NURS 6521 Assignment Decision Tree for Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders INS

Sample Answer for NURS 6521 Assignment Decision Tree for Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders INS Included After Question

For your Assignment, your Instructor will assign you one of the decision tree interactive media pieces provided in the Resources. As you examine the patient case studies in this module’s Resources, consider how you might assess and treat patients presenting symptoms of neurological and musculoskeletal disorders.

Photo Credit: KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Science Photo Library / Getty Images

To Prepare

  • Review the interactive media piece assigned by your Instructor.
  • Reflect on the patient’s symptoms and aspects of the disorder presented in the interactive media piece.
  • Consider how you might assess and treat patients presenting with the symptoms of the patient case study you were assigned.
  • You will be asked to make three decisions concerning the diagnosis and treatment for this patient. Reflect on potential co-morbid physical as well as patient factors that might impact the patient’s diagnosis and treatment.

By Day 7 of Week 8

Write a 1- to 2-page summary paper that addresses the following:

  • Briefly summarize the patient case study you were assigned, including each of the three decisions you took for the patient presented.
  • Based on the decisions you recommended for the patient case study, explain whether you believe the decisions provided were supported by the evidence-based literature. Be specific and provide examples. Be sure to support your response with evidence and references from outside resources.
  • What were you hoping to achieve with the decisions you recommended for the patient case study you were assigned? Support your response with evidence and references from outside resources.
  • Explain any difference between what you expected to achieve with each of the decisions and the results of the decision in the exercise. Describe whether they were different. Be specific and provide examples.

You will submit this Assignment in Week 8.

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A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 6521 Assignment Decision Tree for Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders INS

Title: NURS 6521 Assignment Decision Tree for Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders INS

It is no coincidence that the neurological system and the musculoskeletal system share both anatomical, physiological, and functional connectivity. This structure-function relationship between the neuronal and muscular topology is responsible for influencing the disease process, the pathogenesis, presentation, diagnostic formulation, and treatment of both systems. Therefore, an understanding of the symptoms of alterations in neurological and musculoskeletal systems is a critical step in diagnosis and treatment and helps in educating the affected patients. This paper provides an account of the interplay between the neurological and the musculoskeletal system, how the racial and ethnic variables impact the physiological functioning, and how these processes interact to affect the patient. 

Pathophysiologic Processes That Would Account for The Patient Presenting These Symptoms 

Conspicuously, the patient has a history of hypertension and smoking that form the basis of his clinical symptoms including left-sided weakness of both the upper and lower limbs and a mild left facial droop. These features suggest a stroke. Hypertension is a well-established cause of stroke through various mechanisms that include acceleration of the arteriosclerotic process in the cerebral arteries thus increasing the risk of stenosis, embolism, and consequently infarction. Furthermore, high intravascular pressure within the cerebral arteries leads to considerable damage to the endothelial lining and alteration of the smooth muscle function (Wajngarten & Silva, 2019). This endothelial damage and altered blood cell-endothelium interaction lead to the formation of local thrombi, ischemia, and cerebral infarction whereas smooth muscle cell degeneration leads to intracerebral hemorrhages.  

Smoking on the other hand is associated with an increased risk of developing a stroke. According to Pan et al. (2019) smokers have an increased risk of overall stroke compared with nonsmokers, with a pooled odds ratio of 1.61 (95% CI: 1.34–1.93). Tobacco smoke contains a lot of chemicals that include nicotine, carbon monoxide, and cyanide among many others. These chemicals increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis, platelet aggregation, hypertension, low levels of high-density cholesterol, and high levels of low-density cholesterol. A complex and multifactorial interaction of the abovementioned factors leads to impaired vascular function resulting in both cardiovascular compromise and cerebral embolism and infarction. 

Racial/Ethnic Variables That May Impact Physiological Functioning 

Generally, evidence shows that a racial disparity exists in the presentation of this physiological process, affecting more blacks as compared to whites. According to a study by Howard et al. (2019), the black individuals aged between 45 and 64 years had a 3-fold increase of developing stroke as compared with the whites. Black individuals have a higher preponderance of stroke because of their high risk to develop metabolic conditions such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking (Tong et al., 2021). 

How These Processes Interact to Affect the Patient 

Neurological and musculoskeletal processes work hand in hand. Every movement the body makes requires communication between the brain and the muscles. Consequently, a pathologic process affecting the neurological process can lead to musculoskeletal manifestations such as hemiplegia, muscle spasms, muscle atrophy, and muscle pain among others. For instance, chronic musculoskeletal pain is principally considered a nervous system disorder as a result of nervous system plasticity (George & Bishop, 2018). Similarly, several factors such as smoking, hypertension, aging, and racial variables impact these physiologic systems resulting in an inherent complexity of interactions that affect patient functioning. 

Conclusion

Musculoskeletal and neurological systems are correlated. Nurses must assess both systems at a given point for effective diagnosis and treatment. It is also elemental to educate the patient concerning modifiable risk factors such as smoking and hypertension that result in occurrences that limit the functioning of the musculoskeletal and neurological systems. 

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References

George, S. Z., & Bishop, M. D. (2018). Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a nervous system disorder… now what? Physical Therapy, 98(4), 209–213. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzy002 

Howard, V. J., Madsen, T. E., Kleindorfer, D. O., Judd, S. E., Rhodes, J. D., Soliman, E. Z., Kissela, B. M., Safford, M. M., Moy, C. S., McClure, L. A., Howard, G., & Cushman, M. (2019). Sex and race differences in the association of incident ischemic stroke with risk factors. JAMA Neurology, 76(2), 179–186. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.3862 

Pan, B., Jin, X., Jun, L., Qiu, S., Zheng, Q., & Pan, M. (2019). The relationship between smoking and stroke: A meta-analysis: A meta-analysis. Medicine, 98(12), e14872. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000014872 

Tong, X., Schieb, L., George, M. G., Gillespie, C., Merritt, R. K., & Yang, Q. (2021). Racial/ethnic and geographic variations in long-term survival among Medicare beneficiaries after acute ischemic stroke. Preventing Chronic Disease, 18(200242), E15. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd18.200242 

Wajngarten, M., & Silva, G. S. (2019). Hypertension and stroke: Update on treatment. European Cardiology, 14(2), 111–115. https://doi.org/10.15420/ecr.2019.11.1 

 

Sabrina is a 26 year old female who has just been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She has scheduled an appointment for a follow

NURS 6521 Assignment Decision Tree for Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders INS
NURS 6521 Assignment Decision Tree for Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders INS

up with her physician but has several questions about her diagnosis and is calling the Nurse Helpline for her hospital network. As she talks with the advanced practice nurse, she learns that her diagnosis also impacts her neurologic and musculoskeletal systems. Although multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder, both the neurologic and musculoskeletal systems will be affected by adverse symptoms that Sabrina needs to be aware of and for which specific drug therapy plans and other treatment options need to be decided on.

As an advanced practice nurse, what types of drugs will best address potential neurologic and musculoskeletal symptoms Sabrina might experience?

Write a 1- to 2-page summary paper that addresses the following:

  • Briefly summarize the patient case study you were assigned, including each of the three decisions you took for the patient presented.
  • Based on the decisions you recommended for the patient case study, explain whether you believe the decisions provided were supported by the evidence-based literature. Be specific and provide examples. Be sure to support your response with evidence and references from outside resources.
  • What were you hoping to achieve with the decisions you recommended for the patient case study you were assigned? Support your response with evidence and references from outside resources.
  • Explain any difference between what you expected to achieve with each of the decisions and the results of the decision in the exercise. Describe whether they were different. Be specific and provide examples.

    NURS 6521 Assignment Decision Tree for Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders INS
    NURS 6521 Assignment Decision Tree for Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders INS

You will submit this Assignment in Week 8.

Submission and Grading Information

 

A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment: NURS 6521 Assignment Decision Tree for Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders INS

Title: NURS 6521 Assignment Decision Tree for Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders INS

The assigned case study demonstrates an adult Caucasian male, at the age of 43 years with pain as the main chief complaint. He reports using crutches as support to promote movement. The patient’s family doctor however claims that the patient’s pain is mental rather than physical. The physician reports that most of the patient’s symptoms are made up, as he is only trying to get narcotics. The patient reports that he started experiencing the pain about 7 years ago when he fell at his work and landed on his right hip. Mental evaluation outcome, in combination with the above presentation, led to a primary diagnosis of complex regional pain disorder (reflex sympathetic dystrophy). Several factors including the patient’s diagnosis, presenting symptoms, age, Caucasian race, and male gender will be utilized in the development of the patient’s care plan.

Decision Point One

The initial intervention was to administer 25mg of amitriptyline per oral every night and gradually increase the dose at intervals of 25 mg every week, not exceeding a maximum dose of 200mg/day. Previous evidence reveals the great effectiveness of amitriptyline in the treatment of complex regional pain disorder, with a rating of 6.6/10 (Javed & Abdi, 2021). Neurontin and Savella were inappropriate with this patient given that the former is unable to manage other symptoms of CRPD other than pain, as the latter would result in insomnia (Eldufani et al., 2020). The patient is expected to display complete remission of symptoms and ambulation without support within four weeks, with great compliance and adherence to the prescribed medication (Handa, 2021).

 Decision Point Two

The second intervention was to encourage the patient to continue taking amitriptyline at a dose of 125 mg every night. According to Suer and Sehgal (2021), attaining the optimum therapeutic dose of amitriptyline can take between 4 to 8 weeks, with the patient being able to completely manage their symptoms within 8 to 12 weeks. The patient displayed great tolerance and adherence to the medication, with the only side effect being a groggy feeling in the morning that can be managed by taking the drug at least one hour before going to bed (Handa, 2021). Lowering the dose of amitriptyline, and introducing Bio freeze roll-on therapy was not necessary as the patient needs long-term therapy, rather than a temporary intervention. Adding Neurontin was also inappropriate given that amitriptyline is considered safer (Taylor et al., 2021). The patient’s symptoms are expected to reduce even further with no groggy feeling the following morning for the next four weeks.

Decision Point Three

The final decision was to advise the patient to continue taking 125mg of amitriptyline every night and refer him to a life coach for appropriate dietary interventions and physical activity/exercise. The patient reported improved pain symptoms, with no groggy feeling the following morning with the previous intervention. This shows the great effectiveness of the drug (Javed & Abdi, 2021). He, however, complained of gaining weight which is a common side effect of the medication that is usually managed with non-pharmacological intervention to promote a positive outcome for the patient (Handa, 2021). Reducing the dose of amitriptyline or introducing a new drug to the patient current regimen would only complicate the adherence and tolerance level of the patient and lead to new side effects with a negative outcome  (Suer & Sehgal, 2021). However, with this intervention, the patient’s body weight is expected to normalize with complete remission of symptoms within the following four weeks (Eldufani et al., 2020).

The case study is about a 76-year-old male Iranian patient suspected of having Alzheimer’s disease. The conclusion is reports based on his eldest son, and during the test, there were no organic disease processes found. The behavioral changes began two years earlier, which involved changes in personality and apathy, accompanied by memory loss, which challenges in recognizing the appropriate words. During the speech, self-reported euthymic mood and clinical interview confabulation are often noticed. The patient often has an impairment and a lack of impulse control in his insight and judgment. There is no reported ideation of suicide, and because of Alzheimer’s disease, the patient is diagnosed with neurocognitive disorder.

Donepezil 5 mg at bedtime will be used as the first approach. The donepezil use has been studied for decades by patients who have Alzheimer’s disease. The medication is an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase, which raises the brain’s acetylcholine levels also makes up for the reduced cholinergic neurons function (Čolović, Krstić, Lazarević-Pašti, Bondžić, & Vasić, 2013). An evaluation of randomized clinical trials analyzes the effect that donepezil has on Alzheimer’s patients utilizing randomized control trials. The results revealed that there is evidence that donepezil is effective in managing this condition in three main fields, including behavior, functional capacity, and cognition (Knowles, 2006, pp. 195–219). These are the key areas in which the patient affected as well as the aim was to reduce his quality of life effect. As demonstrated in the case, he had major personality changes that had a negative impact on his involvement in activities of interest.

The effects of Donepezil vary as complications may occur along with minimal clinical benefits. The patient-reported side effects documented in patients taking this medication, like appetite, loss of weight, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. (Kumar & Sharma., 2019).

The second decision was cognitive behavioral therapy use, that has been shown to have a beneficial effect in early-stage patients of Alzheimer’s disease. In isolated cases, evidence suggesting psychosocial treatments for dementia patients identified (Forstmeier, Maercker, Savaskan, & Roth, 2015). There is also limited empirical information on such approaches, though. Among patients who have neuropsychiatric symptoms, certain researchers have described behavioral treatments as necessary. This may also be used by the patient to promote behavior, especially directed at reducing apathy & enhancing the patient’s self-control. Mood improvement might have a positive effect on the quality of life as well as the patient’s ability to engage in activities that increase his cognitive status.

In this case, the third decision will involve family members in the therapeutic process, which will continue to improve behaviors that help the patient. The aim is to improve the patient’s support system and also daily interactions, though it has been shown to have a significant effect on the emotional and cognitive well-being of dementia patients.

References

Čolović, M. B., Krstić, D. Z., Lazarević-Pašti, T. D., Bondžić, A. M., & Vasić, a. V. (2013). Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: pharmacology and toxicology. Curr Neuropharmacol, 11(3), 315–335. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3648782/

Forstmeier, S., Maercker, A., Savaskan, E., & Roth, a. T. (2015). Cognitive-behavioral treatment for mild Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers (CBTAC): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials., 16. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4650298/

Knowles, J. (2006). Donepezil in Alzheimer’s disease: an evidence-based review of its impact on clinical and economic outcomes. Core Evid., 1(3), 195–219. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3321665/

Kumar, A., & Sharma., S. (2019). Donepezil. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513257/

A Sample Answer 3 For the Assignment: NURS 6521 Assignment Decision Tree for Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders INS

Title: NURS 6521 Assignment Decision Tree for Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders INS

The case study depicts a 43-year-old white male who presents with a complaint of pain. He uses a set of clutches when ambulating. The patient reports that he has been referred for psychiatric assessment by his family doctor since the doctor perceived that he had psychological pain (Laureate Education, 2016). The pain began seven years ago after sustaining a fall and landed on the right hip. Four years ago, it was revealed that the cartilage around the right hip joint had a 75% tear.  However, no surgeon was willing to perform a total hip replacement since they believed that there would be tissue repair over time (Laureate Education, 2016). He reports having severe cramping of the right extremity. A neurologist diagnosed him with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). He states that he gets low moods at times but denies being depressed.  He had been prescribed with Hydrocone but used it in low doses due to drowsiness and constipation, and the drug does not manage pain effectively (Laureate Education, 2016). The mental status exam is unremarkable.

Decision Point One: Savella 12.5 mg orally once daily on Day 1, followed by 12.5 mg BD on Day 2 and 3, then 25 mg BD on days 4-7 and then 50 mg BD after that.

Reason: Savella is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that has NMDA antagonist activity, which brings analgesia at the nerve endings (Cording et al., 2015). It is indicated for fibromyalgia and thus effective for this client (Cording et al., 2015). I prescribed Savella to help in pain management and improve the overall mood.

Expected Result: I anticipated that Savella would lower the degree of pain. However, it was expected that the client would experience adverse effects such as nausea, constipation, headache, hot flushes, and insomnia.

Expected Vs. Actual Results: The client returned to the clinic after for weeks without using crutches but with a bit of limping. He states that the pain has been more manageable. The pain is severe in the morning but improves throughout the day (Laureate Education, 2016). On a scale of 1-10, the client rates the pain at four and states that he gets to a point on most days where he does not need crutches. Nevertheless, he reported having increased sweating, sleeping difficulties, nausea, and palpitations (Laureate Education, 2016). His BP was 147/92, and the pulse at 110. He denied having suicidal ideations and was still future-oriented.

Decision Point 2: Continue with Savella but lower dose to 25 mg twice a day.

Reason: I selected this decision to lower the severity of the adverse effects of Savella, which include nausea, constipation, headache, hot flushes, and insomnia (Cording et al., 2015).

Expected Result: Reduction in the dose of Savella would help control the side effects but lower the degree of pain control.

Expected Vs. Actual Results: The client returned to the clinic in four weeks using crutches and rates his current pain at 7/10. He reports that his condition has declined since the previous month (Laureate Education, 2016). He states that he sleeps at night but frequently wakes up due to pain in the right leg and foot. The BP is at 124/87 and pulse at 87. He denies having palpitations and suicidal ideations but is discouraged by the slip in pain management and seems sad.

Decision Point 3: Change Savella to 25 mg in the morning and 50 mg at Bedtime.

I reduced the dosage in the morning since the pain is mostly under control and increased the dose at Bedtime when there is less control (Resmini et al., 2015).

Expected Result: By lowering the morning dose and increasing the bedtime dose, I expected that the client’s pain symptom would improve while at the same time controlling the side effects of Savella (Resmini et al., 2015).

Expected Vs. Actual Results: The client reported an improvement in the pain with a rate of 3/10 denied having any side effects from the drug.

References

Cording, M., Derry, S., Phillips, T., Moore, R. A., & Wiffen, P. J. (2015). Milnacipran for pain in fibromyalgia in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (10).

Laureate Education. (2016). Case Study: A Caucasian man with hip pain. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Resmini, G., Ratti, C., Canton, G., Murena, L., Moretti, A., & Iolascon, G. (2015). Treatment of complex regional pain syndrome. Clinical cases in mineral and bone metabolism: the official journal of the Italian Society of Osteoporosis, Mineral Metabolism, and Skeletal Diseases12(Suppl 1), 26–30. https://doi.org/10.11138/ccmbm/2015.12.3s.026

Rubric Detail

Select Grid View or List View to change the rubric’s layout.

  Excellent Good Fair Poor
Briefly summarize the patient case study you were assigned, including each of the three decisions you took for the patient presented. Be specific. Points Range: 18 (18%) – 20 (20%)

The response accurately and thoroughly summarizes in detail the patient case study assigned, including specific and complete details on each of the three decisions made for the patient presented.

Points Range: 16 (16%) – 17 (17%)

The response accurately summarizes the patient case study assigned, including details on each of the three decisions made for the patient presented.

Points Range: 14 (14%) – 15 (15%)

The response inaccurately or vaguely summarizes the patient case study assigned, including details on each of the three decisions made for the patient presented.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 13 (13%)

The response inaccurately and vaguely summarizes the patient case study assigned, including details on each of the three decisions made for the patient presented, or is missing.

Based on the decisions you recommended for the patient case study, explain whether you believe the decisions provided were supported by the evidence-based literature. Be specific and provide examples. Be sure to support your response with evidence and references from outside resources. Points Range: 23 (23%) – 25 (25%)

The response accurately and thoroughly explains in detail how the decisions recommended for the patient case study are supported by the evidence-based literature.

The response includes specific and relevant outside reference examples that fully support the explanation provided.

Points Range: 20 (20%) – 22 (22%)

The response accurately explains how the decisions recommended for the patient case study are supported by the evidence-based literature.

The response includes relevant outside reference examples that lend support for the explanation provided that are accurate.

Points Range: 18 (18%) – 19 (19%)

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains how the decisions recommended for the patient case study are supported by the evidence-based literature.

The response includes inaccurate or vague outside reference examples that may or may not lend support for the explanation provided or are misaligned to the explanation provided.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 17 (17%)

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains how the decisions recommended for the patient case study are supported by the evidence-based literature, or is missing.

The response includes inaccurate and vague outside reference examples that do not lend support for the explanation provided, or is missing.

What were you hoping to achieve with the decisions you recommended for the patient case study you were assigned? Support your response with evidence and references from outside resources. Points Range: 18 (18%) – 20 (20%)

The response accurately and thorough explains in detail what they were hoping to achieve with the decisions recommend for the patient case study assigned.

The response includes specific and relevant outside reference examples that fully support the explanation provided.

Points Range: 16 (16%) – 17 (17%)

The response accurately explains what they were hoping to achieve with the decisions recommended for the patient case study assigned.

The response includes relevant outside reference examples that lend support for the explanation provided that are accurate.

Points Range: 14 (14%) – 15 (15%)

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains what they were hoping to achieve with the decisions recommended for the patient case study assigned.

The response includes inaccurate or vague outside reference examples that may or may not lend support for the explanation provided or are misaligned to the explanation provided.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 13 (13%)

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains what they were hoping to achieve with the decisions recommended for the patient case study assigned, or is missing.

The response includes inaccurate and vague outside reference examples that do not lend support for the explanation provided, or is missing.

Explain any difference between what you expected to achieve with each of the decisions and the results of the decisions in the exercise. Describe whether they were different. Be specific and provide examples. Points Range: 18 (18%) – 20 (20%)

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail any differences between what they expected to achieve with each of the decisions and the results of the decisions in the exercise.

The response provides specific, accurate, and relevant examples that fully support whether there were differences between the decisions made and the decisions available in the exercise.

Points Range: 16 (16%) – 17 (17%)

The response accurately explains any differences between what they expected to achieve with each of the decisions and the results of the decisions in the exercise.

The response provides accurate examples that support whether there were differences between the decisions made and the decisions available in the exercise.

Points Range: 14 (14%) – 15 (15%)

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains any differences between what they expected to achieve with each of the decisions and the results of the decisions in the exercise.

The response provides inaccurate or vague examples that may or may not support whether there were differences between the decisions made and the decisions available in the exercise.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 13 (13%)

vaguely explains in detail any differences between what they expected to achieve with each of the decisions and the results of the decisions in the exercise, or is missing.

The response provides inaccurate and vague examples that do not support whether there were differences between the decisions made and the decisions available in the exercise, or is missing.

Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization:
Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance.
Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)

Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity.

Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)

Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time.

Points Range: 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)

Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%–79% of the time.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)

Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity less than 60% of the time.

Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards:
Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation
Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)

Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors

Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)

Contains a few (1–2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors

Points Range: 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)

Contains several (3–4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)

Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding

Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, running head, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list. Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)

Uses correct APA format with no errors

Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)

Contains a few (1–2) APA format errors

Points Range: 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)

Contains several (3–4) APA format errors

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)

Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors

Total Points: 100

Name: NURS_6521_Week8_Assignment_Rubric

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