NRNP 6645 Week 9 Assignment: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

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NRNP 6645 Week 9 Assignment: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder – Step-by-Step Guide

The first step before starting to write the NRNP 6645 Week 9 Assignment: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, it is essential to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment. 

It is also important to identify the audience of the paper and its purpose so that it can help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, you should review its use, such as writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review how to format the title page and the headings in the paper.

How to Research and Prepare for NRNP 6645 Week 9 Assignment: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify the list of keywords from your topic using different combinations. The first step is to visit the university library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last words and go through each to check for credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, for example, in APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list. 

You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching about. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next you should create a detailed outline of the paper so that it can help you to create headings and subheadings to be used in the paper. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.

How to Write the Introduction for NRNP 6645 Week 9 Assignment: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part as it helps to provide the context of your work, and will determine if the reader will be interested to read through to the end. You should start with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.

How to Write the Body for NRNP 6645 Week 9 Assignment: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence conducted from the research, ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance and how it connects to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between each paragraph by using transition words and a flow of ideas.

How to Write the In-text Citations for NRNP 6645 Week 9 Assignment: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

In-text citations help the reader to give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their works. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:

The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Smith (2021), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Johnson and Brown (2020) highlight that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.

How to Write the Conclusion for NRNP 6645 Week 9 Assignment: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restarting your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper, by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. End with a call to action that leaves a lasting impact on the reader or recommendations.

How to Format the Reference List for NRNP 6645 Week 9 Assignment: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication. 

Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:

References

Johnson, L. M., & Brown, R. T. (2020). The role of telehealth in improving patient outcomes. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 35(2), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000456

Smith, J. A. (2021). The impact of technology on nursing practice. Health Press.

NRNP 6645 Week 9 Assignment: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Instructions

It is estimated that more almost 7% of the U.S. population will experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in their lifetime (National Institute of Mental Health, 2017). This debilitating disorder often interferes with an individual’s ability to function in daily life. Common symptoms of anxiousness and depression frequently lead to behavioral issues, adolescent substance abuse issues, and even physical ailments. For this Assignment, you examine a PTSD video case study and consider how you might assess and treat clients presenting with PTSD.

To prepare:

  • Review this week’s Learning Resources and reflect on the insights they provide about diagnosing and treating PTSD.
  • View the media Presentation Example: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and assess the client in the case study. 
  • For guidance on assessing the client, refer to Chapter 3 of the Wheeler text.

Note: To complete this Assignment, you must assess the client, but you are not required to submit a formal comprehensive client assessment. Have a look at NRNP 6645 Week 10 Assignment – Therapy For Clients With Personality Disorders.

THE ASSIGNMENT

Succinctly, in 1–2 pages, address the following:

  • Briefly explain the neurobiological basis for PTSD illness.
  • Discuss the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for PTSD and relate these criteria to the symptomology presented in the case study. Does the video case presentation provide sufficient information to derive a PTSD diagnosis? Justify your reasoning. Do you agree with the other diagnoses in the case presentation? Why or why not?
  • Discuss one other psychotherapy treatment option for the client in this case study. Explain whether your treatment option is considered a “gold standard treatment” from a clinical practice guideline perspective, and why using gold standard, evidence-based treatments from clinical practice guidelines is important for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners.

Support your Assignment with specific examples from this week’s media and at least three peer-reviewed, evidence-based sources. Explain why each of your supporting sources is considered scholarly. Attach the PDFs of your sources.

BY DAY 7

Submit your Assignment. Also attach and submit PDFs of the sources you used.

NRNP 6645 Week 9 Assignment: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Example

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder triggered by traumatic experiences, resulting in intrusive recollections and heightened emotional arousal. This paper investigates the case of PTSD in an 8-year-old male patient named Joe, who developed the condition following a minor car accident and subsequent pursuit. Despite the apparent low-level trauma exposure, Joe manifested marked PTSD symptoms. This paper aims to explore the neurological underpinnings of PTSD, the diagnostic framework outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), and effective therapeutic approaches, in addition to an alternative psychotherapeutic treatment modality and its clinical implications.

Neurobiological Basis for PTSD

The etiology of PTSD is proposed to involve a complex interplay of multiple factors triggered by a series of traumatic life experiences. Neurobiologically, PTSD is characterized by alterations in the brain’s stress response system, primarily affecting the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex (Harnett et al., 2020). The amygdala, which processes emotional experiences such as fear, exhibits heightened activation, resulting in increased anxiety and hypervigilance.

The hippocampus, a structure essential for memory formation and regulation, frequently shows signs of atrophy, impacting the ability to contextualize memories (Harnett et al., 2020). Lastly, the prefrontal cortex, involved in executive functions and rational decision-making, demonstrates diminished activity, compromising the capacity to regulate emotional responses (Harnett et al., 2020). The neurobiological changes elicited by trauma culminate in the enduring recollection of the precipitating events, the avoidance of trauma-associated cues, adverse shifts in mood and cognition, and heightened physiological arousal – all hallmarks of PTSD.

DSM-5-TR Diagnostic Criteria for PTSD

The DSM-5 outlines the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, which include exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence; the presence of intrusive symptoms such as distressing memories or flashbacks; persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event; negative changes in cognitions and mood; and marked alterations in arousal and response.

To diagnose PTSD, these symptoms must be present for longer than one month and result in substantial distress or dysfunction in social, occupational, or other crucial areas of life (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Schrader & Ross, 2021). Furthermore, the symptoms must not be better accounted for by the physiological consequences of substance abuse or any other medical or psychiatric condition.

Relating DSM-5-TR Criteria to the Case Study

The subject in the case study presented several characteristic symptoms of PTSD. Joe experienced intrusive recollections of the accident and pursuit, exhibited anxiety prompted by reminders of the incident, and reported disrupted sleep owing to nightmares. Furthermore, he demonstrated physical aggression and emotional volatility, commensurate with the criteria for hyperarousal and reactivity. Based on the symptoms presented in the video case, there is sufficient evidence to determine a PTSD diagnosis. Joe’s symptoms align with the DSM-5 criteria for intrusion, avoidance, negative changes in mood and cognition, and hyperarousal, all of which stem from his traumatic experience.

Other Diagnoses in the Case Presentation

The case presentation further highlighted several other potential diagnoses for the patient, including Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Conduct Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Separation Anxiety Disorder, and a specific phobia of spiders. While some concurrent conditions, such as ADHD and phobias, may be reasonably supported, the co-occurrence of ODD and Conduct Disorder warrants careful reconsideration. Prioritizing the treatment of PTSD as the primary diagnosis could help elucidate the presence and impact of any other underlying conditions.

Alternative Psychotherapy Treatment: EMDR

An alternative psychotherapy treatment for Joe could be Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This structured therapy encourages patients to process traumatic memories while concentrating on external stimuli, often involving side-to-side eye movements (Hudays et al., 2022). According to clinical practice guidelines, EMDR is regarded as a “gold standard” treatment for PTSD due to its empirically validated efficacy in mitigating trauma-related symptoms. Employing gold-standard treatments ensures that patients receive the most effective, evidence-based interventions, which is essential for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners to deliver the highest quality of care.

Conclusion

PTSD is a multifaceted condition with a complex neurological foundation, aligning with specific DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. The case study of Joe demonstrates how even minor perceived traumas can trigger substantial PTSD symptoms. While prioritizing PTSD as the primary diagnosis, alternative interventions such as EMDR provide effective, evidence-based options for comprehensive treatment. Employing these therapies is consistent with clinical practice guidelines, improving the quality and outcomes of mental health care.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. American Psychiatric Association. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

Harnett, N. G., Goodman, A. M., & Knight, D. C. (2020). PTSD-related neuroimaging abnormalities in brain function, structure, and biochemistry. Experimental Neurology, 330(113331), 113331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113331

Hudays, A., Gallagher, R., Hazazi, A., Arishi, A., & Bahari, G. (2022). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing versus cognitive behavior therapy for treating post-traumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(24), 16836. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416836

Schrader, C., & Ross, A. (2021). A Review of PTSD and Current Treatment Strategies. The Journal of the Missouri State Medical Association, 546–551. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8672952/