NURS 6630 Case Study An African American Child Suffering From Depression

NURS 6630 Case Study An African American Child Suffering From Depression

Sample Answer for NURS 6630 Case Study An African American Child Suffering From Depression Included After Question

When pediatric patients present with mood disorders, the process of assessing, diagnosing, and treating them can be quite complex. Children not only present with different signs and symptoms than adult patients with the same disorders, they also metabolize medications much differently. Yet, there may be times when the same psychopharmacologic treatments may be used in both pediatric and adult cases with major depressive disorders. As a result, psychiatric nurse practitioners must exercise caution when prescribing psychotropic medications to these patients. For this Assignment, as you examine the patient case study in this week’s Learning Resources, consider how you might assess and treat pediatric patients presenting with mood disorders. 

To prepare for this Assignment: 

  • 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 pediatric patients requiring antidepressant therapy. 

The Assignment: 5 pages 

Examine Case Study: An African American Child Suffering From Depression. You will be asked to make three decisions concerning the medication to prescribe to this patient. Be sure to consider factors that might impact the patient’s pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes. 

At each decision point, you should evaluate all options before selecting your decision and moving throughout the exercise. Before you make your decision, make sure that you have researched each option and that you evaluate the decision that you will select. Be sure to research each option using the primary literature. 

Introduction to the case (1 page) 

  • Briefly explain and summarize the case for this Assignment. Be sure to include the specific patient factors that may impact your decision making when prescribing medication for this patient. 

Decision #1 (1 page) 

  • Which decision did you select? 
  • Why did you select this decision? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature. 
  • Why did you not select the other two options provided in the exercise? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature. 
  • What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources (including the primary literature). 
  • Explain how ethical considerations may impact your treatment plan and communication with patients. Be specific and provide examples. 

Decision #2 (1 page) 

  • Why did you select this decision? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature. 
  • Why did you not select the other two options provided in the exercise? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature. 
  • What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources (including the primary literature). 
  • Explain how ethical considerations may impact your treatment plan and communication with patients. Be specific and provide examples. 

Decision #3 (1 page) 

  • Why did you select this decision? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature. 
  • Why did you not select the other two options provided in the exercise? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature. 
  • What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources (including the primary literature). 
  • Explain how ethical considerations may impact your treatment plan and communication with patients. Be specific and provide examples. 

Conclusion (1 page) 

Summarize your recommendations on the treatment options you selected for this patient. Be sure to justify your recommendations and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature. 

Note: Support your rationale with a minimum of five academic resources. While you may use the course text to support your rationale, it will not count toward the resource requirement. You should be utilizing the primary and secondary literature. 

 

Reminder : The College of Nursing requires that all papers submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. The Sample Paper provided at the Walden Writing Center provides 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. 

 

By Day 7 

Submit your Assignment.  

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Grading Criteria 

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 6630 Case Study An African American Child Suffering From Depression

Title: NURS 6630 Case Study An African American Child Suffering From Depression

Pediatric Depression Therapy

Depression among children and adolescents is a developing concern in public healthcare systems. Depression has a long-lasting psychological influence on the patient as a result of its early beginning. The consequences have a detrimental effect on the child’s development in terms of social interactions, emotional development, cognitive development, and academic accomplishment (Ghandour et al., 2019). Additionally, this has a negative influence on the child’s everyday functioning, communication, and in rare cases, the child develops suicidal ideas. Depression symptoms and diagnosis in such patients are extremely hard, since they frequently overlap with changes that occur during the child’s developmental phases. However, significant milestones in the development of the diagnosis process for this group of individuals have occurred. It focuses on screening questions that are critical in the evaluation process. This method employs an interviewing technique that has aided the PMHNP in obtaining more accurate and reliable diagnoses of depression in children and adolescents. Particularly for youngsters, the interview questions are handled by the child’s caretakers, parents, or instructors (Ghandour et al., 2019).

It is critical for the PMHNP to receive an accurate diagnosis in order to design a treatment protocol and appropriate medications for the patient. Correct diagnosis also enables the PMHNP to determine the extent of the depression’s influence and to counsel parents and caregivers on health promotion strategies. Additionally, the nurse must prescribe medications based on their efficacy, indications and contraindications, as well as the interactions between the numerous pharmaceutical regimens employed. The PMHNP will monitor the patient’s development and, if necessary, will prescribe a number of medications in conjunction with behavioral psychotherapy. The purpose of this study is to examine the case of an 8-year-old African-American kid who suffers from severe depression, the course of treatment, and the outcome evaluation. When prescribing the optimum course of medication for a patient, factors such as the patient’s age and degree of depression must be addressed.

Why Select Zoloft 25mg Oral Daily Dose?

Results from studies reveal that Zoloft is an effective SSRI. The drug is also referred to as sertraline and is classified as an anti-depressant that works on the principle of inhibition of the selective uptake of serotonin. The diagnosis of the patient shows the patient has a score of 30 based on the Children’s Depression Rating Scale (Dwyer & Bloch, 2019). Therefore, the patient has intense depression that requires medication treatment option using an effective SSRI like Zoloft. It is the prescribed medication for most of the depressive disorders.  The 25mg daily dosage is the appropriate and recommended oral dose for children. Zoloft has proved to be effective in treatment of children with OCD for ages between six and seventeen years (Garland et al., 2016). NURS 6630 Case Study An African American Child Suffering From Depression

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Why other two options were not selected?

NURS 6630 Case Study An African American Child Suffering From Depression
NURS 6630 Case Study An African American Child Suffering From Depression

Paxil 10mg was not considered for this case in point because the patient has a young age of the patient and also the drug is known to have several side effects critical among them being the fact that it increases the patients feeling towards committing suicide (Paroxetine: MedlinePlus Drug Information, n.d.). Wellbutrin could not be considered because it can only be used if the first option of SSRI such as Zoloft fails to reduce the depressive symptoms in the patient. Therefore, this makes Zoloft as the best option for the treatment of the patient.

What is the expected outcome on making this decision?

25mg of Zoloft is aimed at reducing the patient’s depressive condition, improving the patient’s feelings for self and social interactions (Neavin, Joyce, & Swintak, 2018). The drug is also expected to improve the patient’s concentration within a period of two weeks. The patient’s appetite is expected to improve by the end of the third week and also reduced irritation Additionally, the patient will have improved the relationship with the classmates and the withdrawal symptoms will have subsided significantly at the end of the fourth week. NURS 6630 Case Study An African American Child Suffering From Depression

Expected Vs. Actual Results

After a period of four weeks the patient returned to the health facility for follow up. The patient still had symptoms of depression. This was contrary from the expected outcome because the SSRIs have a slow action mechanism associated with late improvement of the depression symptoms.

Decision Point 2

Double up the dosage to 50mg daily

Why take this decision?

It is recommended to double up the dosage if the patient does not show any improvement within a period of four weeks (Garland et al., 2016). The use of Prozac 10mg daily dosage is not the appropriate decision at the moment because it is only recommended if there is no improvement of the patient’s condition after six weeks (Neavin et al., 2018).

Why other two options were not selected?

It is recommended that if the first dosage of Zoloft is not effective, the dosage should be doubled or change the type of anti-depressant used. However, it is strongly recommended to use the same type of drug especially if the reason for the initial dose not being effective is not known. The increased dosage is likely to mount greater stimulation for release of serotonin. Therefore, this makes the dosage of 50mg of Zoloft the best option at the moment.

What is the expected outcome on making this decision?

By doubling up the dosage I hope to improve the patient’s feelings on depression by half and make him feel better emotionally and improve his social interactions.

Expected Vs. Actual Results

On the second visit to the health facility, after period of four weeks, the patient’s state had improved by 20%.  This was just as the expectation for the patient’s situation to improve by 20% The patient demonstrated tolerance to the drug which was not much expected. However, the general outcome on the patient’s situation was just as it was expected to be. This can also be attributed to the fact that Zoloft is associated with late improvement in depression patients.

Decision Point 3

Change to a different SSRI

Why take this decision?

At the end of the eight weeks still the result from use of Zoloft are not satisfactory. It has only improved the patient’s symptoms by 20%. Studies on use of anti-depressants to alleviate depression recommends the change of drug to realize improvement especially if the patient’s condition does not improve significantly if the dosage of the initial drug was doubled. Alternatively, the PMHN can also recommend combination of the first and second medication. For this case in point, given that Zoloft has not shown much impact it is advisable to switch to another anti-depressant.

Why the other options were not selected?

The option of maintaining the same dosage cannot be taken because the patient has not shown any significant improvement. Additionally, increasing the dosage is not recommended because it has already been done at decision two and the results we not substantial. Therefore, this makes the decision of changing the drug the best option available.

What is the expected outcome on making this decision?

The option of changing the drug is consistent with the standard course of action when using anti-depressant medication. The fact that the patient had been given the maximum dosage of Zoloft but no substantial improvement, it is prudent enough to change the anti-depressant. Various studies reveal different individual react to the anti-depressant used in different ways (Cuijpers et al., 2019). One antidepressant could prove to be more effective than the other one on an individual and vice versa. Therefore, it is imperative for the PMHN to change the drug if the one in use currently does not yield significant result. This is expected to yield better results for the patient.

How Ethical Considerations Might Impact Your Treatment Plan Communication with the patient

The use of anti-depressants has been challenging because of the complications attached to it. The Federal Drug Agency (FDA) has done several studies on the use of anti-depressants and it has revealed that they are significant side effects of suicidal tendencies especially among the youth It is important to explain to the patient or the care giver the treatment plans available, their cost and the expected side effects (Katz et al., 2016). This will empower the client with knowledge and ensure that the client makes informed decisions. The case in point involves a child therefore the consent should be obtained from the mother who is the immediate care giver to the child. Therefore, the mother’s decision will have an impact on the patient’s treatment plan. Another ethical issue to consider is beneficence. This will call upon the health practitioner to offer a treatment plan that is best suited to the patient and will deliver the best desired outcomes. I also allow the health practitioner to modify and improve the treatment plan if the existing one does not produce the desired outcomes. (Katz et al., 2016). Additionally, non-maleficence is another ethical issue that is likely to impact on the treatment plan, this allows the medical practitioner to modify the treatment plan in case the existing one has adverse effects to the patient. It is imperative for the healthcare practitioner to consider all the ethical issues before coming up with the treatment plan and modify it along the way with key emphasis being to ensure that the patient’s outcome is improved.

NURS 6630 Case Study An African American Child Suffering From Depression Conclusion

The cases of depression in children and adolescents calls for well thought and planned psychopharmacological intervention. The condition has greater effects on the development of the children. It negatively impacts the social interactions, emotional and academic progress of the child. The impact further impacts on the communication skills of the patient and could affect the child’s ability to develop long lasting relationship. The child’s interactions with community and family is also greatly hindered by the depression disorder. The intervention measures taken depend on the extent of the depression of the patient. It is possible to intervene by use of therapies like the cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy and mindfulness cognitive therapy if the patient is experiencing low or mild depression. However, for patients with significant depression, it is recommended to have both the therapies and use of medication treatment. The use of medication therapy employs the mechanism of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Paxil, Wellbutrin and Zoloft. These drugs function differently on various patients. Therefore, if one drug does not have significant impact on the patient it is recommended to change to another anti-depressant. This informs why for the case in point the decision three involved the change of drug to help the patient recover from depression.

NURS 6630 Case Study An African American Child Suffering From Depression References

Cuijpers, P., Quero, S., Dowrick, C., & Arroll, B. (2019). Psychological Treatment of Depression in Primary Care: Recent Developments. Current Psychiatry Reports, 21(12). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1117-x

Dwyer, J. B., & Bloch, M. H. (2019). Antidepressants for Pediatric Patients. Current Psychiatry, 18(9), 26–42F. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6738970/

Ehmke, R. (2018, August 16). Treatment for Depression. Child Mind Institute; Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/treatment-for-depression/

Ghandour, R. M., Sherman, L. J., Vladutiu, C. J., Ali, M. M., Lynch, S. E., Bitsko, R. H., & Blumberg, S. J. (2019). Prevalence and Treatment of Depression, Anxiety, and Conduct Problems in US Children. The Journal of Pediatrics, 206, 256-267.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.09.021

Jane Garland, E., Kutcher, S., Virani, A., & Elbe, D. (2016). Update on the Use of SSRIs and SNRIs with Children and Adolescents in Clinical Practice. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry = Journal de l’Academie Canadienne de Psychiatrie de l’enfant et de l’adolescent, 25(1), 4–10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4791100/

Katz, A. L., & Webb, S. A. (2016). Informed Consent in Decision-Making in Pediatric Practice. Pediatrics, 138(2), e20161485. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-1485

Neavin, D., Joyce, J., & Swintak, C. (2018). Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in Pediatric Populations. Diseases, 6(2), 48. https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases6020048

Paroxetine: MedlinePlus Drug Information. (n.d.). Medlineplus.Gov. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698032.html

 

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 6630 Case Study An African American Child Suffering From Depression

Title: NURS 6630 Case Study An African American Child Suffering From Depression

NURS 6630 Case Study An African American Child Suffering From Depression Essay 

 

Therapy for Pediatric Clients with Mood Disorders
An African American Child Suffering From Depression 

 

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION 

The client is an 8-year-old African American male who arrives at the ER with his mother. He is exhibiting signs of depression.  

  • Client complained of feeling “sad” 
  • Mother reports that teacher said child is withdrawn from peers in class 
  • Mother notes decreased appetite and occasional periods of irritation 
  • Client reached all developmental landmarks at appropriate ages  
  • Physical exam unremarkable 
  • Laboratory studies WNL 
  • Child referred to psychiatry for evaluation 

 

MENTAL STATUS EXAM 

Alert & oriented X 3, speech clear, coherent, goal directed, spontaneous. Self-reported mood is “sad”. Affect somewhat blunted, but child smiled appropriately at various points throughout the clinical interview. He denies visual or auditory hallucinations. No delusional or paranoid thought processes noted. Judgment and insight appear to be age-appropriate. He is not endorsing active suicidal ideation, but does admit that he often thinks about himself being dead and what it would be like to be dead.  

You administer the Children’s Depression Rating Scale, obtaining a score of 30 (indicating significant depression)  

 

RESOURCES 

  • Poznanski, E., & Mokros, H. (1996). Child Depression Rating Scale–Revised. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.

 

Decision Point One 

Select what you should do: 

 

Begin Zoloft 25 mg orally daily  

 

Begin Paxil 10 mg orally daily  

 

Begin Wellbutrin 75 mg orally BID  

 

Decision Point One 

 

Begin Zoloft 25 mg orally daily  

RESULTS OF DECISION POINT ONE 

  • Client returns to clinic in four weeks 
  • No change in depressive symptoms at all 

Decision Point Two 

Select what you should do next: 

 

Increase dose to 37.5 mg orally daily  

 

Increase dose to 50 mg orally daily  

 

Change to Prozac 10 mg orally daily  

 

Decision Point One 

 

Begin Paxil 10 mg orally daily  

RESULTS OF DECISION POINT ONE 

  • Client returns to clinic in four weeks 
  • Reduction in The Children’s Depression Rating Scale by 5 points overall, but with complaints of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea  

Decision Point Two 

Select what you should do next: 

 

Decrease dose for 7 days then return to previous 10 mg day dose  

 

Increase dose to 20 mg orally daily  

 

Change to Prozac 10 mg orally daily  

 

ecision Point One 

 

Begin Wellbutrin 75 mg orally BID  

RESULTS OF DECISION POINT ONE 

  • Client returns to clinic in four weeks 
  • Child is unable to fall asleep at night 

Decision Point Two 

Select what you should do next: 

 

Change from immediate release to extended release 150 mg orally daily in the morning  

 

Give second dose of the day at 1:00 pm in the afternoon  

 

Change to Lexapro 10 mg orally daily  

 

 

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What’s Coming Up in Week 5? 

 

Photo Credit: [BrianAJackson]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images 

Next week, you will build on your assessment and treatment skills as you examine patients presenting with bipolar disorders. 

Next Week 

 

To go to the next week: 

Week 5 

 

Rubric Detail  

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Content 

Name: NURS_6630_Week4_Assignment_Rubric 

  Excellent

Point range: 90–100  

Good

Point range: 80–89  

Fair

Point range: 70–79  

Poor

Point range: 0–69  

Introduction to the case (1 page)

Briefly explain and summarize the case for this Assignment. Be sure to include the specific patient factors that may impact your decision making when prescribing medication for this patient.  

Points Range: 9 (9%) – 10 (10%)  

The response accurately, clearly, and fully summarizes in detail the case for the Assignment.

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail the specific patient factors that impact decision making when prescribing medication for this patient. 

Points Range: 8 (8%) – 8 (8%)  

The response accurately summarizes the case for the Assignment.

The response accurately explains the specific patient factors that impact decision making with prescribing medication for this patient. 

Points Range: 7 (7%) – 7 (7%)  

The response inaccurately or vaguely summarizes the case for the Assignment.

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains the specific patient factors that impact decision making with prescribing medication for this patient. 

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 6 (6%)  

The response inaccurately and vaguely summarizes the case for the Assignment, or is missing.

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains the specific patient factors that impact decision making with prescribing medication for this patient. 

Decision #1 (1–2 pages)

• Which decision did you select?
• Why did you select this decision? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.
• Why did you not select the other two options provided in the exercise? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.
• What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources (including the primary literature).
• Explain how ethical considerations may impact your treatment plan and communication with patients. Be specific and provide examples.  

Points Range: 18 (18%) – 20 (20%)  

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail the decision selected.

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail why the decision was selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that fully support the decision selected.

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail why the other two responses were not selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that fully support the response.

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail the outcome the student was hoping to achieve with the selected decision, with specific clinically relevant resources that fully support the response.

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail how ethical considerations impact the treatment plan and communication with patients.

Examples provided fully support the decisions and responses provided. 

Points Range: 16 (16%) – 17 (17%)  

The response accurately explains the decision selected.

The response explains why the decision was selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that support the decision selected.

The response accurately explains why the other two responses were not selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that support the response.

The response accurately explains the outcome the student was hoping to achieve with the selected decision, with specific clinically relevant resources that support the response.

The response accurately explains how ethical considerations impact the treatment plan and communication with patients.

Examples provided support the decisions and responses provided. 

Points Range: 14 (14%) – 15 (15%)  

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains the decision selected.

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains why the decision was selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that inaccurately or vaguely support the decision selected.

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains why the other two responses were not selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that inaccurately or vaguely support the response.

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains the outcome the student was hoping to achieve with the selected decision, with specific clinically relevant resources that inaccurately or vaguely support the response.

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains how ethical considerations impact the treatment plan and communication with patients.

Examples provided may support the decisions and responses provided. 

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 13 (13%)  

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains the decision selected.

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains why the decision was selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that do not support the decision selected, or is missing.

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains why the other two responses were not selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that do not support the decision selected, or is missing.

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains the outcome the student was hoping to achieve with the selected decision, with specific clinically relevant resources that do not support the response, or is missing.

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains how ethical considerations impact the treatment plan and communication with patients, or is missing.

Examples provided do not support the decisions and responses provided, or is missing. 

Decision #2 (1–2 pages)

• Which decision did you select?
• Why did you select this decision? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.
• Why did you not select the other two options provided in the exercise? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.
• What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources (including the primary literature).
• Explain how ethical considerations may impact your treatment plan and communication with patients. Be specific and provide examples.  

Points Range: 18 (18%) – 20 (20%)  

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail the decision selected.

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail why the decision was selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that fully support the decision selected.

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail why the other two responses were not selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that fully support the response.

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail the outcome the student was hoping to achieve with the selected decision, with specific clinically relevant resources that fully support the response.

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail how ethical considerations impact the treatment plan and communication with patients.

Examples provided fully support the decisions and responses provided. 

Points Range: 16 (16%) – 17 (17%)  

The response accurately explains the decision selected.

The response explains why the decision was selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that support the decision selected.

The response accurately explains why the other two responses were not selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that support the response.

The response accurately explains the outcome the student was hoping to achieve with the selected decision, with specific clinically relevant resources that support the response.

The response accurately explains how ethical considerations impact the treatment plan and communication with patients.

Examples provided support the decisions and responses provided. 

Points Range: 14 (14%) – 15 (15%)  

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains the decision selected.

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains why the decision was selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that inaccurately or vaguely support the decision selected.

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains why the other two responses were not selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that inaccurately or vaguely support the response.

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains the outcome the student was hoping to achieve with the selected decision, with specific clinically relevant resources that inaccurately or vaguely support the response.

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains how ethical considerations impact the treatment plan and communication with patients.

Examples provided may support the decisions and responses provided. 

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 13 (13%)  

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains in detail the decision selected.

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains why the decision was selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that do not support the decision selected, or is missing.

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains why the other two responses were not selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that do not support the decision selected, or is missing.

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains the outcome the student was hoping to achieve with the selected decision, with specific clinically relevant resources that do not support the response, or is missing.

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains how ethical considerations impact the treatment plan and communication with patients, or is missing.

Examples provided do not support the decisions and responses provided, or is missing. 

Decision #3 (1–2 pages)

• Which decision did you select?
• Why did you select this decision? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.
• Why did you not select the other two options provided in the exercise? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.
• What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources (including the primary literature).
• Explain how ethical considerations may impact your treatment plan and communication with patients. Be specific and provide examples.  

Points Range: 18 (18%) – 20 (20%)  

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail the decision selected.

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail why the decision was selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that fully support the decision selected.

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail why the other two responses were not selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that fully support the response.

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail the outcome the student was hoping to achieve with the selected decision, with specific clinically relevant resources that fully support the response.

The response accurately and clearly explains in detail how ethical considerations impact the treatment plan and communication with patients.

Examples provided fully support the decisions and responses provided. 

Points Range: 16 (16%) – 17 (17%)  

The response accurately explains the decision selected.

The response explains why the decision was selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that support the decision selected.

The response accurately explains why the other two responses were not selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that support the response.

The response accurately explains the outcome the student was hoping to achieve with the selected decision, with specific clinically relevant resources that support the response.

The response accurately explains how ethical considerations impact the treatment plan and communication with patients.

Examples provided support the decisions and responses provided. 

Points Range: 14 (14%) – 15 (15%)  

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains the decision selected.

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains why the decision was selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that inaccurately or vaguely support the decision selected.

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains why the other two responses were not selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that inaccurately or vaguely support the response.

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains the outcome the student was hoping to achieve with the selected decision, with specific clinically relevant resources that inaccurately or vaguely support the response.

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains how ethical considerations impact the treatment plan and communication with patients.

Examples provided may support the decisions and responses provided. 

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 13 (13%)  

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains in detail the decision selected.

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains why the decision was selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that do not support the decision selected, or is missing.

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains why the other two responses were not selected, with specific clinically relevant resources that do not support the decision selected, or is missing.

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains the outcome the student was hoping to achieve with the selected decision, with specific clinically relevant resources that do not support the response, or is missing.

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains how ethical considerations impact the treatment plan and communication with patients, or is missing.

Examples provided do not support the decisions and responses provided, or is missing. 

Conclusion (1 page)

• Summarize your recommendations on the treatment options you selected for this patient. Be sure to justify your recommendations and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.  

Points Range: 14 (14%) – 15 (15%)  

The response accurately and clearly summarizes in detail the recommendations on the treatment options selected for this patient.

The response accurately and clearly explains a justification for the recommendations provided, including clinically relevant resources that fully support the recommendations provided. 

Points Range: 12 (12%) – 13 (13%)  

The response accurately summarizes the recommendations on the treatment options selected for this patient.

The response accurately explains a justification for the recommendation provided, including clinically relevant resources that support the recommendations provided. 

Points Range: 11 (11%) – 11 (11%)  

The response inaccurately or vaguely summarizes the recommendations on the treatment options selected for this patient.

The response inaccurately or vaguely explains a justification for the recommendations provided, including clinically relevant resources that inaccurately or vaguely support the recommendations provided. 

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 10 (10%)  

The response inaccurately and vaguely summarizes the recommendations on the treatment options selected for this patient, or is missing.

The response inaccurately and vaguely explains a justification for the recommendations provided, including clinically relevant resources that do not support the recommendations provided, 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. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction are provided that delineate all required criteria.  
Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)  

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

A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion are provided that delineate all required criteria. 

Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)  

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

Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment are stated, yet they are brief and not descriptive. 

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.

Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic. 

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)  

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

No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion were provided. 

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 or 2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. 

Points Range: 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)  

Contains several (3 or 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, 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 or 2) APA format errors. 

Points Range: 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)  

Contains several (3 or 4) APA format errors. 

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)  

Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors. 

Total Points: 100  

Name: NURS_6630_Week4_Assignment_Rubric