NURS 6630 Week 7 Discussion/Assignment: Patient Medication Guide

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NURS 6630 Week 7 Discussion/Assignment: Patient Medication Guide – Step-by-Step Guide

The first step before starting to write the NURS 6630 Week 7 Discussion/Assignment: Patient Medication Guide, 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 NURS 6630 Week 7 Discussion/Assignment: Patient Medication Guide

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 NURS 6630 Week 7 Discussion/Assignment: Patient Medication Guide

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 NURS 6630 Week 7 Discussion/Assignment: Patient Medication Guide

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 NURS 6630 Week 7 Discussion/Assignment: Patient Medication Guide

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 NURS 6630 Week 7 Discussion/Assignment: Patient Medication Guide

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 NURS 6630 Week 7 Discussion/Assignment: Patient Medication Guide

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.

NURS 6630 Week 7 Discussion/Assignment: Patient Medication Guide Instructions

This week, you will create a Medication Study Guide to share with your peers. This guide is intended to be a useful learning tool for you to use as you prepare for your clinical courses.

You will be assigned one of the following medications to create your guide: 

ChlorpromazineFluphenazineHaloperidolLoxapinePerphenazine
AripiprazoleAsenapineClozapineIloperidoneOlanzapine
PaliperidoneQuetiapineRisperidoneZiprasidoneLurasidone
BrexpiprazoleCariprazineLumateperoneBenztropinePropranolol
DeutetrabenazineValbenazine   
To prepare for this Assignment:
  • Identify your assigned psychotropic medication agent.
  • Review this week’s Learning Resources, including the medication resources indicated for this week.
  • Reflect on the psychopharmacologic treatments you might recommend for the assessment and treatment of vulnerable patient populations requiring antidepressant therapy. Have a look at NURS 6630 Week 8 Assignment: Mood Stabilizer.

The Assignment

Create a 3- to 4-page (excluding visual elements) Medication Study Guide for your assigned psychotropic medication agents that may be utilized by you and colleagues for study. Your medication guide should be in the form of an outline and should include a title page, citations, and references. You should incorporate visual elements, such as concept maps, charts, diagrams, images, color coding, mnemonics, and/or flashcards. Be creative!

Note: Your Medication Study Guide should not be in the format of an APA paper.

Also Note: Your guide should be informed by the FDA-Approved and Evidenced-Based, Clinical Practice Guidelines Research.

Areas of importance that you should address—but are not limited to—include:

  • Title page
  • Description of the psychopharmacological medication agent, including brand and generic names, as well as appropriate FDA indication uses
  • Any supporting, valid, and reliable research for non-FDA uses
  • Drug classification
  • The medication mechanism of action
  • The medication pharmacokinetics
  • The medication pharmacodynamics
  • Appropriate dosing, administration route, and any considerations for dosing alterations
  • Considerations of use and dosing in specific specialty populations, such as children, adolescents, elderly, pregnant people, those exhibiting suicidal behaviors, etc.
  • Definition of half-life, why half-life is important, and the half-life for your assigned medication 
  • Side effects/adverse reactions potential
  • Discuss clinical concerns with EPS and Tardive Dyskinesia
    Note: Be sure to include screening tools that would be utilized.
  • Contraindications for use including significant drug to drug interactions
  • Overdose considerations
  • Diagnostics and labs monitoring comorbidities considerations
  • Legal, ethical, and social considerations
  • Pertinent patient education considerations
  • References page

Support your rationale with a minimum of three (3) academic resources.

Note: While you may use the course text to support your rationale, it will not count toward the resource requirement. You should be utilizing primary and secondary literature.

By Day 7 of Week 7

You will need to submit your Assignment to two places:

  1. Week 7 Medication Guide Discussion forum (linked at the button below) as an attachment
  2. Week 7 Medication Guide Assignment submission link

Although no responses are required in the Discussion forum, collegial Discussion is welcome. You are encouraged to utilize your peers’ submitted guides on their assigned medication for study.

NURS 6630 Week 7 Discussion/Assignment: Patient Medication Guide Example

Medication Guide for Ziprasidone: Understanding the Uses, Mechanism, and Considerations

Description of the Psychopharmacological Medication Agent, and FDA Indications

Ziprasidone, marketed under the brand name Geodon, is an atypical antipsychotic medication (also known as a second-generation antipsychotic agent). It has received FDA approval for several indications, including the treatment of schizophrenia, acute agitation associated with schizophrenia, and acute manic or mixed episodes related to bipolar disorder (Bouchette et al., 2022). These FDA-approved uses are well-established, ensuring their clinical application aligns with evidence-based guidelines. Additionally, off-label use of ziprasidone has been reported in the treatment of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety disorders (Bouchette et al., 2022). However, further research is needed to fully understand the drug’s role in managing these conditions.

Pharmacodynamics: Mechanism of Action and Effects

Ziprasidone primarily exerts its therapeutic effects by antagonizing dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain. This antagonism leads to the modulation of neurotransmitter activity, ultimately alleviating symptoms of psychosis and mood disorders. It acts via various receptors, including D2 (dopamine), serotonin type 1 and 2 (5HT1D, 5HT2A), and serotonin 5HT1A receptors (Bouchette et al., 2022). Additionally, ziprasidone exhibits moderate inhibition of the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, and it has alpha-blocking and antihistaminic properties (Bouchette et al., 2022). Through these described mechanisms, Ziprasidone can manifest its effects, including antipsychotic properties, mood-stabilizing effects, antidepressant properties, and some of its associated adverse reactions such as dizziness, hypotension and sedation.

Pharmacokinetics

Understanding the pharmacokinetic properties of Ziprasidone is essential for maximizing treatment outcomes. Considerations about its absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination offer insights into its pharmacokinetic profile. Ziprasidone demonstrates favorable pharmacokinetic features, with around 60% bioavailability when taken orally and complete bioavailability through intramuscular administration (Bouchette et al., 2022). Following oral intake, the highest levels in the blood are attained within 6-8 hours, while intramuscular delivery prompts a swift onset with peak plasma concentrations achieved in under 60 minutes (Bouchette et al., 2022). The medication exhibits high affinity to proteins, particularly albumin, and has a distribution volume of around 1.5 L/kg.

Ziprasidone is primarily metabolized in the liver by the CYP3A4 enzyme, with some contribution from CYP1A2 (Bouchette et al., 2022). It has a half-life of about 7 hours when taken orally and 2-5 hours after injection into the muscle. The half-life of a medication is the duration needed for its concentration in the blood to reduce by half (Andrade, 2022). This factor is critical since it affects how often the medication needs to be taken, the duration of action, and the potential for accumulation or clearance of the drug. The total body clearance is approximately 7.5 mL/min/kg, with most of the drug being excreted in feces (66%) and 20% in urine (Bouchette et al., 2022). The visual representation of Ziprasidone’s pharmacokinetics provides concise information

Dosing, Administration and Dosing Considerations

For schizophrenia, the initial dose is 20 mg of ziprasidone orally every 12 hours with food, increasing by 20 mg every other day as needed, up to a maximum of 80 mg every 12 hours. In bipolar disorder, the recommended initial dose is 40 mg orally twice daily, adjusting up to 80-160 mg daily based on response (Bouchette et al., 2022). Ziprasidone is available in oral and intramuscular forms. Multiple dosing considerations must be taken into account, including elderly patients, who should start with lower doses due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Renal impairment typically does not require dose adjustment for oral use, but caution is advised with intramuscular administration. Hepatic impairment requires careful monitoring due to increased systemic exposure from hepatic metabolism.

Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

Common side effects associated with Ziprasidone that are crucial to consider during treatment management include dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea. However, it is essential to remain vigilant for more severe adverse reactions, such as extrapyramidal symptoms. One notable example is tardive dyskinesia, characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements of the face, tongue, or other body parts. Healthcare professionals closely monitor tardive dyskinesia using screening tools like the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (Chakrabarty et al., 2023). Additionally, akathisia, characterized by a movement disorder that induces restlessness and an inability to remain still, necessitates screening using the Barnes Akathisia Scale (Jouini et al., 2022). These screening tools facilitate early detection and proactive management, ultimately enhancing patient safety and treatment tolerability.

Contraindications, Overdose, and Monitoring

Identification of contraindications, such as hypersensitivity reactions, any drugs or conditions that prolong the QT interval, recent acute myocardial infarction, and uncompensated heart failure, guides healthcare providers in making informed treatment decisions. Knowledge of overdose symptoms of Ziprasidone, including severe drowsiness, hypotension, tachycardia, and cardiac arrhythmias, is essential for mitigating potential risks associated with Ziprasidone therapy (Akinola et al., 2023). Additionally, regular monitoring of vital signs, metabolic parameters, and electrocardiograms ensures early detection of adverse events and informs treatment adjustments as needed.

Legal, Ethical, Social Considerations, and Patient Education

Consideration of legal and ethical implications, such as obtaining informed consent, underscores the importance of patient autonomy and shared decision-making in psychiatric medication use. Addressing social factors influencing medication adherence and access to care is paramount for promoting equitable treatment outcomes. Additionally, patient education on medication use, side effects, and adherence is paramount to foster therapeutic engagement and adherence and empower individuals to actively participate in their treatment journey.

This comprehensive medication guide equips healthcare providers with essential information on Ziprasidone, facilitating safe and effective treatment delivery in clinical practice. This guide supports informed decision-making and promotes patient-centered care by incorporating evidence-based practices and addressing key considerations. When combined with the visual representation of the Ziprasidone medication guide, this information becomes highly valuable for practicing clinicians.

References

Akinola, P. S., Tardif, I., & Leclerc, J. (2023). Antipsychotic-induced metabolic syndrome: A review. Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, 21(6), 294–305. https://doi.org/10.1089/met.2023.0003

Andrade, C. (2022). The practical importance of half-life in psychopharmacology. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 83(4). https://doi.org/10.4088/jcp.22f14584

Bouchette, D., Fariba, K. A., & Marwaha, R. (2022). Ziprasidone. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448157/

Chakrabarty, A. C., Bennett, J. I., Baloch, T. J., Shah, R. P., Hawk, C., & Natof, T. (2023). Increasing abnormal involuntary movement scale (AIMS) screening for tardive dyskinesia in an outpatient psychiatry clinic: A resident-led outpatient lean six sigma initiative. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.39486

Jouini, L., Ouali, U., Ouanes, S., Djebara, M. B., Nacef, F., & Gouider, R. (2022). Akathisia among patients undergoing antipsychotic therapy: Prevalence, associated factors, and psychiatric impact. Clinical Neuropharmacology, 45(4), 89–94. https://doi.org/10.1097/wnf.0000000000000506