To prepare:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

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• Review this week\u2019s media presentation on hypertension and hyperlipidemia, as well as Chapters 19 and 20 of the Arcangelo and Peterson text.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
• Select one of the three case studies, as well as one the following factors: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior factors.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
• Reflect on how the factor you selected might influence the patient\u2019s pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
• Consider how changes in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes might impact the patient\u2019s recommended drug therapy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
• Think about how you might improve the patient\u2019s 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  With these thoughts in mind:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

  By Day 3<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

  Post<\/span><\/b> an explanation of how the factor you selected might influence the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes in the patient from the case study you selected. Then, describe how changes in the processes might impact the patient\u2019s recommended drug therapy. Finally, explain how you might improve the patient\u2019s drug therapy plan.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

  By Day 6<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

  Read<\/span><\/b> a selection of your colleagues\u2019 responses and <\/span>respond <\/span><\/b>to <\/span>at least two<\/span><\/b> of your colleagues on <\/span>two different days<\/span><\/b> who selected a different case study than you did, in one or more of the following ways:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • Provide alternative recommendations for drug treatments.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Note:<\/span><\/b> For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues\u2019 postings. Begin by clicking on the \u201cPost to Discussion Question\u201d link and then select \u201cCreate Thread\u201d to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on <\/span>Submit!<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Submission and Grading Information<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Grading Criteria\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    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. Consider hypertension. An estimated 68 million people in the United States have this disorder (CDC, 2012). However, about 30 percent of these patients are not treated at all, and of those who are treated, less than 50 percent have properly controlled blood pressure levels (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2009). In clinical settings, patients often present with symptoms of hypertension and other 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    This week you examine the impact of changes in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes on patient drug therapy for cardiovascular disorders. You also explore ways to improve drug therapy plans for these disorders.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Learning Objectives<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

    By the end of this week, students will:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    • Evaluate the influence of patient factors on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics processes<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Analyze the impact of changes in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes on patient drug therapy<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Evaluate drug therapy plans for cardiovascular disorders<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Understand and apply key terms, concepts, and principles related to prescribing drugs to treat cardiovascular disorders<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Photo Credit: GIPhotoStock\/Cultura\/Getty Images<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n