Use the Agenda Comparison Grid Template found in the Learning Resources and complete the Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid based on the current/sitting U.S. president and the two previous
Use the Agenda Comparison Grid Template found in the Learning Resources and complete the Part 1: It may seem to you that healthcare has been a national topic of debate among political leaders for as long as you can remember. Healthcare has been a policy item and a topic of debate not only in recent times but as far back as the administration of the second U.S. president, John Adams. In 1798, Adams signed legislation requiring that 20 cents per month of a sailor’s paycheck be set aside for covering their medical bills. This represented the first major piece of U.S. healthcare legislation, and the topic of healthcare has been woven into presidential agendas and political debate ever since. As a healthcare professional, you may be called upon to provide expertise, guidance and/or opinions on healthcare matters as they are debated for inclusion into new policy. You may also be involved in planning new organizational policy and responses to changes in legislation. For all of these reasons you should be prepared to speak to national healthcare issues making the news. In this Assignment you will analyze recent presidential healthcare agendas. You also will prepare a fact sheet to communicate the importance of a healthcare issue and the impact on this issue of recent or proposed policy. To Prepare: Review the agenda priorities of the current/sitting U.S. president and the two previous presidential administrations. Select an issue related to healthcare that was addressed by each of the last three U.S. presidential administrations. Reflect on the focus of their respective agendas, including the allocation of financial resources for addressing the healthcare issue you selected. Consider how you would communicate the importance of a healthcare issue to a legislator/policymaker or a member of their staff for inclusion on an agenda. The Assignment: (1- to 2-page Comparison Grid, 1-Page Analysis, and 1-page Fact Sheet) Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid Use the Agenda Comparison Grid Template found in the Learning Resources and complete the Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid based on the current/sitting U.S. president and the two previous presidential administrations and their agendas related to the public health concern you selected. Be sure to address the following: Identify and provide a brief description of the population health concern you selected and the factors that contribute to it. Describe the administrative agenda focus related to the issue you selected. Identify the allocations of financial and other resources that the current and two previous presidents dedicated to this issue. Explain how each of the presidential administrations approached the issue. Part 2: Agenda Comparison Grid Analysis Using the information you recorded in Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid on the template, complete the Part 2: Agenda Comparison Grid Analysis portion of the template, by addressing the following: Which administrative agency would most likely be responsible for helping you address the healthcare issue you selected? How do you think your selected healthcare issue might get on the agenda for the current and two previous presidents? How does it stay there? Who would you choose to be the entrepreneur/ champion/sponsor of the healthcare issue you selected for the current and two previous presidents? Part 3: Fact Sheet or Talking Points Brief Using the information recorded on the template in Parts 1 and 2, develop a 1-page narrative that you could use to communicate with a policymaker/legislator or a member of their staff for this healthcare issue. Be sure to address the following: Summarize why this healthcare issue is important and should be included in the agenda for legislation. Justify the role of the nurse in agenda setting for healthcare issues. Expert Answer and Explanation Agenda Comparison Grid Assignment Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid Identify the Population Health concern you selected. Opioid Crisis The Population Health concern. According to statistics by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, over 50,000 people died from opioid overdose in 2019. Similarly, the same statistics indicate that close to $80 billion is spent on dealing with issues associated with opioid addiction including, loss of productivity, rehabilitation, involvement with the criminal activities to list a few. Over the years, different presidents established different approaches to tackle opioid issue, with each approach eliciting different reactions. This paper will compare former President Obama and President Trump’s policy stand on the opioid crisis. Administration (President Name) President Barrack Obama President Donald Trump How each of the two presidential administrations approached the issue. During President Obama’s tenure as president, he raised the level of sensitization on how serious the opioid crisis is and the impact on the American community. He made all stakeholders, especially the legislative wing of the government to start recognizing the intensity of the problem. However, it was until the final days of his term that the Congress passed the 21st Century Cures Act, which among other things increased the state funding channeled towards response against the opioid crisis (Barlas, 2017). During President Trump’s tenure, he established opioid crisis as both a security and a health issue. He was quite vocal on recognizing the fact that opioid crisis is a matter of national concern joining gun violence as part of the leading causes death in the US. To help curb the issue, president trump passed into law the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act, also known as the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which among other things helped to increase the federal funding on evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder. President Trump also declared the opioid crisis as a national crisis in 2018, making him the first president to do so (The White House, n.d.). Allocations of resources After the implementation of the 21st Century Cures Act, over one billion dollars was allocated by the federal government towards collaborative efforts with states and other agencies in dealing with the opioid crisis (Office of the Press Secretary, 2016). President Trump’s administration in 2018 through congress, passed a budget of $13 billion to be spread across two financial periods. This allocation
Clearly diagnosis is a critical aspect of healthcare. However, the ultimate purpose of a diagnosis is the development and application of a series of treatments or protocols
Assignment: Workplace Environment Assessment Clearly diagnosis is a critical aspect of healthcare. However, the ultimate purpose of a diagnosis is the development and application of a series of treatments or protocols. Isolated recognition of a health issue does little to resolve it. In this modules Discussion you applied the Clark Healthy Workplace Inventory to diagnose potential problems with the civility of your organization. In this Portfolio Assignment, you will continue to analyze the results and apply published research to the development of a proposed treatment for any issues uncovered by the assessment. To Prepare: Review the Resources and examine the Clark Healthy Workplace Inventory, found on page 20 of Clark (2015). Review the Work Environment Assessment Template. Reflect on the output of your Discussion post regarding your evaluation of workplace civility and the feedback received from colleagues. Select and review one or more of the following articles found in the Resources: Clark, Olender, Cardoni, and Kenski (2011) Clark (2018) Clark (2015) Griffin and Clark (2014) The Assignment (3-6 pages total): Part 1: Work Environment Assessment (1-2 pages) Review the Work Environment Assessment Template you completed for this Module’s Discussion. Describe the results of the Work Environment Assessment you completed on your workplace. Identify two things that surprised you about the results and one idea you believed prior to conducting the Assessment that was confirmed. Explain what the results of the Assessment suggest about the health and civility of your workplace. Part 2: Reviewing the Literature (1-2 pages) Briefly describe the theory or concept presented in the article(s) you selected. Explain how the theory or concept presented in the article(s) relates to the results of your Work Environment Assessment. Explain how your organization could apply the theory highlighted in your selected article(s) to improve organizational health and/or create stronger work teams. Be specific and provide examples. Part 3: Evidence-Based Strategies to Create High-Performance Interprofessional Teams (1–2 pages) Recommend at least two strategies, supported in the literature, that can be implemented to address any shortcomings revealed in your Work Environment Assessment. Recommend at least two strategies that can be implemented to bolster successful practices revealed in your Work Environment Assessment. Expert Answer and Explanation Work Environment Assessment Summary of Results – Clark Healthy Workplace Inventory From the Clarks healthy workplace inventory, the results indicated that my workplace is very healthy with a score of 81 according to the inventory ratings (Clark, 2015). Some of the key features that ranked highly included appreciation of collective achievement, teamwork and collaboration, fair and respectful treatment of employees to list a few. The attributes that seemed lacking according to the inventory were improvement of organization culture, a comprehensive mentoring program for all employees, and allocation of adequate resources for professional growth and development. The results from the inventory had most of the items reviewed in the 4 scores (somewhat true). Identify two things that surprised you about the results. Also, identify one idea that you believed prior to conducting the Assessment that was confirmed. Before taking the inventory, I was quite sure that my workplace environment was quite healthy but on carrying out the inventory, I found it surprising that some key areas were seemingly lacking which I never considered in my earlier assumption. I also found it surprising that. I was also surprised to find several key areas that could be improved from an organizational standpoint that I would have otherwise overlooked, which are essential in the development of a healthy work environment. what might seemingly seem as a flawless workplace environment may actually have some areas that stain the health of the workplace environment. However, the results confirmed my belief in the health status of my workplace environment which I considered as being favorable. What do the results of the Assessment suggest about the health and civility of your workplace? The results indicate that the environment I work in is quite favorable and civil but with some room for improvement. It also shows that the civility experienced is a result of mutual respect for one another and the organizational policies in place that do not tolerate incivility Briefly describe the theory or concept presented in the article(s) you selected. Explain how the theory or concept presented in the article(s) relates to the results of your Work Environment Assessment. The theory highlighted in an article by Clark (2015) highlights the aspect of encouraging open communication and conversations within the workplace as a way of developing a healthy and civil environment. The article reiterates that many nurses often fail to engage with uncivil colleagues at times when candid conversations are needed. Others often fail to express their concern of incivility especially when expressed by someone with a higher authority, and such cases at times can prove detrimental to patient outcomes. Therefore, the article provides different models that can be used to promote such candid conversations in a civil and respectful manner and one such model is the DESC model. This model focuses on describing the situation, explaining the concerns, stating the available alternative solutions and indicating the consequences. The model facilitates nurse engagement in a professional and civil manner. The theory focuses on the aspect of collaboration and respectful interprofessional engagement. These are some of the features which I considered to be strongly embraced in my workplace. Having a workplace culture that embraces high collaboration between teams requires employees to constantly engage with one another, even amidst their disagreements (Marshall & Broome, 2017). Such a workplace goes in accordance with the article’s view on the importance of healthy and respectful conversations in promoting a civil and safe workplace environment Explain how your organization could apply the theory highlighted in your selected article(s) to improve organizational health and/or create stronger work teams. Be specific and provide examples. The organization can use the DESC model to solve differences in opinions on the best patient interventions that will improve their outcomes or improve the organizational processes. For example, the model can be applied when considering the right therapy
Post an explanation of how competing needs, such as the needs of the workforce, resources, and patients, may impact the development of policy
Organizational Policies and Practices to Support Healthcare Issues Post an explanation of how competing needs, such as the needs of the workforce, resources, and patients, may impact the development of policy. Then, describe any specific competing needs that may impact the national healthcare issue/stressor you selected. What are the impacts, and how might policy address these competing needs? Be specific and provide examples. Sample Expert Answer When developing a policy at any level, it is crucial to understand how the policy may affect other aspects of care delivery. This brings the importance of balancing the different competing needs to ensure that an optimal balance, especially in managing stakeholder interest, is achieved. An example is the need to increase the workforce within the healthcare sector. This may necessitate policymakers to weigh the staffing needs alongside the increased operational costs that come with employing the extra personnel. Nonetheless, the impact on care quality, patient safety, and staff wellbeing may justify the cost (Kirk, 2024). The same goes for policies that focus on resource allocation. For example, while hospitals were demanding increased investment in technology during COVID-19, the government, through its policies, had to ensure that they prioritize the resources based on the need at that time, like investing in safety gear for the frontline personnel. Therefore, competing needs may alter how policies are formulated, with high priority needs, or those that have the highest benefits, or even those that justify a certain political agenda being given higher priority (Evans, 2025). This may alter how policymakers or even nurse advocates or lobbyists approach their stakeholder engagement during the policy-making process. My healthcare stressor was inadequate staffing, an issue that has several competing needs. One of the needs is inadequate resources, which makes it a challenge to provide sustainable solutions that can fully address the stressor. Employing more nurses requires financial resources, which the government only has in finite quantities. This means that the policies made, especially in resource allocation to address the problem, can only be made to a certain extent. Additionally, the need for high-quality patient care significantly impacts nurse staffing in healthcare organizations (Alkhameeas et al., 2024). High nurse-to-patient ratios are needed for quality care, which requires investment in human capital. The impact of nurse shortages is well documented, some of which include high rates of burnout, increased errors, and lower job satisfaction (Getie et al., 2025). Policies may help address these competing needs by necessitating organizations to have a minimum staffing level that matches their patient capacities. An example of such is California’s nurse-to-patient ratio law, which improves care quality while addressing workforce needs. References Alkhameeas, A. A., Madani, Y. A., Aldailej, S. A., Alsada, F. A., Alotaibi, D. M., Albahooth, M. B., & Al Mutairi, H. S. (2024). The impact of nurse staffing on patient outcomes: A comprehensive review. International Journal of Innovative Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 6(231491), 1–15. Evans, A. C. Jr. (2025). How APA is responding to the rapidly changing policy landscape. Monitor on Psychology, 56(4). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2025/06/navigating-changing-policy-landscapeLinks to an external site. Getie, A., Ayenew, T., Amlak, B. T., Gedfew, M., Edmealem, A., & Kebede, W. M. (2025). Global prevalence and contributing factors of nurse burnout: An umbrella review of systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Nursing, 24, Article 596. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03266-8Links to an external site. Kirk, K. (2024). Time for a rebalance: Psychological and emotional well-being in the healthcare workforce as the foundation for patient safety. BMJ Quality & Safety, 33(8), 483–490. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2024-017236Links to an external site. Alternative Sample Answer Impact of Competing Needs on Policy Development Workforce Needs: Nurses’ wellbeing depends on the number of hours they work per shift considering that prolonged work shift hours results to burnout which is associated with undesirable patient care outcomes like the spike in rates of medical errors. A policy that is meant to provide flexible work schedule, while requiring nurses to work for 12 hours can cause emotional and physical exhaustion, increasing the risk of clinical errors and loss of motivation in one’s work (Gu et al., 2023). This may play out in a scenario in which a nurse misses entering crucial information into the EMRs system during the implementation of a policy that requires nurses to work for longer hours. Resource Constraints: Resource-based issues like the lack of adequate funds may complicate balancing between recruiting enough staff and adopting a new healthcare system that enhances the delivery of care. If an organization invests on such a system, it is left with limited financial resources to fund recruitment of the required nurse population. Clinical Intervention Standards: If a policy mandates providers to meet a specific level of quality standard, nurses may struggle meeting these standards especially with high patient volumes. An example is a policy on value-based care that penalizes or rewards providers depending on health outcomes (Teisberg, Wallace, & O’Hara, 2020). The Selected Competing Needs and their Impact on National Healthcare Issue As a stressor, burnout can be affected by the limited availability of the resources. The lack of funds to recruit new nurses coupled with the lack of availability of nursing staff can exacerbate the burnout problem because the existing nursing population is compelled to work for longer hours. This may lead to undesirable events like the increase in rates of readmissions, and higher incidences of medical errors (Dall’Ora et al., 2023). How Policy Addresses the Competing Needs Policy may require that nurses have short-breaks in between shifts as a means of managing work shifts to reduce burnout. The policy may also require increasing funds to help with training and hiring of nurses. Reference Dall’Ora, C., Ejebu, O. Z., Ball, J., & Griffiths, P. (2023). Shift work characteristics and burnout among nurses: cross-sectional survey. Occupational medicine (Oxford, England), 73(4), 199–204. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqad046. Gu, H., Lee, J., Hwang, Y., Kim, J., Lee, S., & Kim, S. J. (2023). Job burnout among workers with different shift regularity: interactive factors between sleep, depression, and work environment. Frontiers in public health, 11, 1131048. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1131048. Teisberg, E., Wallace, S., & O’Hara, S. (2020). Defining and Implementing Value-Based Health Care: A Strategic Framework. Academic
The Quadruple Aim provides broad categories of goals to pursue to maintain and improve healthcare. Within each goal are many issues that
Analysis of a Pertinent Healthcare Issue The Quadruple Aim provides broad categories of goals to pursue to maintain and improve healthcare. Within each goal are many issues that, if addressed successfully, may have a positive impact on outcomes. For example, healthcare leaders are being tasked to shift from an emphasis on disease management often provided in an acute care setting to health promotion and disease prevention delivered in primary care settings. Efforts in this area can have significant positive impacts by reducing the need for primary healthcare and by reducing the stress on the healthcare system. Changes in the industry only serve to stress what has always been true; namely, that the healthcare field has always faced significant challenges, and that goals to improve healthcare will always involve multiple stakeholders. This should not seem surprising given the circumstances. Indeed, when a growing population needs care, there are factors involved such as the demands of providing that care and the rising costs associated with healthcare. Generally, it is not surprising that the field of healthcare is an industry facing multifaceted issues that evolve over time. In this module’s Discussion, you reviewed some healthcare issues/stressors and selected one for further review. For this Assignment, you will consider in more detail the healthcare issue/stressor you selected. You will also review research that addresses the issue/stressor and write a white paper to your organization’s leadership that addresses the issue/stressor you selected. To Prepare: Review the national healthcare issues/stressors presented in the Resources and reflect on the national healthcare issue/stressor you selected for study. Reflect on the feedback you received from your colleagues on your Discussion post for the national healthcare issue/stressor you selected. Identify and review two additional scholarly resources (not included in the Resources for this module) that focus on change strategies implemented by healthcare organizations to address your selected national healthcare issue/stressor. The Assignment (2-3 Pages): Analysis of a Pertinent Healthcare Issue Develop a 2 to 3 page paper, written to your organization’s leadership team, addressing your selected national healthcare issue/stressor and how it is impacting your work setting. Be sure to address the following: Describe the national healthcare issue/stressor you selected and its impact on your organization. Use organizational data to quantify the impact (if necessary, seek assistance from leadership or appropriate stakeholders in your organization). Provide a brief summary of the two articles you reviewed from outside resources on the national healthcare issue/stressor. Explain how the healthcare issue/stressor is being addressed in other organizations. Summarize the strategies used to address the organizational impact of national healthcare issues/stressors presented in the scholarly resources you selected. Explain how they may impact your organization both positively and negatively. Be specific and provide examples. Looking Ahead The paper you develop in Module 1 will be revisited and revised in Module 2. Review the Assignment instructions for Module 2 to prepare for your revised paper. Expert Answer and Explanation Analysis of a Pertinent Healthcare Issue Inadequate nurse staffing has been a persistent challenge in the U.S. healthcare system, frequently highlighted in research and public policy discussions due to its link to burnout, poor patient outcomes, and increased healthcare costs (Gjellebæk et al., 2020). While various initiatives have been implemented, such as safe staffing legislation and recruitment incentives, many efforts remain insufficient or inconsistently applied across institutions. This inconsistency has exacerbated strain in healthcare environments, especially in high-acuity settings. The lack of sustainable, systemic change continues to impact nurse satisfaction and care quality (Carter & Busby, 2023). The purpose of this paper is to describe how inadequate nurse staffing affects healthcare organizations and examine strategies to address this issue. National Healthcare Issue Selected Inadequate nurse staffing remains a significant national healthcare issue that adversely affects patient care and organizational performance. Within our healthcare facility, persistent understaffing has resulted in elevated nurse-to-patient ratios. For example, some medical-surgical units report ratios of one nurse to seven patients during peak hours, which exceeds the American Nurses Association’s recommended standard of one nurse to four patients (Ansah et al., 2021). This imbalance contributes to increased levels of nurse burnout, absenteeism, and a rising turnover rate. In 2023, the registered nurse turnover rate within the organization reached 24 percent. Based on national benchmarks, this corresponds to an estimated financial loss of approximately $4.4 million annually due to recruitment, training, and onboarding costs (Oshodi & Sookhoo, 2023). Moreover, patient satisfaction metrics declined by 12 percent in the most affected units, indicating a direct correlation between staffing deficiencies and diminished quality of care. These outcomes underscore the urgent need for sustainable staffing interventions. Summary of Two Outside Resources The issue of inadequate nurse staffing is explored from two distinct perspectives in recent scholarly literature. Oshodi and Sookhoo (2024) did a systematic review to examine how nursing students see understaffing in clinical settings. Seven studies found that students did not get enough attention when there were too few staff members, their educational results suffered, and patients were at greater risk. Many students said they were often employed as workers instead of staff, which made them tired, reduced their chances to learn, and exposed them to unsafe ways of providing care. The review underlined that changes in staffing and better mentoring are required to help nursing education. A similar study by Ansah Ofei et al. (2021) looked at nurse managers’ staffing methods in hospitals across Ghana. Using this approach, the research found that ineffective staff scheduling is due to quick changes, high staff leaving, and unequal division of work. The problem was made worse by nurses being insufficiently prepared and not getting enough compensation, leading to their discontent and weaker patient care. These studies pointed out that there are major consequences of insufficient staff, such as burnout, less quality care, and education problems. Although Oshodi and Sookhoo urge policymakers to update rules for clinical learning, Ansah Ofei et al. calls for using data-based staffing models, mentorship schemes, and fair salaries. These strategies are part of the organization’s efforts to handle the problems of understaffed
[Solved] Post a description of the national healthcare issue/stressor you selected for analysis, and explain how the healthcare issue/stressor may
Post a description of the national healthcare issue/stressor you selected for analysis, and explain how the healthcare issue/stressor may impact your work setting If you were to ask 10 people what they believe to be the most significant issue facing healthcare today, you might get 10 different answers. Escalating costs? Regulation? Technology disruption? Social Determinant such as environment/community, education, access/quality to healthcare? These and many other topics are worthy of discussion. Not surprisingly, much has been said in the research, within the profession, and in the news about these topics. Whether they are issues of finance, quality, workload, or outcomes, there is no shortage of changes to be addressed. In this Discussion, you examine a national healthcare issue and consider how that issue may impact your work setting. You also analyze how your organization has responded to this issue. To Prepare: Review the Resources and select one current national healthcare issue/stressor to focus on. Reflect on the current national healthcare issue/stressor you selected and think about how this issue/stressor may be addressed in your work setting. By Day 3 of Week 1 Post a description of the national healthcare issue/stressor you selected for analysis, and explain how the healthcare issue/stressor may impact your work setting. Which social determinant(s) most affects this health issue? Then, describe how your health system work setting has responded to the healthcare issue/stressor, including a description of what changes may have been implemented. Be specific and provide examples. Expert Answer and Explanation National Healthcare issue/stressor One of the most critical national stressors that has remained so for some time is the shortage of healthcare providers. The U.S. healthcare system faces a critical shortage of healthcare workers, amidst the ever-growing demand for healthcare services with an increasing aging population (Wilensky, 2022). This demand cuts across most healthcare professions, including nurses, primary care physicians, and mental health professionals. Impact on Work Setting With the persisting shortage, the care provider workload continues to increase, leading to increased burnout, poor patient outcomes, and increased cost of care (Greco et al., 2022). From an organizational perspective, increased workloads could cause low staff satisfaction, increased staff turnover, increased litigation costs resulting from errors in care delivery, and other factors that worsen the situation. Social Determinant The major social determinant affecting this issue include access to education, which can result from various factors, including high tuition costs and disparities in educational opportunities for persons intending to pursue courses in healthcare-related fields, thus affecting the supply of qualified professionals. Another determinant could be the stressful work environments, including high rates of burnout and inadequate support systems, which lead to increased staff turnover rates (Nagle et al., 2024). Poor staffing levels and high patient-to-provider ratios exacerbate burnout, making healthcare, especially nursing, less attractive as a long-term career. Another aspect is geographical aspects, for example, the remoteness of a region, which makes it less attractive for healthcare workers to work there, coupled with fewer professional opportunities, lower salaries, and limited access to professional development. How My Health System Work Setting Has Responded to the Healthcare Issue/stressor In response to the shortage of nurses, my current healthcare facility has tried to implement innovative solutions to attract and retain staff. One of the approaches is to create competitive reimbursement programs that attract nurses to the network, for example, by using sign-on bonuses. Another approach is that they have tried to implement flexible shift options and mental health support programs to deal with burnout and support the mental wellness of the staff working for the network. One of the changes they may have to implement includes investing in assistive technology, other than electronic health records, to improve the efficiency of care delivery and reduce the workload that the staff experience on a day-to-day basis. For example, the use of robotics to facilitate patient mobility or the collection of vital signs, as documented by Mireles et al. (2023). Nonetheless, there is a need to continue engaging in a national dialogue involving all stakeholders on how best to address the persisting shortage of healthcare providers. References Greco, E., Graziano, E. A., Stella, G. P., Mastrodascio, M., & Cedrone, F. (2022). The impact of leadership on perceived work-related stress in healthcare facilities organisations. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 35(4), 734-748. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-07-2021-0201Links to an external site. Mireles, C., Sanchez, M., Cruz-Ortiz, D., Salgado, I., & Chairez, I. (2023). Home-care nursing controlled mobile robot with vital signal monitoring. Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, 61(399–420). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-022-02712-yLinks to an external site. Nagle, E., Griskevica, I., Rajevska, O., Ivanovs, A., Mihailova, S., & Skruzkalne, I. (2024). Factors affecting healthcare workers’ burnout and their conceptual models: A scoping review. BMC Psychology, 12, Article 637. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02130-9Links to an external site. Wilensky, G. R. (2022). The COVID-19 pandemic and the US health care workforce. JAMA Health Forum, 3(1), e220001. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamahealthforum.2022.0001 Alternative Expert Answer Description of the Issue My selected issue of analysis is the nursing shortage which is characterized by the lack of adequate nursing professionals, resulting to the difficulty meeting patients’ demand for nursing care. This issue is tied to various factors including the bulging population of seniors, which drives up demand considering the prevalence of chronic health disorders such as hypertension in this population. The United States’ nursing shortage issue is a concern because of its negative impacts (Costa & Friese, 2022). It particularly increases nurses’ workload, a problem seen in clinical settings understaffed with nurses. With nurses working intensively due to the high workload, they experience burnout, resulting to loss of motivation to work. This in turn causes the surge in cases of medical errors considering that emotional and physical exhaustion that occurs when nurses work for longer hours. Impact of the Issue The access to educational opportunities and the family income status are some of the social determinants of health that influence nursing shortage. The former is seen in underserved communities which have limited educational institutions or facilities that offer nursing training. Conversely, children from households that earn below the minimum wage may struggle with financing their education, resulting to poor educational outcomes for this group (Van Merode,
For this task you will write a paper on an existing organization with which you have had personal experience. The organization can be a business or a nonprofit, and you may represent any level of the organization
For this task you will write a paper on an existing organization with which you have had personal experience DCM2 — DCM2 Task 2: Organization and Leadership Evaluation Competencies 3018.1.1 : Practice of Management The graduate explains the theoretical bases, current knowledge, best practices, and trends related to the practice of management. 3018.1.2 : Theories of Leadership The graduate uses contemporary theories of leadership to develop personal leadership skills based on a personal leadership philosophy. 3018.1.3 : Sustaining Business Performance The graduate applies management and leadership theories for long-term global-business success. 3018.1.4 : Organizational Performance Methods The graduate analyzes appropriate methods to improve organizational performance. Introduction For this task you will write a paper on an existing organization with which you have had personal experience. The organization can be a business or a nonprofit, and you may represent any level of the organization (e.g., team, department, division, whole) in your analysis. You will first describe the chosen organization. Your description of the organization should convey personal experience, rather than information gained from secondhand sources or media coverage. You will then perform a SWOT analysis on that organization. Last, you will analyze that organization’s leadership. Note: Any information that would be considered confidential, proprietary, or personal in nature should not be included in the actual task submission to WGU. Do not include the actual names of people, suppliers, the organization(s), or other identifiable information. Fictional names should be used. Also, organization-specific data, including financial information, should not be included but should be addressed in a general fashion as appropriate. Work performed for clients and employers is their property and should not be used without written permission. Requirements Your submission must represent your original work and understanding of the course material. Most performance assessment submissions are automatically scanned through the WGU similarity checker. Students are strongly encouraged to wait for the similarity report to generate after uploading their work and then review it to ensure Academic Authenticity guidelines are met before submitting the file for evaluation. See Understanding Similarity Reports for more information. Grammarly Note: Professional Communication will be automatically assessed through Grammarly for Education in most performance assessments before a student submits work for evaluation. Students are strongly encouraged to review the Grammarly for Education feedback prior to submitting work for evaluation, as the overall submission will not pass without this aspect passing. See Use Grammarly for Education Effectively for more information. Microsoft Files Note: Write your paper in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) unless another Microsoft product, or pdf, is specified in the task directions. Tasks may not be submitted as cloud links, such as links to Google Docs, Google Slides, OneDrive, etc. All supporting documentation, such as screenshots and proof of experience, should be collected in a pdf file and submitted separately from the main file. For more information, please see Computer System and Technology Requirements. You must use the rubric to direct the creation of your submission because it provides detailed criteria that will be used to evaluate your work. Each requirement below may be evaluated by more than one rubric aspect. The rubric aspect titles may contain hyperlinks to relevant portions of the course. Write a paper (suggested length of 10–16 pages) by doing the following: A. Describe an existing organization with which you have had personal experience and its objective(s). 1. Describe three leadership practices of the current leader, other than yourself, in the existing organization. Note: Leadership practices are routine actions, behaviors, functions, and responsibilities that the current leader performs. 2. Discuss how the current leader has affected organizational culture. Note: You may represent any level of the chosen organization (e.g., team, department, division, whole) and the respective current leader in your description. B. Conduct a SWOT analysis evaluating the chosen organization by doing the following: 1. Evaluate two of the organization’s current strengths. 2. Evaluate two of the organization’s current weaknesses. 3. Evaluate two of the organization’s current unmet opportunities. 4. Evaluate two of the organization’s current unresolved threats. Note: The accepted model for a SWOT analysis defines strengths and weaknesses as internal to the organization, and opportunities and threats as external to the organization. C. Conduct a leadership evaluation of the current leader discussed in part A1, using one of the scholarly leadership theories below that is different from task 1, by doing the following: transformational leadership transactional leadership situational leadership participative leadership servant leadership behavioral leadership trait theory of leadership 1. Evaluate three strengths of the current leader, using the chosen scholarly leadership theory, including how each strength relates to the theory. Support the evaluation of the leader’s strengths with at least one scholarly source. 2. Evaluate three weaknesses of the current leader, using the chosen scholarly leadership theory, including how each weakness relates to the theory. Support the evaluation of the leader’s weaknesses with at least one scholarly source. 3. Recommend three actionable items to improve the effectiveness of the current leader, including how each actionable item relates to the chosen scholarly leadership theory. Support the recommendations of actionable items with at least one scholarly source. Note: The recommendations need to address the current leaders identified leadership weakness. Note: A scholarly source could be a reputable journal, a published book, or any source from a university faculty member or business leader. Scholarly sources also include any article or book in the online WGU library. D. Acknowledge sources, using in-text citations and references, for content that is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized. E. Demonstrate professional communication in the content and presentation of your submission. File Restrictions File name may contain only letters, numbers, spaces, and these symbols: ! – _ . * ‘ ( ) File size limit: 200 MB File types allowed: doc, docx, rtf, xls, xlsx, ppt, pptx, odt, pdf, csv, txt, qt, mov, mpg, avi, mp3, wav, mp4, wma, flv, asf, mpeg, wmv, m4v, svg, tif, tiff, jpeg, jpg, gif, png, zip, rar, tar, 7z Expert Answer and Explanation DCM2: Organization and Leadership Evaluation Through the provision of skilled and compassionate care in the comfort of their own homes, Harmony Home Health & Hospice seeks to restore equilibrium and dignity to the lives of its patients. I have direct knowledge of the company’s service-oriented culture because to my personal interaction with it. Harmony Home Health & Hospice is thoroughly examined in this essay, which starts with an explanation of its goals, values, and organizational structure (Harmony Home Health & Hospice, 2025). After that, it provides a SWOT analysis to determine the opportunities, threats, and internal and external strengths and weaknesses. The study concludes with
For this task you will conduct an evaluation of your personal leadership effectiveness. You will write a paper evaluating your own leadership using a scholarly leadership theory.
DCM2 — DCM2 Task 1: Personal Leadership Evaluation Competencies 3018.1.1 : Practice of Management The graduate explains the theoretical bases, current knowledge, best practices, and trends related to the practice of management. 3018.1.2 : Theories of Leadership The graduate uses contemporary theories of leadership to develop personal leadership skills based on a personal leadership philosophy. 3018.1.3 : Sustaining Business Performance The graduate applies management and leadership theories for long-term global-business success. 3018.1.4 : Organizational Performance Methods The graduate analyzes appropriate methods to improve organizational performance. Introduction For this task you will conduct an evaluation of your personal leadership effectiveness. You will write a paper evaluating your own leadership using a scholarly leadership theory. To help you refine your own leadership skills, you will develop at least two SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound) goals as part of your evaluation. Requirements Your submission must represent your original work and understanding of the course material. Most performance assessment submissions are automatically scanned through the WGU similarity checker. Students are strongly encouraged to wait for the similarity report to generate after uploading their work and then review it to ensure Academic Authenticity guidelines are met before submitting the file for evaluation. See Understanding Similarity Reports for more information. Grammarly Note: Professional Communication will be automatically assessed through Grammarly for Education in most performance assessments before a student submits work for evaluation. Students are strongly encouraged to review the Grammarly for Education feedback prior to submitting work for evaluation, as the overall submission will not pass without this aspect passing. See Use Grammarly for Education Effectively for more information. Microsoft Files Note: Write your paper in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) unless another Microsoft product, or pdf, is specified in the task directions. Tasks may not be submitted as cloud links, such as links to Google Docs, Google Slides, OneDrive, etc. All supporting documentation, such as screenshots and proof of experience, should be collected in a pdf file and submitted separately from the main file. For more information, please see Computer System and Technology Requirements. You must use the rubric to direct the creation of your submission because it provides detailed criteria that will be used to evaluate your work. Each requirement below may be evaluated by more than one rubric aspect. The rubric aspect titles may contain hyperlinks to relevant portions of the course. Write a paper (suggested length of 6–10 pages) by doing the following: A. Provide a PDF copy of your “Signature Themes” report after completing the CliftonStrengths assessment. 1. Reflect on the results of the five categorical strengths from your CliftonStrengths assessment, including what those results might indicate about your leadership. B. Evaluate your leadership, using one of the scholarly leadership theories below, by doing the following: transformational leadership transactional leadership situational leadership participative leadership servant leadership behavioral leadership trait theory of leadership Evaluate three strengths of your leadership, using the chosen scholarly leadership theory, including how each strength relates to the theory. Support the evaluation of your strengths with at least one scholarly source. Evaluate three weaknesses of your leadership, using the chosen scholarly leadership theory, including how each weakness relates to the theory. Support the evaluation of your weaknesses with at least one scholarly source. Recommend three actionable items to improve the effectiveness of your leadership, including how each actionable item relates to the chosen scholarly leadership theory. Support the recommendations of actionable items with at least one scholarly source. Note: A scholarly source could be a reputable journal, a published book, or any source from a university faculty member or business leader. Scholarly sources also include any article or book in the online WGU library. C. Discuss two short-term goals that will help improve your leadership. Adhere to the SMART criteria for each goal: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. 1. Discuss at least two specific actions you will take to reach each of the SMART goals discussed in part C. D. Acknowledge sources, using in-text citations and references, for content that is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized. E. Demonstrate professional communication in the content and presentation of your submission. File Restrictions File name may contain only letters, numbers, spaces, and these symbols: ! – _ . * ‘ ( ) File size limit: 200 MB File types allowed: doc, docx, rtf, xls, xlsx, ppt, pptx, odt, pdf, csv, txt, qt, mov, mpg, avi, mp3, wav, mp4, wma, flv, asf, mpeg, wmv, m4v, svg, tif, tiff, jpeg, jpg, gif, png, zip, rar, tar, 7z Expert Answer and Explanation Personal Leadership Evaluation Success in both the personal and professional spheres is influenced by competent leadership. Through applying continuous introspection and theory-based assessment, leaders are able to pinpoint their strengths, acknowledge their weaknesses, and execute focused growth initiatives. Using Transformational Leadership theory as a framework, this essay offers a critical assessment of my own leadership. This theory provides a thorough framework for evaluating leadership behaviors. This assessment’s objectives are to identify two SMART goals that promote long-term professional development, analyze three personal leadership strengths and three areas for development, and suggest three doable tactics to increase leadership effectiveness. Overview of Transformational Leadership Theory Definition and Core Components The four primary pillars of transformational leadership are intellectual stimulation, customized consideration, inspirational motivation, and idealized influence. Leaders with idealized influence are role models whose actions inspire followers to respect and believe in them (Mafaz & Abdullah, 2024). Creating a compelling vision that inspires team members and cultivates a common goal is a key component of inspirational motivation. Intellectual stimulation inspires followers to consider novel answers by fostering innovation and challenging preconceived notions. According to Mafaz and Abdullah (2024), personalized attention shows a dedication to helping each team member realize their full potential on both a personal and professional level. Each of these elements plays a part in a leadership strategy that aims to improve organizational results as well as individual performance. Theoretical Relevance The transformational leadership paradigm makes it easier to mobilize followers to accomplish both personal and organizational goals (Mafaz & Abdullah, 2024). By employing this strategy, leaders cultivate a climate where groups feel appreciated and empowered, encouraging respect for one another and ongoing development. The development of trust, dedication, and high performance in dynamic work contexts are strongly correlated with the behaviors displayed by transformational leaders (Deng et al., 2023). This leadership approach is known to boost motivation, foster creativity, and foster a cooperative environment that can effectively adjust to shifting circumstances and obstacles. According to Deng et al. (2023), transformative leadership is linked to increased organizational effectiveness and
Case studies are a useful way for you to apply your knowledge of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects of pharmacology to specific patient cases and health histories.
Case studies are a useful way for you to apply your knowledge of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects of pharmacology Case studies are a useful way for you to apply your knowledge of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects of pharmacology to specific patient cases and health histories. For your week 4 assignment, evaluate drug treatment plans for patients with various disorders and justify drug therapy plans based on patient history and diagnosis. DIRECTIONS For each of the scenarios below, answer the questions using your learning resources, Medscape, and clinical practice guidelines (ie JNC 8, AHA, ACC etc). Lecturio is an optional resource but highly recommended. Be sure to thoroughly answer ALL questions. When recommending medications, write out a complete medication order. What would you send to a pharmacy? Include drug, dose, route, frequency, special instructions, # dispensed (days supply) and refill information. Also state if you would continue, discontinue or taper the patient’s current medications. Review and discuss ALL labs and possible interactions. Use at least 3 sources for each scenario and cite sources using APA format; include in-text citations. You do not need an introduction or conclusion paragraph. Please also review assignment rubric. SCENARIO 1 What are the errors in the following prescriptions (5 total)? Rewrite each prescription correctly. What is each medication classification? What is the mechanism of action (MOA)? linaglipton 5 mg PO daily #30 5 RF Tresiba inject 10 units SC TID with meals #1 box of 5 pens 1 RF tiotropium (Spiriva) 2.5 mcg PO BID #60 1 RF Qulipta 60 mg PRN for migraine #30 1 RF levothyroxine 88 mg PO daily #30 5 RF SCENARIO 2 PK is a 16-year-old female diagnosed with mild persistent asthma since age 12. During her visit today, she reports having to use her albuterol MDI 3 days per week over the past 2 months. Over the past week she has been using albuterol at least once per day. She reports being awakened by a cough 5 nights during the last month. She also has a fluticasone MDI, which she uses “most days of the week.” Her current medications include: Flovent HFA 44 mcg two puffs BID, Proventil HFA two puffs Q 4-6 hr PRN shortness of breath, fexofenadine 180 mg po daily, diphenhydramine 50 mg qhs prn. What treatment plan would you implement for PK? What medication changes would you make? Include a complete medication order. How would you monitor the effectiveness of this plan, and what patient education would you provide? SCENARIO 3 ES is a 45-year-old African American male that was prescribed bisoprolol for his high blood pressure. Blood pressure today is 142/89 HR 60 RR 15. He states that he only occasionally takes the medication because he does not like the side effects. What information would you provide to the patient at his visit? What is his goal blood pressure? How is hypertension treated per current guidelines (JNC 8, ACC, AHA)? How would you improve his treatment? Include a complete medication order. SCENARIO 4 TF is a 60 year old male presenting to the clinic for medication refills. Current medications include acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil 5 mg po qhs, anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody lecanemab (Leqembi) 10 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks for early Alzheimer’s disease, and atorvastatin 40 mg po daily. His lab work today includes: fasting BG is 195 mg/dL; HgA1C = 8.5%. Basic Metabolic Profile (BMP) is normal except for Cr 1.9 and eGRF 28. What is his goal A1C? Please SELECT and DISCUSS which of the following would be best to prescribe for TF: canagliflozin (Invokana) 100 mg PO daily exenatide (Byetta) 5 mcg SC twice daily glimepiride 1 mg PO daily glyburide 2.5 mg PO daily metformin 500 mg PO daily semaglutide (Ozempic) 0.25 mg SC once weekly sitagliptin (Januvia) 50 mg PO daily Expert Answer and Explanation Week 4 Assignment: Pharmacological Management of GI, Hepatobiliary, and Related Disorders Pharmacological decisions must align with patient-specific data, including clinical symptoms, history, comorbidities, and lab values. Understanding the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of medications is essential when treating patients with gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, and systemic concerns (Rosenthal & Burchum, 2021). This paper evaluates four clinical scenarios requiring medication review and treatment modification. The purpose of this paper is to assess medication errors, propose treatment plans, and apply evidence-based guidelines for optimal patient outcomes. SCENARIO 1: Prescription Review Linaglipton 5 mg PO daily #30 5 RF Error: Misspelling; the correct drug name is linagliptin. Corrected order: Linagliptin 5 mg PO daily №30 tablets with 5 refills. Class: DPP-4 inhibitor MOA: Linagliptin inhibits the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), which slows the breakdown of incretin hormones (Yu et al., 2023). Increased incretin levels enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion and suppress glucagon release. This leads to improved glycemic control by lowering post-meal glucose spikes without causing significant hypoglycemia (Yu et al., 2023). It is particularly useful in managing type 2 diabetes in combination with lifestyle interventions. 2. Tresiba inject 10 units SC TID with meals #1 box of 5 pens 1 RF Error: Frequency error; Tresiba (insulin degludec) is long-acting and should be dosed once daily. Corrected order: Insulin degludec (Tresiba) 10 units SC once daily №1 box (5 pens) with 1 refill. Class: Long-acting insulin MOA: Insulin degludec regulates blood glucose by enhancing peripheral glucose uptake, especially in muscle and fat tissues, and reducing glucose production in the liver (Chen et al., 2023). It mimics the body’s natural basal insulin, maintaining steady insulin levels over 24 hours (Chen et al., 2023). This action helps manage fasting blood glucose levels and supports overall glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus. 3. Tiotropium (Spiriva) 2.5 mcg PO BID #60 1 RF Error: Route error; tiotropium is inhaled, not taken orally. Corrected order: Tiotropium (Spiriva Respimat) 2.5 mcg/inhalation, inhale 2 puffs once daily №1 inhaler with 1 refill. Class: Long-acting anticholinergic MOA:Tiotropium works by selectively blocking M3 muscarinic receptors in the smooth muscles of the airways, preventing acetylcholine from binding (Kaplan & Chang, 2021). This inhibition leads to sustained bronchodilation, improving airflow and reducing symptoms in patients with chronic
Explain the value of biostatistics in population health research
Explain the value of biostatistics in population health research. Describe the role of epidemiology in researching and addressing population health challenges. How are epidemiology and biostatistics significant to your evidence-based practice proposal? Expert Answer The Value of Biostatistics When it comes to population health research, biostatistics is valuable in the sense that it supports decision-making by quantifying uncertainty, which makes it possible for those involved in research and policy formulation to make decisions guided by evidence. When conducting research, researchers rely on biostatistics to establish correlation and causal relationships between variables. Through statistical methods, for instance, a researcher can determine how hours of exercise correlate with the risk of cardiovascular disorder (Matranga, Bono, & Maniscalco, 2021). The value of the biostatistics is also noticeable during the analysis and processing of data, where researchers utilize the statistical tools to process data, and internalize this data so that they can generate meaningful inferences such as the impact of a particular exposure on population health outcomes. Role of Epidemiology in Researching and Addressing Population Health Challenges Population health significantly benefits from research, which is supported by epidemiology. Epidemiology, which involves studying the prevalence and the various factors that affect population health, helps identify health issues including the variation in the rates of distribution of these health issues across populations. The information generated from the epidemiological study informs research decisions (DiSalvo & Su, 2022). Through the study of the population health problems, epidemiologists identify the origin of diseases, which helps researchers to identify the individuals at increased risk of illness. Significance of Epidemiology and Biostatistics to the Evidence-Based Proposal Epidemiology and biostatistics are significant to the Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) proposal, with biostatistics supporting analysis of the quantitative data, which allows researchers to establish the statistical significance and validity of the findings. Epidemiology supports EBP proposal by informing the process of identifying a specific public health concern. This concern informs the preparation of the proposal. References DiSalvo, P., & Su, M. K. (2022). Biostatistics and Epidemiology for the Toxicologist: Incidence and Prevalence. Journal of medical toxicology : official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology, 18(1), 56–57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-021-00860-5. Matranga, D., Bono, F., & Maniscalco, L. (2021). Statistical Advances in Epidemiology and Public Health. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(7), 3549. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073549. Consider ecological and global issues, social determinants of health, principles of genetics, and genomics. Explain how translational research can be applied in these areas to address the burden of global disease. Expert Answer Ecological and Global Issues When it comes to addressing the burden of disease, translational research is crucial especially when applied in ecological and global health. Translational research, for instance, supports the development of the interventions focused on addressing population exposures. For instance, scientific research that link specific pollutants to a heart ailment can lead to the adoption of the policy-based initiatives to help regulate pollution. In addition, translational research can lead to the development of the predictive models that warn ecologists how the change in environment may cause the spread of vector-borne diseases (Shah et al., 2022). For example, the results generated from research are practically applied in creating predictive tools that predict the likelihood of the cases of a disease spiking. Social Determinants of Health Translational research can be applied in addressing the negative effects of the social determinants of health by informing the effective strategy for implementing evidence-based practice interventions. If EBP findings show that the use of a particular intervention is effective in improving population health outcomes in underserved communities, translational research can help ensure successful implementation of these interventions (Mayrink et al., 2022). Principles of Genetics Translational research can be applied in genetics and genomics by personalizing medicine. For example, researchers in the field of genetics may create tailored intervention plans for certain hereditary disorders on the genetic markers. This information may inform how providers treat certain disorders in specific patient populations. Genomics Translational research can help optimize global health outcomes by supporting an approach in human, animal and environmental aspects of health are considered in addressing certain health conditions. This approach comes to play when addressing global health concerns like Ebola epidemic. Through translational research, the global health systems may create targeted interventions to mitigate public health issues. Reference Mayrink, N. N. V., Alcoforado, L., Chioro, A., Fernandes, F., Lima, T. S., Camargo, E. B., & Valentim, R. A. M. (2022). Translational Research in Health Technologies: A Scoping Review. Frontiers in Digital Health, 4, 957367. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2022.957367. Shah, R. C., Hoyo, V., Moussatche, P., & Volkov, B. B. (2022). Improving Quality and Efficiency of Translational Research: Environmental Scan of Adaptive Capacity and Preparedness of Clinical and Translational Science Award Program hubs. Journal of clinical and translational science, 7(1), e42. https://doi.org/10.1017/cts.2022.423. Place your order now for a similar assignment and get fast, cheap and best quality work written by our expert level assignment writers.Use Coupon Code: NEW30 to Get 30% OFF Your First Order The Value of Biostatistics in Population Health Research In the rapidly evolving landscape of public health, two fundamental disciplines stand as pillars of scientific inquiry: biostatistics and epidemiology. These interconnected fields form the backbone of population health research, providing the analytical framework and methodological rigor necessary to understand, prevent, and address health challenges at scale. As healthcare increasingly shifts toward evidence-based practice, understanding the value and application of these disciplines becomes crucial for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers alike. Understanding Biostatistics: The Mathematical Foundation of Health Research Biostatistics represents the application of statistical methods to biological and health-related problems. This specialized branch of statistics serves as the quantitative engine that powers population health research, transforming raw health data into meaningful insights that can inform policy decisions and clinical interventions. The primary value of biostatistics in population health research lies in its ability to provide rigorous methods for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting complex health data. Through sophisticated statistical techniques, biostatistics enables researchers to identify patterns, test hypotheses, and draw valid conclusions from large datasets that would otherwise remain incomprehensible. In practical terms, biostatistics allows researchers to quantify disease prevalence
Post an episodic focused note about the patient in the case study to which you were assigned using the episodic/focused note
Post an episodic focused note about the patient in the case study to which you were assigned using the Assessing Musculoskeletal Pain Case 3: Knee Pain A 15-year-old male reports dull pain in both knees. Sometimes one or both knees click, and the patient describes a catching sensation under the patella. In determining the causes of the knee pain, what additional history do you need? What categories can you use to differentiate knee pain? What are your specific differential diagnoses for knee pain? What physical examination will you perform? What anatomic structures are you assessing as part of the physical examination? What special maneuvers will you perform? With regard to the case study you were assigned: Review this week’s Learning Resources, and consider the insights they provide about the case study. Consider what history would be necessary to collect from the patient in the case study you were assigned. Consider what physical exams and diagnostic tests would be appropriate to gather more information about the patient’s condition. How would the results be used to make a diagnosis? Identify at least five possible conditions that may be considered in a differential diagnosis for the patient. Post an episodic focused note about the patient in the case study to which you were assigned using the episodic/focused note template provided in the Week 5 resources. Provide evidence from the literature to support diagnostic tests that would be appropriate for each case. List five different possible conditions for the patient’s differential diagnosis and justify why you selected each. Expert Answer and Explanation Knee Pain Episodic/Focused SOAP Note Patient Information: JD is a 15-year-old African American Male. S. CC “Dull pain in both knees for four days.” HPI: JD is a 15-year-old African American Male who came to the hospital with complaints of dull pain in his both knees for the three days. He reports that he sometimes feels catching sensation under the patella and both knees often click. The pain started after playing basketball tournament three days ago. He has not applied any medication. The severity of the pain I 8/10. Current Medications: No medications Allergies: No allergies. PMHx: No history of major medical conditions. Pneumonia and influenza vaccines are up to date. Soc Hx: Denies tobacco or alcohol use. He is the only child in a middle-class family. He loves playing basketball. Fam Hx: He is the only child in a family of three. Both parents are alive and healthy. Grandfather died of depression. He committed suicide. Grandmother is alive as has type II diabetes. ROS: GENERAL: No fatigue, weight loss, or fever. HEENT: Eyes: No vision problems. Ears, Nose, Throat: No hearing problem, sneezing, runny nose, congestion, or sore throat. SKIN: No rash or itching. CARDIOVASCULAR: No heart problems. RESPIRATORY: No breathing problems. MUSCULOSKELETAL: Knee pain. HEMATOLOGIC: No anemia or bleeding. O. Physical exam: Constitutional: General Appearance: Healthy adult with moderate distress. A+O+3, mucous membranes moist, flushed, answers questions properly. Vitals: BP 122/90; P 57; R 20; T 36.3; W 58kgs; H 157cm. HEENT: Head: NC/AT. Eyes: Pupils are PERRL, extraocular movements intact; conjunctivae pink. Ears: Hearing intact, normal external appearance. Nose: Appears normal, clear mucus. Mouth: The are in good shape. Throat: No lesions or inflammation of the tonsils. Skin: Normal color for ethnicity, dry, warm, with no rashes or lesions. Cardiovascular: S1, S2 with regular rhythm and rate. No heart sounds. Lungs: Chest walls symmetric. Lungs clear and bilateral. Regular respirations. Knee: MRI shows ACL tear in both knees. Diagnostic results: Diagnosis for knee musculoskeletal can be done using MRI or X-ray (Ball et al., 2019). The authors note that X-ray cannot see the ligaments, and in this case, MRI is recommended. X-ray: Pending MRI: Pending A. Differential Diagnoses Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury. The primary diagnosis for this ACL injury. ACL injury is a sprain or tear ACL, one of the major ligaments in the knee (Korakakis et al., 2019). The injury occurs mostly in sportspersons. The disease causes pain in the knee. It has been included as the primary diagnosis because the patient is a sportsperson and recently got injured during a game. Knee locking: Characteristics of knee locking include catching sensation, swelling of the affected knee, and pain with extension (Lee, Nixion, Chandratreya & Murray, 2017). The disease is not a primary diagnosis because the patient is no swelling in the knee. Osteochondritis Dissecans: OCD is a joint condition that occurs when blood is not enough in the end of the bone. It also causes pain in the knee, and that is why it has been included in the diagnosis. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: JIA is the swelling of the joints. The disease occurs before a kid reaches 16 years (Ramanan et al., 2017). It causes joint pain, and that is why it has been included in the diagnosis. Repeated kneecap dislocation: Repeated patellar subluxation is the continued instability of the patellar, which causes knee pain. References Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2019). Seidel\’s guide to physical examination: An interprofessional approach (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby. Korakakis, V., Saretsky, M., Whiteley, R., Azzopardi, M. C., Klauznicer, J., Itani, A., … & Malliaropoulos, N. (2019). Translation into modern standard Arabic, cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties’ evaluation of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) in Arabic-speaking athletes with Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. PloS one, 14(6), e0217791. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217791 Lee, P. Y. F., Nixion, A., Chandratreya, A., & Murray, J. M. (2017). Synovial plica syndrome of the knee: a commonly overlooked cause of anterior knee pain. The Surgery Journal, 3(1), e9. doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1598047 Ramanan, A. V., Dick, A. D., Jones, A. P., McKay, A., Williamson, P. R., Compeyrot-Lacassagne, S., … & Beresford, M. W. (2017). Adalimumab plus methotrexate for uveitis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. New England Journal of Medicine, 376(17), 1637-1646. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1614160 Place your order now for a similar assignment and get fast, cheap and best quality work written by our expert level assignment writers.Use Coupon Code: NEW30 to Get 30% OFF Your First Order FAQs Osgood-schlatter