NURS 6521Assignment: Pharmacotherapy for Cardiovascular Disorders
NURS 6521Assignment: Pharmacotherapy for Cardiovascular Disorders
…heart disease remains the No. 1 killer in America; nearly half of all Americans have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoke—some of the leading risk factors for heart disease…
—Murphy et al., 2018
Despite the high mortality rates associated with cardiovascular disorders, improved treatment options do exist that can help address those risk factors that afflict the majority of the population today.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF
As an advanced practice nurse, it is your responsibility to recommend appropriate treatment options for patients with cardiovascular disorders. To ensure the safety and effectiveness of drug therapy, advanced practice nurses must consider aspects that might influence pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes such as medical history, other drugs currently prescribed, and individual patient factors.
Reference: Murphy, S. L., Xu, J., Kochanek, K. D., & Arias, E. (2018). Mortality in the United States, 2017. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db328.htm
To Prepare
NURS 6521Assignment: Pharmacotherapy for Cardiovascular Disorders
- Review the Resources for this module and consider the impact of potential pharmacotherapeutics for cardiovascular disorders introduced in the media piece.
- Review the case study assigned by your Instructor for this Assignment.
- Select one the following factors: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior factors.
- Reflect on how the factor you selected might influence the patient’s pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes.
- Consider how changes in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes might impact the patient’s recommended drug therapy.
- Think about how you might improve the patient’s drug therapy plan based on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes. Reflect on whether you would modify the current drug treatment or provide an alternative treatment option for the patient.
By Day 7 of Week 2
Write a 2- to 3-page paper that addresses the following:
- Explain how the factor you selected might influence the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes in the patient from the case study you were assigned.
- Describe how changes in the processes might impact the patient’s recommended drug therapy. Be specific and provide examples.
- Explain how you might improve the patient’s drug therapy plan and explain why you would make these recommended improvements.
Reminder: The College of Nursing requires that all papers submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. The College of Nursing Writing Template with Instructions provided at the Walden Writing Center offers an example of those required elements (available at https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/templates/general#s-lg-box-20293632). All papers submitted must use this formatting.
Pharmacotherapy for Cardiovascular Disorders
Patient AO has gained nine pounds of weight and is diagnosed with hyperlipidemia and hypertension. These patients require an effective plan of treatment to help them manage their health. Both hyperlipidemia and hypertension are connected, and one is a risk factor of the other. Using this case, it is evident that the treatment plan is not working out for patient AO. This is because the patient is still having weight gain and is diagnosed with two dangerous cardiovascular conditions. Approximately seventy million in the United States are diagnosed with hypertension. This translates to about one in every three people, and the statistics are not good (Arcangelo et al., 2017).
Impact of Age on Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics
In this scenario, the patient is suffering from three problems; high cholesterol level, high blood pressure, and obesity. As people age and need treatment, there is a need to understand the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in old age (Sera & Uritsky). As one ages, the process of drug absorption, metabolisms, distribution, and excretion are drastically decreased. Due to the decrease in hepatic flow in older people, the rate of drug metabolism by the hepatic cells is lowered. Therefore, drugs having high extraction ratios will have an increase in bioavailability. Therefore, to avoid drug toxicity, initial dosages of medicines need to be given to older patients. It is critical to note that aging also affects renal functions by reducing its excretory function. Hence, these factors show how healthcare providers need to know the dosage prescription for older patients.
Besides, older people are also marked with decreased gastric emptying, slow peristalsis, and colonic transit. These physiological changes in old age affect the rate of absorption (Arcangelo et al., 2017). It is essential to note that factors such as height, weight, behavioral characteristics, and weight are considered before selecting drugs and other treatment plans.
When the drug reaches its targeted site, the pharmacodynamics processes are triggered (Jaobson, 2013). When the drug comes to its targeted site, old age could alter the pharmacodynamics because of the changes in the binding site, differences in the post-receptor effects, and chemical interactions (Durakovic & Vitezic, n.d). The magnitude of drug response is dependent on other parameters. They include the receptors’ density, the affinity of the receptors to the drug, and the signal transduction pathways.
How to Improve the Patient’s Drug Therapy Plan
In determining the best treatment plan for the patient, detailed history taking should be conducted, more laboratory tests such as blood chemistry, EKG, liver, and renal function tests need to be undertaken. It is also noted that patient AO is on several blood pressure drugs (Topinková et al., 2012). It is challenging to know the types of drugs that are effective. There is a need to determine the cause to select the right medicine to use in control hypertension. Secondly, drug interaction needs to be investigated since patient AO is put on many medications. It is essential to start the patient on low dosages then increase the amount steadily to avoid toxicity. Additionally, Patient AO’s loss of weight should be part of the plan of treatment.
In older adults, to help ensure the dosages are prescribed as per the age, it will be necessary to conduct renal function tests. This will help determine the drug dosage, optimize the patient’s hydration status, and be aware of the nephrotoxic drugs to be avoided (Jacobson, 2013). Also, in the elderly, the use of SSRIs has been reported to have an increased risk of GI bleeding due to their antiplatelet properties (Carlo & Alpert, 2015). Because of this, the Sertraline for patient AO needs to be investigated for any potential risks before continuation.
In conclusion, I will recommend the entire medication regimen be stopped. However, I would also suggest more investigations be conducted to find the source of hypertension, obesity, and hyperlipidemia to properly select the drugs in managing the conditions and promote quick healing.
References
Arcangelo, V.P., Peterson, A.M., Wilbur, V., & Reinhold, J.A. (2017). Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice. A Practical Approach. (4th Ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer
Carlo, A. D., & Alpert, J. E. (2015). Geriatric Psychopharmacology: Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Considerations. Psychiatric Annals, 45(7), 336. Doi: 10.3928/00485713-20150626-04
Durakovic, Z., & Vitezic, D. (n.d). Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in the elderly. Periodicum Biologorum, 115(4), 517-520.
Jacobson, S. (2013). Effects of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes in the elderly. Psychiatric Times, (1),
Sera, L., & Uritsky, T. (2016). Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes in older adults and implications for palliative care. Progress in Palliative Care, 24(5), 255-261. doi:10.1080/09699260.2016.1192319
Topinková, E., Baeyens, J.P., Michel, J.P. et al. (2012). Evidence-Based Strategies for the Optimization of Pharmacotherapy in Older People. Drugs Aging 29, 477–494. https://doi.org/10.2165/11632400-000000000-00000
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK2Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 2 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 2 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK2Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
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Week 2 Assignment Rubric
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Submit your Week 2 Assignment draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 2
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Week 2 Assignment
Week 2: Cardiovascular System
Alterations of the cardiovascular system can cause serious adverse events and may lead to death when not treated in a timely and safe manner. Unfortunately, many patients with cardiovascular disorders are unaware until complications appear. In clinical settings, patients often present with symptoms of several cardiovascular disorders, making it essential for you, as the advanced practice nurse, to be able to recognize these symptoms and recommend appropriate drug treatment options.
This week, you examine the impact of patient factors that may lead to changes in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes on patient drug therapy for cardiovascular disorders. You also explore ways to improve drug therapy plans for cardiovascular disorders based on patient factors and overall health needs.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Analyze the influence of patient factors on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes
- Analyze the impact of changes in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes on patient drug therapies
- Evaluate drug therapy plans for cardiovascular disorders
Learning Resources
Rubric Detail
Select Grid View or List View to change the rubric’s layout.
Name: NURS_6521_Week2_Assignment_Rubric
Grid View
List View
Excellent Good Fair Poor
Explain how the factor you selected might influence the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes in the patient from the case study you were assigned.
23 (23%) – 25 (25%)
The response accurately and completely explains in detail how the factor selected might influence the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes in the patient.
20 (20%) – 22 (22%)
The response provides a basic explanation of how the factor selected might influence the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes in the patient.
18 (18%) – 19 (19%)
The response inaccurately or vaguely explains how the factor selected might influence the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes in the patient.
0 (0%) – 17 (17%)
The response inaccurately and vaguely explains how the factor selected might influence the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes in the patient, or is missing.
Describe how changes in the processes might impact the patient’s recommended drug therapy. Be specific and provide examples.
27 (27%) – 30 (30%)
The response accurately and completely describes in detail how changes in the processes might impact the patient’s recommended drug therapy.
Accurate, complete, and aligned examples are provided to support the response.
24 (24%) – 26 (26%)
The response accurately describes how changes in the processes might impact the patient’s recommended drug therapy.
Accurate examples may be provided to support the response.
21 (21%) – 23 (23%)
The response inaccurately or vaguely describes how changes in the processes might impact the patient’s recommended drug therapy.
Inaccurate or vague examples are provided to support the response.
0 (0%) – 20 (20%)
The response inaccurately and vaguely describes how changes in the processes might impact the patient’s recommended drug therapy, or is missing.
Inaccurate and vague examples may be provided to support the response, or is missing.
Explain how you might improve the patient’s drug therapy plan, and explain why you would make these recommended improvements.
27 (27%) – 30 (30%)
The response accurately and clearly explains in detail how to improve the patient’s drug therapy plan.
The response includes an accurate and detailed explanation to support the recommended improvements.
24 (24%) – 26 (26%)
The response accurately explains how to improve the patient’s drug therapy plan.
The response may include an accurate explanation to support the recommended improvements.
21 (21%) – 23 (23%)
The response inaccurately or vaguely explains how to improve the patient’s drug therapy plan.
The response may include an inaccurate, vague, or misaligned explanation to support the recommended improvements.
0 (0%) – 20 (20%)
The response inaccurately and vaguely explains how to improve the patient’s drug therapy plan, or is missing.
The response may include an inaccurate and vague explanation to support the recommended improvements, 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.
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity.
4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time.
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%–79% of the time.
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
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors
4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1–2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3–4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors
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.
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct APA format with no errors
4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1–2) APA format errors
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3–4) APA format errors
0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors
Total Points: 100
Name: NURS_6521_Week2_Assignment_Rubric
Grading Rubric
| Performance Category | 100% or highest level of performance
100% 16 points |
Very good or high level of performance
88% 14 points |
Acceptable level of performance
81% 13 points |
Inadequate demonstration of expectations
68% 11 points |
Deficient level of performance
56% 9 points
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Failing level
of performance 55% or less 0 points |
| Total Points Possible= 50 | 16 Points | 14 Points | 13 Points | 11 Points | 9 Points | 0 Points |
| Scholarliness
Demonstrates achievement of scholarly inquiry for professional and academic topics. |
Presentation of information was exceptional and included all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information was minimally demonstrated in all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in one of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in two of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in three or more of the following elements
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| 16 Points | 14 Points | 13 Points | 11 Points | 9 Points | 0 Points | |
| Application of Course Knowledge
Demonstrate the ability to analyze and apply principles, knowledge and information learned in the outside readings and relate them to real-life professional situations |
Presentation of information was exceptional and included all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information was minimally demonstrated in the all of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in one of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in two of the following elements:
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Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in three of the following elements
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| 10 Points | 9 Points | 6 Points | 0 Points | |||
| Interactive Dialogue
Initial post should be a minimum of 300 words (references do not count toward word count) The peer and instructor responses must be a minimum of 150 words each (references do not count toward word count) Responses are substantive and relate to the topic. |
Demonstrated all of the following:
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Demonstrated 3 of the following:
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Demonstrated 2 of the following:
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Demonstrated 1 or less of the following:
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| 8 Points | 7 Points | 6 Points | 5 Points | 4 Points | 0 Points | |
| Grammar, Syntax, APA
Points deducted for improper grammar, syntax and APA style of writing. The source of information is the APA Manual 6th Edition Error is defined to be a unique APA error. Same type of error is only counted as one error. |
The following was present:
AND
AND
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The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
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The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
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The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
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The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
AND/OR
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The following was present:
AND/OR
AND/OR
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| 0 Points Deducted | 5 Points Lost | |||||
| Participation
Requirements |
Demonstrated the following:
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Failed to demonstrate the following:
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| 0 Points Lost | 5 Points Lost | |||||
| Due Date Requirements | Demonstrated all of the following:
A minimum of one peer and one instructor responses are to be posted within the course no later than Sunday, 11:59 pm MT. |
Demonstrates one or less of the following.
A minimum of one peer and one instructor responses are to be posted within the course no later than Sunday, 11:59 pm MT. |