Week 6: Antipsychotic Therapy According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 100,000 people experience psychosis in the United States each year (NAMI, 2016). In practice, clients may present with delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, disorganized or abnormal motor behavior, as well as other negative symptoms that can be disabling for these individuals. Not only […]

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics As an advanced practice nurse assisting physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders, it is important to not only understand the impact of disorders on the body, but also the impact of drug treatments on the body. The relationships between drugs and the body can be described by pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. […]

This week we will reflect on pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic principles we discussed in week one, allowing us to see how patient-specific variances can impact the treatment we choose and how efficacious it will be for the patient. We will read about hypertension, hyperlipidemia, chronic stable angina, heart failure, and anticoagulation disturbances. There is a lot […]

Assignment 2: Assessing and Treating Patients With Sleep/Wake Disorders Sleep disorders are conditions that result in changes in an individual’s pattern of sleep (Mayo Clinic, 2020). Not surprisingly, a sleep disorder can affect an individual’s overall health, safety, and quality of life. Psychiatric nurse practitioners can treat sleep disorders with psychopharmacologic treatments, however, many of […]

Week 4: Bipolar Therapy Jay, an 18-year-old high school senior, presents with symptoms of difficulty sleeping and feeling sad, which results in an initial diagnosis of depression. His mother later reports, however, that Jay exhibits symptoms of irritability and risk-taking behaviors. (His little brother reported to his mother that they were driving over 90 miles […]

Assignment: Assessing and Treating Clients With ADHD Not only do children and adults have different presentations for ADHD, but males and females may also have vastly different clinical presentations. They may also respond to medication therapies differently. For example, some ADHD medications may cause children to experience stomach pain, while others can be highly addictive […]

Week 5: Anxiolytic Therapy & PTSD Treatment “I’m no longer at the mercy of my PTSD, and I would not be here today had I not had the proper diagnosis and treatment. It’s never too late to seek help.” —P.K. Philips, PTSD patient For individuals suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety disorders, […]

Discussion: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics As an advanced practice nurse assisting physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders, it is important to not only understand the impact of disorders on the body, but also the impact of drug treatments on the body. The relationships between drugs and the body can be described by pharmacokinetics and […]

Week 2: Basic Pharmacotherapeutic Concepts In 2011, more than 3.7 billion drug prescriptions were filled at pharmacies in the United States (The Kaiser Family Foundation, 2011). With billions of drugs prescribed each year for the treatment and management of various disorders, it is essential for advanced practice nurses to familiarize themselves with common drug treatments […]

Asthma Pathophysiology Complications from severe asthma can lead to the sudden and preventable death of seemingly healthy individuals. It is crucial for nurses and patients to understand the triggers that initiate pathophysiological mechanisms and manage these changes effectively (Fuseini & Newcomb, 2017). Adhering to treatment and avoiding triggers are important ways to mitigate severe complications. […]