With COVID-19 being a significant concern, this supports why this policy needs addressed. Evidence-based research is required to help create a plan of action for the current and emerging pandemics. By creating a group dedicated to this policy will help the overall health of the population. For example, there is a need for a vaccine for COVID-19. With this policy in place, they could have predicted COVID-19 and been preparing a vaccine. Research on the spread and severity could have begun before the COVID-19 pandemic and helped decrease worldwide exposure rates. There is strong evidence to support the COVID Research Act of 2020 based on the worldwide pandemic status. Throughout history, pandemics have taken a toll on the health of the country. For example, the Influenza pandemic has led to annual flu shots starting in October (the peak season).  The COVID Research Act of 2020 health policy would benefit healthcare now and in the future.

References

Hebda. T.. (2019). The impact of EHRs, big data, and evidence-informed practice. In J. A. Milstead,  & N. M. Short (Eds.), Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed., pp 133-150). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning

H.R.6599 – 116th Congress (2019-2020): COVID research Act of 2020. (2020, April 23). Congress.gov | Library of Congress. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6599?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22health+policy%22%5D%7D&s=3&r=86 

Liao, C. (2019). Public policy design. In J. A. Milstead,  & N. M. Short (Eds.), Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed., pp 87-99). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning

Discussion 2 ML

Week 7 Discussion Post

            I found and reviewed the Sexual Assault Victims Protection Act of 2019 on the congress.gov. The summary includes,

“This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a series of activities relating to sexual assault evidence and treatment. Among other things, HHS must establish a task force to improve forensic evidence collection related to sexual assault, maintain a website with resources and best practices related to the treatment of individuals for sexual assault, and host an annual meeting to address gaps in health care relating to sexual assault. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must require Medicare-participating hospitals, in their community call plans relating to on-call coverage, to specifically delineate coverage responsibilities with respect to screening and treatment related to sexual assault.”( Congress,2020).

As a nurse in the emergency room I find that this proposed health policy would be beneficial in the way healthcare teams are required to treat possible sexually assault victims. I know that my hospital in the past did not have any specially trained individuals to conduct the assessment and collection of forensics in these cases. With this being the case, nurses were not comfortable at doing this and things could get missed or mishandle with patient. Policy and procedures have changed for much improvement in this practice that now we have SANE nurses who conduct all assessments and collection of forensics. “Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) are registered nurses who have completed specialized education and clinical preparation in the medical forensic care of the patient who has experienced sexual assault or abuse. “(International Association of Forensic Nurses,2014-2020). I believe that there is evidence based on the need for the policy and changes in the health care practice from personal experience. For example, I had a pediatric patient in ER that mother brought in with possible sexual abuse. I do not feel properly trained to conduct this investigation on this child and would not want to say or do the wrong thing during such a sensitive time. At that point I call the SANE nurse on call that comes in and does everything needed for that patient. Even the provider does not go see the patient before the SANE nurse arrives and collection all information and data. Having policies in place for facilities to provide access to specialty trained nurse will provide better patient care and less traumatic care.

References

Congress.gov. (2020). H.R.4758 – Sexual Assault Victims Protection Act of 2019. Retrieved on October 11, 2020 from  https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/4758/all-info?r=5&s=7

International Association of Forensic Nurses. (2014-2020). Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. Retrieved on October 11, 2020 from https://www.forensicnurses.org/page/aboutSANE

 

1. Find a root in the appendix of our textbook or in an online search of medical terms. Then change the root into three other terms by adding different prefixes and/or suffixes. These must be “actual” words that are of accepted use in medical language.
2. Deconstruct each of your three medical terms. Tell what each word part is (prefix, root, and/or suffix) and define each word part.
3. Give the definitions for each new medical term.
4. Then use each term correctly in a sentence IN A MANNER THAT MAKES THE MEANING OF THE TERM CLEAR FROM CONTEXT.
5. Be sure to review the terms already posted on the discussion board for this assignment. Only use terms that have not been previously used. Also, do not use the examples given in the video or in these instructions for your post.
6. After posting your idea, respond to two other posts by members of your Discussion Group in a substantive and meaningful manner. Be sure to address the person by name, restate their three terms, and explain how you think understanding these terms will be helpful to you in the future.
7.  This is a graded activity. Please refer to the rubric for grading criteria.

EXAMPLE:

The root is thyroid for this example.

1. Hyper-thyroid-ism: overactive or excessive production of thyroid hormones.

• Prefix is hyper- : excessive or above
• root is thyroid: thyroid gland
• suffix -ism: condition
• Sentence: Hyperthyroidism can accelerate your body’s metabolism, causing unintentional weight loss and a rapid or irregular heartbeat.

2. Hypo-thyroid-ism: deficiency of thyroid hormone

• Prefix: hypo– : deficient; below; under; less than normal
• Root: thyroid: thyroid gland
• Suffix: -ism: condition
• Sentence: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) Major symptoms include fatigue, cold sensitivity, constipation, dry skin, and unexplained weight gain.

3. Thyroid-itis: inflammation of the thyroid gland.

• Root is thyroid: thyroid gland
•  Suffix -itits: inflammation
• Sentence: The most obvious symptom of subacute thyroiditis is pain in the neck caused by a swollen and inflamed thyroid gland.

 

Patients are frequently uncomfortable discussing with healthcare professional’s issues that involve the genitalia and rectum; however, gathering an adequate history and properly conducting a physical exam are vital. Examining case studies of genital and rectal abnormalities can help prepare advanced practice nurses to accurately assess patients with problems in these areas.

In this Lab Assignment, you will analyze an Episodic note case study that describes abnormal findings in patients seen in a clinical setting. You will consider what history should be collected from the patients, as well as which physical exams and diagnostic tests should be conducted. You will also formulate a differential diagnosis with several possible conditions.

To Prepare

• Review the Episodic note case study your instructor provides you for this week’s Assignment. Please see the “Course Announcements” section of the classroom for your Episodic note case study.
• Based on the Episodic note case study:
  • Review this week’s Learning Resources, and consider the insights they provide about the case study. Refer to Chapter 3 of the Sullivan resource to guide you as you complete your Lab Assignment.
  • Search the Walden library or the Internet for evidence-based resources to support your answers to the questions provided.
  • Consider what history would be necessary to collect from the patient in the case study.
  • Consider what physical exams and diagnostic tests would be appropriate to gather more information about the patient’s condition. How would the results be used to make a diagnosis?
  • Identify at least five possible conditions that may be considered in a differential diagnosis for the patient.

The Lab Assignment

Using evidence-based resources from your search, answer the following questions and support your answers using current evidence from the literature.

• Analyze the subjective portion of the note. List additional information that should be included in the documentation.
• Analyze the objective portion of the note. List additional information that should be included in the documentation.
• Is the assessment supported by the subjective and objective information? Why or why not?
• Would diagnostics be appropriate for this case, and how would the results be used to make a diagnosis?
• Would you reject/accept the current diagnosis? Why or why not? Identify three possible conditions that may be considered as a differential diagnosis for this patient. Explain your reasoning using at least three different references from current evidence-based literature.

EPISODIC CASE STUDY

 Week 10: Special Examinations—Breast, Genital, Prostate, and Rectal GENITALIA ASSESSMENT 

Subjective: 

• CC: “I have bumps on my bottom that I want to have checked out.” 

• HPI: AB, a 21-year-old WF college student reports to your clinic with external bumps on her genital area. She states the bumps are painless and feel rough. She states she is sexually active and has had more than one partner during the past year. Her initial sexual contact occurred at age 18. She reports no abnormal vaginal discharge. She is unsure how long the bumps have been there but noticed them about a week ago. Her last Pap smear exam was 3 years ago, and no dysplasia was found; the exam results were normal. She reports one sexually transmitted infection (chlamydia) about 2 years ago. She completed the treatment for chlamydia as prescribed.

 • PMH: Asthma • Medications: Symbicort 160/4.5mcg 

• Allergies: NKDA • FH: No hx of breast or cervical cancer, Father hx HTN, Mother hx HTN, GERD 

• Social: Denies tobacco use; occasional etoh, married, 3 children (1 girl, 2 boys)

 Objective: 

• VS: Temp 98.6; BP 120/86; RR 16; P 92; HT 5’10”; WT 169lbs 

• Heart: RRR, no murmurs 

• Lungs: CTA, chest wall symmetrical 

• Genital: Normal female hair pattern distribution; no masses or swelling. Urethral meatus intact without erythema or discharge. Perineum intact. Vaginal mucosa pink and moist with rugae present, pos for firm, round, small, painless ulcer noted on external labia 

• Abd: soft, normoactive bowel sounds, neg rebound, neg murphy’s, negMcBurney

• Diagnostics: HSV specimen obtained

 Assessment: 

• Chancre 

PLAN: This section is not required for the assignments in this course (NURS 6512) but will be required for future courses. 

As an advanced practice nurse, one can engage in activism in order to achieve desired policy changes at various levels including their own organization.

Answer the following questions;

1. Should nurses be unionized and

2.  How does being unionized impact a workforce culture of safety?

3.  Include one MSN Essential in your discussion that relates to this topic.As an advanced practice nurse, one can engage in activism in order to achieve desired policy changes at various levels including their own organization.

Answer the following questions;

1. Should nurses be unionized and

2.  How does being unionized impact a workforce culture of safety?

3.  Include one MSN Essential in your discussion that relates to this topic.

250-300 words. APA style.