Shadow Health Focused Abdominal Assessment With Esther
Shadow Health Focused Abdominal Assessment With Esther This clinical experience is a focused exam. Students have one opportunity to complete this assignment and score at the Proficiency level. Upon completion, submit the lab pass to the instructor in the classroom. Students successfully scoring within the Proficiency level in the Digital Clinical Experience will earn a grade of 100 points. Students who do not pass the performance-based assessment and scoring within the Proficiency level will receive a failing grade (68 points). Please review the assignment in the Health Assessment Student Handbook in Shadow Health prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion. You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Expert Answer 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: NEW30 to Get 30% OFF Your First Order Shadow Health Focused Abdominal Assessment With Esther The Shadow Health focused abdominal assessment is a critical virtual simulation that helps nursing students develop essential clinical skills through realistic patient interactions. Shadow Health Digital Clinical Experiences™ are a vital part of the education of more than 700,000 nursing students across the country, making it one of the most widely used virtual simulation platforms in nursing education. Key Learning Objectives The Shadow Health abdominal pain focused exam with Esther Park is designed to help students master: Comprehensive health history taking techniques Physical assessment skills specific to abdominal complaints Clinical reasoning and diagnostic thinking Therapeutic communication with elderly patients Professional documentation standards Why This Assessment Matters Research shows that Shadow Health Digital Clinical Experiences™ help 82% of learners increase efficiency in clinical skills development. The program specifically improves: Skill Area Improvement Rate Clinical Impact Data Collection 82% Enhanced patient history accuracy Therapeutic Communication 78% Better patient rapport Care Planning 75% More comprehensive care strategies Clinical Reasoning 73% Improved diagnostic thinking Source: Elsevier Education Research, 2023 Understanding Esther Park Case Study {#esther-park-case} Patient Background Esther Park is a 78-year-old Korean-American woman presenting with abdominal pain. Understanding her demographic and cultural background is crucial for providing culturally competent care. Key Patient Demographics: Age: 78 years old Gender: Female Ethnicity: Korean-American Chief Complaint: Abdominal pain (6/10 severity) Associated Symptoms: Bloating, decreased appetite Clinical Presentation Overview Students encounter Esther Park in a simulated clinical environment where she presents with: Primary Symptoms: Abdominal pain rated 6/10 Bloating sensation Decreased appetite Concerns about bowel changes Assessment Findings: Tender abdominal mass in lower left quadrant Vital signs within normal limits for age Patient appears uncomfortable but cooperative Cultural Considerations When conducting the Shadow Health Esther Park assessment, students must consider: Language barriers and communication preferences Cultural attitudes toward pain expression Family involvement in healthcare decisions Traditional health beliefs that may influence symptoms reporting Step-by-Step Assessment Guide {#assessment-guide} Pre-Assessment Preparation Before beginning your shadow health focused exam abdominal pain simulation: Review anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal system Practice communication techniques for elderly patients Understand cultural competency basics Prepare assessment tools and documentation materials Systematic Assessment Approach 1. Subjective Data Collection History of Present Illness (HPI) Focus on the OLDCARTS method: Onset: When did the pain begin? Location: Where exactly is the pain? Duration: How long does it last? Character: What does the pain feel like? Aggravating factors: What makes it worse? Relieving factors: What helps? Timing: Is there a pattern? Severity: Rate the pain 1-10 Key Questions for Esther Park: “Can you describe your abdominal pain?” “What makes the pain better or worse?” “Have you noticed any changes in your bowel movements?” “Are you taking any medications?” 2. Objective Data Collection Apply the 4 basic components of the abdominal exam—inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation. Assessment Order (Critical for Abdomen): Inspection – Visual examination first Auscultation – Listen before touching Percussion – Light tapping for organ boundaries Palpation – Physical examination last Detailed Assessment Techniques Inspection Patient positioning: Supine with knees slightly bent Abdominal contour: Note symmetry, distention Skin integrity: Check for scars, rashes, masses Umbilicus: Assess for hernias or discharge Auscultation Bowel sounds: All four quadrants (5 minutes minimum) Vascular sounds: Listen for bruits Frequency: Normal, hyperactive, or hypoactive Percussion Organ boundaries: Liver span, spleen size Fluid detection: Shifting dullness for ascites Air-filled areas: Tympanic sounds over intestines Palpation When palpating the abdomen, ask the patient to bend their knees when lying in a supine position to enhance relaxation of abdominal muscles. Light Palpation: Assess all quadrants systematically Note tenderness, masses, or organ enlargement Important: Palpate painful areas last Deep Palpation: Deeper assessment of organs Check for rebound tenderness Assess for guarding or rigidity Clinical Documentation and SOAP Notes SOAP Note Structure for Esther Park Subjective Chief Complaint: “I’ve been having stomach pain for the past few days.” History of Present Illness: 78-year-old Korean-American female Abdominal pain onset 3 days ago Pain located in lower left quadrant Described as “cramping” and constant Severity 6/10 Associated with bloating and decreased appetite No fever, nausea, or vomiting reported Objective Vital Signs: BP: 142/88 mmHg HR: 76 bpm RR: 18/min Temp: 98.6°F Pain: 6/10 Physical Assessment: General appearance: Alert, oriented, appears uncomfortable Abdomen: Soft, non-distended, bowel sounds present Tender mass palpated in LLQ No rebound tenderness or guarding No hepatosplenomegaly Assessment Primary Diagnosis Considerations: Possible diverticulitis Rule out bowel obstruction Consider inflammatory bowel disease Plan Diagnostic: Complete blood count Comprehensive metabolic panel CT scan of abdomen/pelvis Urinalysis Therapeutic: NPO status initially IV hydration Pain management Monitor vital signs Documentation Best Practices Element Best Practice Common Mistakes Subjective Use patient’s exact words Interpreting patient statements Objective Include measurable data Subjective observations in objective Assessment Evidence-based conclusions Jumping to conclusions Plan Specific, measurable goals Vague treatment plans Common Challenges and Solutions Challenge 1: Communication Barriers Problem: Language and cultural differences affecting assessment quality Solutions: Use simple, clear language Allow extra time for responses Respect cultural pain expressions Consider family member interpretation (with patient consent) Challenge 2: Incomplete Data Collection Problem: Missing critical assessment components Solutions: Follow systematic assessment order Use assessment checklists Practice active listening techniques Review missed
How the BON Differs from Nursing and Healthcare Specialty Associations
Quick Answer The Board of Nursing (BON) differs from nursing and healthcare specialty associations since the BON serves as a regulatory body focused on public protection, while specialty associations primarily advocate for their members’ professional interests. This fundamental difference impacts licensing, practice standards, and regulatory oversight across the healthcare system. Introduction The nursing profession operates within a complex framework of regulatory bodies and professional organizations, each serving distinct roles in maintaining standards and advancing the field. Understanding how the BON differs from nursing and healthcare specialty associations is crucial for nurses, healthcare administrators, and students navigating professional requirements and career development. This comprehensive guide explores the fundamental differences between Boards of Nursing and nursing specialty associations, their unique functions, and their impact on nursing practice and public safety. What is a Board of Nursing (BON)? A Board of Nursing is a government-appointed regulatory body established by state law to protect public health, safety, and welfare through the regulation of nursing practice. The BON has the authority and power to regulate nursing practice utilizing the language stipulated in the NPA. It is also the responsibility of the BON to protect the US citizens’ health, safety, and welfare against substandard nursing care. Key Functions of BONs Licensing and Credentialing Issue initial nursing licenses Oversee license renewals and continuing education requirements Manage interstate licensing compacts Regulatory Oversight Investigate complaints against nurses Conduct disciplinary proceedings Impose sanctions when necessary Practice Standards Define scope of practice for different nursing roles Establish minimum competency requirements Update regulations based on evolving healthcare needs Understanding Nursing and Healthcare Specialty Associations Nursing specialty associations are private, professional organizations that represent specific nursing specialties or the broader nursing profession. While the ANA is an influential and respected voice and state boards of nursing will usually consider its suggestions, the ANA does not have the legal authority afforded by state boards of nursing. Primary Functions of Specialty Associations Professional Advocacy Lobby for favorable legislation Advocate for improved working conditions Promote professional recognition Education and Certification Provide continuing education opportunities Offer specialty certifications Conduct research and publish guidelines Member Services Networking opportunities Career development resources Professional support and mentorship Key Differences Between BONs and Specialty Associations Aspect Board of Nursing (BON) Specialty Associations Primary Purpose Public protection and safety Member advocacy and professional advancement Authority Legal/regulatory authority Professional influence only Funding Government-funded Membership dues and private funding Membership Appointed by government Voluntary membership Focus Regulatory compliance Professional development Disciplinary Power Can revoke licenses and impose sanctions No disciplinary authority Regulatory vs. Professional Focus While a BON’s duty is the safety of patients served by nurses within its jurisdiction, a nursing organization’s responsibility is also to advance its membership and the public’s interests. This fundamental difference shapes every aspect of how these organizations operate. BON Regulatory Focus: Patient safety first Enforcement of minimum standards Public accountability Legal compliance Association Professional Focus: Member benefits and advancement Industry leadership Innovation and best practices Professional networking The Regulatory Landscape: By the Numbers Understanding the scope of nursing regulation helps illustrate the importance of BONs in healthcare: National Statistics Metric Value Source Number of State BONs in the US 58 (RN and PN combined) NCSBN, 2024 States participating in NLC 42 states/territories LeaderStat, 2024 BONs sharing licensure data 57 out of 58 NCSBN Database Licensing and Regulation Impact Active RN Licenses: Over 4.2 million registered nurses hold active licenses across the United States Compact States: As of 2024, 42 states/territories have enacted the compact. The most recent state to enact the compact was Connecticut. Regulatory Oversight: Each BON processes thousands of applications, investigations, and disciplinary cases annually How BON Regulations Affect Nursing Practice Direct Regulatory Impact BONs have immediate, legally binding authority over nursing practice through: Licensing Requirements: Initial licensure examinations (NCLEX-RN/NCLEX-PN) Continuing education mandates Renewal procedures and deadlines Practice Standards: Scope of practice definitions Delegation guidelines Documentation requirements Disciplinary Actions: License suspension or revocation Probationary conditions Mandatory remediation programs Association Influence on Practice While lacking regulatory authority, specialty associations influence practice through: Professional Standards: Evidence-based practice guidelines Specialty competency frameworks Quality indicators and metrics Education and Certification: Voluntary specialty certifications Advanced practice credentials Continuing education programs Advocacy and Policy: Legislative lobbying efforts Position statements on practice issues Research and publication initiatives The Collaborative Relationship Despite their different roles, BONs and specialty associations often work collaboratively: Areas of Cooperation Standard Development Associations provide expertise for regulatory updates BONs consider association recommendations in rule-making Joint task forces on emerging practice issues Education and Outreach Shared educational initiatives Public awareness campaigns Professional development programs Research and Data Sharing Workforce studies and trend analysis Safety and quality research Policy impact assessments Practical Implications for Nurses When to Contact Your BON License-related questions or issues Suspected violations of nursing practice Scope of practice clarifications Formal complaints or disciplinary matters When to Engage with Specialty Associations Professional development opportunities Networking and mentorship Advocacy for workplace improvements Specialty certification and recognition Understanding Your Professional Obligations BON-Mandated Requirements: Maintain active licensure Complete required continuing education Report changes in contact information Comply with scope of practice regulations Professional Best Practices (Association-Recommended): Pursue specialty certifications Engage in evidence-based practice Participate in professional development Contribute to nursing research and innovation State-Specific Variations While BON functions are similar across states, there are important variations: Texas BON Example The mission of the BON is to protect and promote public welfare, specifically focusing on: Licensing over 300,000 nurses Enforcing the Texas Nursing Practice Act Investigating complaints and violations Providing public information about licensees Compact State Considerations Nurses in compact states benefit from: Multi-state practice privileges Streamlined licensing processes Enhanced mobility for practice Future Trends and Developments Evolving Regulatory Landscape Technology Integration: Electronic licensing systems Automated renewal processes Digital credential verification Practice Evolution: Telehealth regulations Advanced practice role expansion Interprofessional collaboration guidelines Association Adaptation Member Services Enhancement: Digital education platforms Virtual networking opportunities Data-driven advocacy efforts Professional Advancement: New specialty certifications Leadership development programs Research and innovation initiatives Frequently Asked Questions Can specialty associations override BON decisions? No, specialty associations
Do you agree with the priorities or would you recommend addition or elimination of some of the priorities?
Do you agree with the priorities or would you recommend addition or elimination of some of the priorities? Based on what you have learned so far this week, create a PowerPoint presentation with detailed notes for each slide that addresses each of the following points/questions. No audio recording is required. Be sure to completely answer all the questions. Use clear headings that allow your professor to know which bullet you are addressing on the slides in your presentation. Support your content with at least four (4) citations throughout your presentation. Make sure to reference the citations using the APA writing style for the presentation. Include a slide for your references at the end. Follow best practices for PowerPoint presentations by going to the Writing and Resource center, Module 3: Assignments, Microsoft, and utilize the Microsoft Overview and the Creating a Quality PowerPoint video. Explore the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) website. Review their publication Bringing Science to Life: NINR Strategic Plan (2011, p. 7) to identify the current priorities for nursing research. • Do you agree with the priorities or would you recommend addition or elimination of some of the priorities? • What effect do the nursing research priorities have on nursing researchers? • What criteria must be met in order to consider a practice, evidence-based? Provide examples. • Explain the role quality plays in evidence-based practice? Based on the information you’ve learned to this point, write a research proposal that relates to a chosen research topic. Include the following information in your proposal: Hypothesis Theory Design model Method(s) Anticipated results Potential Dissemination Avenues M7 Assignment UMBO – 1, 4 M7 Assignment PLG – 1, 4 M7 Assignment CLO – 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 More information about this assignment: Length: 15-17 slides; answers must thoroughly address the questions in a clear, concise manner Structure: Title: 1 slide NINR Strategic Plan questions: at least 5 slides Proposal details: at least 6 slides Conclusion: at least 2 slides References: at least 1 slide References: Use the appropriate APA style in-text citations and references for all resources utilized to answer the questions. Include at least three (3) scholarly sources to support your claims. Format: Save your assignment as a Microsoft PowerPoint document and a Word document (.pptx) and (.doc or .docx) or Open Office Impress. File Name: Name your saved file according to your first initial, last name, and the module number (for example, “RHall Module1.pptx”) Expert Answer and Explanation NINR Strategic Plan and Proposed Study I agree with these priorities. The priorities aim to improve quality of life of communities and patient care. For instance, disease prevention can reduce cost of care by removing people’s risk of developing diseases. Apart from healing, patients in end-of-life stage need to die in peace and without pain. Healthcare needs future researchers to improve and this is one of the focuses of the NINR. In other words, the NUNR focuses on critical areas in care that will highly improve quality of care in future. The priorities provide nursing researchers with direction regarding nursing research. The priorities show nursing researchers where they need to focus on when conducting nursing research. For instance, by focusing on enhancing disease prevention and health promotion, nursing researchers can conduct studies on preventable illnesses such as obesity, heart problems, hepatitis B, diphtheria, anthrax, measles, and many more. In summary, the priorities are used by nursing researchers to create purpose of their research projects. There are three criteria that must be met for a practice to be considered evidence-based. The first criterion is that it must be from best evidence. In other words, the care practice must be supported by recent and available evidence (Horntvedt et al., 2018). The second criterion is that it must supported by clinical expertise. The intervention should be effective clinically for it to be evidence-based. Lastly, the practice must be focused on patient values and circumstances. A practice that is not patient-centered is not evidence-based (Horntvedt et al., 2018). A patient or population can be said to have received quality care if their desired health outcomes are met. Quality care is also a type of care that ensures patient safety. Patients receiving quality care do not experience medical errors or near miss events. Quality care is also cost effective (Schuelke et al., 2019). Quality care also focuses on improving health and wellbeing of patients and populations. In other words, quality care is effective, safe, patient-centered, and better wellbeing and health. Quality plays a vital role in evidence-based practice. One of the roles of quality in evidence-based practice is to give direction on what an evidence-based practice should achieve. According to Schuelke et al. (2019), characteristics of quality care include patient-centered, effective, better wellbeing and health, and safe. Evidence-based practices should achieve the four characteristics for them to be of high quality (Horntvedt et al., 2018). Quality improvement improves evidence-based care by providing data that can be used by healthcare professionals to provide evidence-based care. Educators can use simulations with standardized patients to provide nursing students realistic experience and expertise of end-of-life care (Fischer et al., 2018). It is hypothesized that nursing students who participant in end-of-life care simulations with standardized patients would have self-confidence, skilled performance, and increased knowledge associated with end-of-life care than those who do not. This theory argues that healthcare professionals to identify patient problems and use them to develop care (Mehraee et al., 2020). Most patients need treatment plan to help them achieve recovery. However, others, especially who suffer from chronic conditions such and renal kidney failure need care to help them have quality life before their end. This project is based on the theory that requires nurses to provide care that is patient-centered. This design will help the researcher identify whether participating in end-of-life care simulations with standardized patients can improve nursing students’ knowledge and experience in providing end-of-life car. The design has been selected because it allows for direct comparison of treatments being studied to establish superiority. It has also been
Stakeholder support is necessary for a successful project implementation. Consider your internal stakeholders, such as the facility, unit, or health care setting where the change proposal is being considered, and your external stakeholders
Stakeholder support is necessary for a successful project implementation. Consider your internal stakeholders, such as the facility, unit, or health Topic 5 DQ 1 Stakeholder support is necessary for a successful project implementation. Consider your internal stakeholders, such as the facility, unit, or health care setting where the change proposal is being considered, and your external stakeholders, like an individual or group outside the health care setting. Based on your assessment, identify two internal and two external stakeholders. Why is their support necessary to the success of your change proposal? Identify one unique strength (as a person/nurse) that would help you secure support from stakeholders in order to develop effective interprofessional relationships. Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “RN-BSN DQ Rubric” and “RN-BSN Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively. American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competencies 3.5, 6.2, 9.1 Expert Answer: Topic 5 DQ 1 Internal Stakeholders To successfully implement change, Helping Hands Community Health Services need engage and involve the stakeholders like the organization’s administration and the clinical staff, both of which are the internal stakeholders. The administration’s support matters in this case because it provides various forms of support, from allocating resources to sharing meaningful feedback to help improve the outcomes of the change implementation. For their part, members of the staff are directly involved in the implementation of the change, and involving them is crucial in the sense that it ensures they accurately execute the change, comply with the policy requirements, and follow implementation guidelines (Elwy et al., 2022). External Stakeholders The involvement of the community organizations like those that provide shelter is also crucial in terms of improving the implementation outcomes for change. They specifically help address social limitations that hamper access to the health care services, which may impede the attainment of the change adoption objectives. For their part, the local public health departments can support the change through sharing meaningful data that can be useful in informing change strategies and measures. Strength that Helps Secure the Stakeholder’s Support Strong communication and interpersonal skills and cultural competence skills can help secure the support of the stakeholders. With these skills, a nurse demonstrates abilities like the ability to listen, and to communicate in a respectful manner considering the stakeholders’ communication and cultural needs. This results to the delivery of targeted message, increases stakeholders’ buy-in (Maurer et al., 2022). References Elwy, A. R., Maguire, E. M., Kim, B., & West, G. S. (2022). Involving Stakeholders as Communication Partners in Research Dissemination Efforts. Journal of general internal medicine, 37(Suppl 1), 123–127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-021-07127-3. Maurer, M., Mangrum, R., Hilliard-Boone, T., Amolegbe, A., Carman, K. L., Forsythe, L., Mosbacher, R., Lesch, J. K., & Woodward, K. (2022). Understanding the Influence and Impact of Stakeholder Engagement in Patient-centered Outcomes Research: a Qualitative Study. Journal of general internal medicine, 37(Suppl 1), 6–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-021-07104-w. Topic 5 DQ 2 Technology is integral to successful implementation in many projects, through either support or integration or both. Name two information/communication technologies that could improve the implementation process and the outcomes of your capstone project. How would this technology be appropriately applied during the implementation phase of your project? Describe one potential barrier that could prevent the use of this technology. Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “RN-BSN DQ Rubric” and “RN-BSN Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively. American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competencies 8.1, 8.3 Expert Answer: Topic 5 DQ 2 Technologies for Supporting the Capstone Change Project The proposed capstone project involves establishing the Crisis Intervention Centers (CICs) to address overcrowding in Emergency Departments (EDs), which is associated with high caseload, and negative patient care outcomes like re-hospitalization. The Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and the Telehealth technology can help improve the implementation and the outcomes of this particular project. The EHR technology in particular can be useful in supporting uninterrupted exchange of patients’ data, allowing providers working in CICs to access details of patients’ health history. CIC providers may use this information to inform mental health intervention decisions. The benefit of this is that it eliminates the duplication of services which is associated with delayed care delivery (Upadhyay & Hu, 2022). During implementation, the EHRs can support designing of the workflows, ensuring that the patient’s health data is available and accessible to the CIC staff. Telehealth can be used in EDs to conduct patient assessment, determining whether their condition warrants the need to divert them to the CIC. The implementation of this particular technology may involve having a triage nurse connect a patient with psychiatrists that provide mental health services virtually. This technology has a potential of improving outcome by allowing patients to receive timely mental health assessment. Concern Having systems exchange data between ED and CICs can be a challenge if these systems are incompatible. The impact of this is delayed data sharing which could cause unintended consequences like exacerbation of patients’ mental health issues. This underscores the need to standardize data sharing (Watson et al., 2023). References Upadhyay, S., & Hu, H. F. (2022). A Qualitative Analysis of the Impact of Electronic Health Records (EHR) on Healthcare Quality and Safety: Clinicians’ Lived Experiences. Health services insights, 15, 11786329211070722. https://doi.org/10.1177/11786329211070722. Watson, H., Gallifant, J., Lai, Y., Radunsky, A. P., Villanueva, C., Martinez, N., Gichoya, J., Huynh, U. K., & Celi, L. A. (2023). Delivering on NIH Data Sharing Requirements: Avoiding Open Data in Appearance Only. BMJ Health & Care Informatics, 30(1),
Assess the culture of the clinical site/organization and organizational policies for potential challenges in implementing the nursing practice intervention. Why is understanding the health care system and clinical system at the local level important to consider when planning an EBP implementation?
Assess the culture of the clinical site/organization and organizational policies for potential challenges in implementing the nursing practice intervention Topic 4 DQ 1 Assess the culture of the clinical site/organization and organizational policies for potential challenges in implementing the nursing practice intervention. Why is understanding the health care system and clinical system at the local level important to consider when planning an EBP implementation? Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “RN-BSN DQ Rubric” and “RN-BSN Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively. Expert Answer: Topic 4 DQ 1 Assessment of Impact of Organizational Culture and Policies Implementation of the nursing practice intervention can be challenging due to various limitations including lack of effective communication across departments, which hampers sharing of information about a new practice. The other limitation is ineffective programs and interventions for staff training, which hampers training of the staff to adopt the new practice. With an effective training program, it is possible to consistently improve the staff competency and skills. Inadequate resources can be impediment in the sense that it delays or obstructs the adoption of a new practice. If an organization has limited members of the clinical staff, for instance, implementing a new practice can be a significant challenge (Alsaqqa, 2024). The lack of alignment between the implementation guidelines and organizational policies also poses a challenge. The Need to Understand the Local Health Care System When planning EBP implementation, it is important to understand the clinical and local health care systems at the local level because it helps one be aware of the existing challenges that they have to navigate to achieve successful implementation. This information may help with preparation. If one identifies lack of adequate staff as a concern, they may propose the recruitment of new staff members to implement the new practice. The knowledge about these systems may also help one to develop targeted interventions for each patient population, or based on the availability of technological infrastructure. For example, a local health facility may integrate EBP with informatics systems to ease decision-making if it has an established technological infrastructure (Walker & Ivory, 2023). References Alsaqqa H. H. (2024). Organizational Culture Relation With Innovation Comment on “Employee-Driven Innovation in Health Organizations: Insights From a Scoping Review”. International journal of health policy and management, 13, 8583. https://doi.org/10.34172/ijhpm.8583. Walker, P. D., & Ivory, C. H. (2023). Using Technology to Facilitate Evidence-Based Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Nursing clinics of North America, 58(1), 97–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2022.10.009. Topic 4 DQ 2 Compare and contrast two change and/or nursing theories. Explain which theory would best support the implementation of your specific evidence-based intervention. Provide rationale for your choice. Gather feedback on applying this theory to your clinical setting from your preceptor and share their insights in your post. Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “RN-BSN DQ Rubric” and “RN-BSN Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively. Expert Answer: Topic 4 DQ 2 Comparison of the Two Theories As nursing theories, Roy’s Adaptation Model (RAM) and Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory (SCDNT) differ in terms of focus, concepts, goal and application. The RAM focuses on individuals’ adaptation to changes in their surroundings while SCDNT recognizes the ability of individuals to take care of their health while emphasizing the significance of nursing intervention in the event that one lacks the ability to manage their health. In terms of goal, RAM supports adaptive responses and the management of stimuli with focus on empowering patients to positively adapt to stimuli (Roussia, Muthu, & Ilesanmi, 2023). Conversely, SCDNT focuses on assisting patients to meet their self-care needs through nursing intervention if they have deficiencies that make it difficult for them to manage their health. The Selected Theory for Supporting the Evidence-Based Intervention Considering an evidence-based intervention focused on the implementation of hypertension-based self-management education program in a primary care clinic for hypertensive patients, the applicable theory would be SCDNT. The reason for the selection of this theory is that it is consistent with the proposed program which integrates various interventions focused on improving health outcomes among hypertensive patients (Hellqvist, 2021). In this case, a patient may receive nursing support only if they are unable to meet every aspect of their health need by adhering to the instructions provided as part of the self-management education program. References Hellqvist, C. (2021). Promoting Self-Care in Nursing Encounters with Persons Affected by Long-Term Conditions-A Proposed Model to Guide Clinical Care. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(5), 2223. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052223. Roussia, S., Muthu, P., & Ilesanmi, R. E. (2023). Self-care Management in Heart Failure Using Roy Adaptation Theory-guided Intervention in the United Arab Emirates. SAGE open nursing, 9, 23779608231160484. https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608231160484. Place your order now for a similar assignment and get fast, affordable and best quality work written by our expert level assignment writers.Use Coupon: NEW30 to Get 30% OFF Your First Order Assessing Clinical Site Culture and Organizational Policies for Evidence-Based Practice Implementation: A Comprehensive Guide Executive Summary Understanding how to assess the culture of clinical sites and organizational policies is crucial for successful evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation in nursing. This comprehensive guide examines the critical factors that influence EBP adoption, providing practical frameworks for evaluating organizational readiness and overcoming implementation barriers at the local healthcare system level. Introduction Evidence-based practice implementation in healthcare settings requires careful assessment of organizational culture, policies, and local healthcare system dynamics. Assessing an organization’s culture and readiness for evidence-based practice (EBP) can afford insight on the strengths, challenges and opportunities that exist to equip nurse managers to advance evidence-based practice at individual, professional and organizational
Develop a PICOT question using your approved nursing practice problem. Post a draft of your PICOT question in the following format:
Develop a PICOT question using your approved nursing practice problem. Post a draft of your PICOT question in the following format Topic 3 DQ 1 Develop a PICOT question using your approved nursing practice problem. Post a draft of your PICOT question in the following format: In_______________(Population), how does _______________ (Intervention) compared to _______________ (Comparison) affect _______________ (Outcome) within______________(Time, optional)? This should be the same question you will be using in your “PICOT Question Development” assignment. Give and receive feedback to refine your PICOT question. Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “RN-BSN DQ Rubric” and “RN-BSN Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively. American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competencies 9.3 Expert Answer: Topic 3 DQ 1 In adolescent and adult experiencing acute mental distress (Population), how does treatment at a crisis intervention center (Intervention) compared to traditional psychiatric care delivered at emergency department (Comparison) affect emergency department utilization (Outcome) within 3 months of initial presentation (Time)? Assessment of this PICOT Question shows clear definition of the population, which in this case includes adolescents and adults with emergency mental health crisis. The question also includes intervention and comparison, clearly highlighting how treatment at a crisis intervention center compares to the traditional care in which patients receive mental health intervention support in emergency departments (EDs). The question, in addition, highlights the outcomes which according to the generated PICOT represent the utilization of the emergency department. This is indicated by the EDs visits. The generated PICOT question can help inform the measures collected to help establish the potency of the intervention and the comparison (Luijendijk, 2021). For instance, the decline in EDs visits could be evidence of the effectiveness of the proposed intervention. Further refining of the PICOT question may be necessary in a scenario in which a researcher intends to focus only on a specific population. Focusing on the specific type of the mental health distress may also help with refining the question (McClinton, 2022). References Luijendijk, H. J. (2021). How to Create PICO Questions About Diagnostic Tests. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, 26(4), 155–157. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjebm-2021-111676. McClinton, T. D. (2022). A guided Search: Formulating a PICOT from Assigned Areas of Inquiry. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 19(5), 426–427. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12598. Topic 3 DQ 2 Define the role of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) when conducting research. Provide an example of a peer-reviewed research article involving human subjects and addressing a nursing practice issue. Discuss the ethical considerations the researchers considered when conducting the study. Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “RN-BSN DQ Rubric” and “RN-BSN Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively. Expert Answer: Topic 3 DQ 2 The IRB Role The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee responsible of reviewing and approving research studies in which human subjects are involved. The IRB enforces regulatory requirements focused on protecting various aspects of research subjects’ rights including their right to privacy. The IRB conducts risk-benefit analysis to determine whether an intervention that is being investigated yields benefits that outweigh the risks. IRB also confirms informed consent, ensuring that subjects participate in the research while being aware of the reason for participation, the risks and how their health information will be used (Capili & Anastasi, 2024). Furthermore, IRB protects vulnerable groups, preventing the exploitation of these groups. Peer-Reviewed Article A peer-reviewed article authored by Chao et al. (2025), sought to determine whether immersive teaching strategies were effective in terms of prevention of pressure ulcers. The research incorporates a partially randomized participant preference (PRPP), with the placebo group receiving immersive learning intervention in which only learning manuals were used, and the intervention group receiving immersive learning that incorporated the use of workshops, multimedia videos and learning manuals. The test-scores for the intervention groups were higher compared to those of the placebo group. Ethical Consideration as Highlighted in the Study Ethical evaluation of the article reveals different ethical considerations including the use of the informed consent given that the subjects received details pertaining to the role of the study, the procedures used the risks. The use of randomization reduced the participants’ selection bias. References Capili, B., & Anastasi, J. K. (2024). Ethical Research and the Institutional Review Board: An Introduction. The American Journal of Nursing, 124(3), 50–54. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0001008420.28033.e8. Chao, W.-Y., Wu, Y.-L., Hsu, M.-Y., & Chu, C.-L. (2025). Effectiveness of Immersive Teaching Strategies on Pressure Injury: Impact on Nurses’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Self-Efficacy – A Partially Randomized Participant Preference (PRPP) Controlled Trial. Nurse Education in Practice, 82, 104237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2024.104237. Place your order now for a similar assignment and get fast, affordable and best quality work written by our expert level assignment writers.Use Coupon: NEW30 to Get 30% OFF Your First Order How to Develop a PICOT Question Using Your Approved Nursing Practice Problem: Complete Guide with Examples What is a PICOT Question? A PICOT question is a structured format used to formulate focused clinical questions that facilitate the discovery of relevant evidence through systematic searching. The acronym stands for: P – Population/Patient I – Intervention C – Comparison O – Outcome T – Time This evidence-based practice framework helps nursing students and professionals create research questions that guide literature searches and improve patient care outcomes. Why PICOT Questions Matter in Nursing Practice The evidence-based practice (EBP) competencies of cultivating inquiry and formulation of PICOT questions are essential to quality improvement, healthcare outcomes, and the development of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) scholarly projects. Statistical Impact of PICOT in Nursing Research Research Area Improvement Rate
Once you have selected a topic for your capstone project, you will need to examine research articles to explore viable solutions. The GCU Library has various resources to support students during this process
Once you have selected a topic for your capstone project, you will need to examine research articles to explore viable solutions Once you have selected a topic for your capstone project, you will need to examine research articles to explore viable solutions. The GCU Library has various resources to support students during this process. Based on the first letter of your first name, you are assigned the following GCU Library resource: A-F: GCU Library Nursing and Health Sciences Research Guide G-L: GCU Library: Find Journal Articles M-S: GCU Library: What Are Empirical/Research Articles? T-Z: GCU Library: Capstone and Evidence-Based Projects Please note: each of these links can be found in the topic Resources. Describe the resource assigned to you including two examples of how this resource will support your successful completion of the capstone project. Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “RN-BSN DQ Rubric” and “RN-BSN Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively. Expert Answer: Topic 2 DQ 1 Description of the Resource The GCU Library Nursing and Health Sciences Research Guide, assists students to carry out research by providing access to academic resources, and databases, allowing students to conduct literature search, and retrieve meaningful literature. As a resource, the GCU also has guidelines and tools that assist students to find relevant scholarly articles. For instance, a student can access information related to the APA citation including tools that allow users to access details about pharmacological interventions. Support for the Capstone Project Success One of the ways in which the resource supports capstone project success is that it guides the search for literature using different forms of database including the PubMed. The databases accessible via the GCU Nursing and Health Sciences Research Guide enhance the search of academic materials, allowing students to find appropriate articles (GCU Library, n.d.). These articles can help validate interventions in the capstone project. The resource also helps improve the capstone project outcomes by providing a guide on how to conduct a successful Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) initiative. It does this by providing tools and materials that guide researchers on how to retrieve sources, and synthesize these sources to generate evidence. By supporting EBP, the GCU resource helps improve the quality of the content of the capstone project (Reid, Chiavaroli, & Bilszta, 2022). This also ensures grounding of the capstone to the evidence, improving its validness. References GCU Library (n.d.). Nursing & Health Sciences. https://libguides.gcu.edu/Nursing. Reid, K. J., Chiavaroli, N. G., & Bilszta, J. L. C. (2022). Assessing a Capstone Research Project in Medical Training: Examiner Consistency Using Generic Versus Domain-Specific Rubrics. Journal of medical education and curricular development, 9, 23821205221081813. https://doi.org/10.1177/23821205221081813. Topic 2 DQ 2 Differentiate between research and EBP. Discuss a peer-reviewed article that you have located that supports the need for a change in nursing practice. Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “RN-BSN DQ Rubric” and “RN-BSN Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively. Expert Answer: Topic 2 DQ 2 Differences Between Research and EBP While Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) and Research serve the same purpose of improving nursing practice through knowledge development, the two are dissimilar, with this distinctiveness seen across areas like aim, focus and the method employed. While research contributes to the generation of knowledge, EBP involves the application of the knowledge generated through research and other methods to practice, often with the aim of optimizing the quality of care. In terms of the methods employed, research integrates structured method of literature analysis to generate knowledge while EBP is characterized by the appraisal of evidence, and using this evidence to inform clinical decisions. By conducting research, researchers seek to develop new ideas and gain new insights (Cardoso et al., 2021). Conversely, EBP results to the improvement in clinical practice. Peer-Reviewed Article The article authored by Watanabe et al. (2023) features a study conducted to investigate the efficacy of the telemental health in addressing mental disorders in rural areas. The method employed involved searching for literature in selected databases including MEDLINE, and retrieving and synthesizing a total of six sources that met the inclusion criteria. Two of these studies revealed that the adoption of the identified intervention translated to the improvement of the symptoms of certain mental health disorders like depression among residents of rural areas. The identified article matters because it demonstrates the ability of the telhealth-based interventions to support access to mental health care in rural areas. It also illustrates the effectiveness of this intervention in improving symptoms in patients with psychiatric issues. This information can be incorporated into EBP to improve mental health outcomes in rural areas. References Cardoso, D., Couto, F., Cardoso, A. F., Bobrowicz-Campos, E., Santos, L., Rodrigues, R., Coutinho, V., Pinto, D., Ramis, M. A., Rodrigues, M. A., & Apóstolo, J. (2021). The Effectiveness of an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Educational Program on Undergraduate Nursing Students’ EBP Knowledge and Skills: A Cluster Randomized Control Trial. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(1), 293. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18010293. Watanabe, J., Teraura, H., Nakamura, A., & Kotani, K. (2023). Telemental Health in Rural Areas: A Systematic Review. Journal of Rural Medicine: JRM, 18(2), 50–54. https://doi.org/10.2185/jrm.2022-059. Place your order now for a similar assignment and get fast, affordable and best quality work written by our expert level assignment writers.Use Coupon: NEW30 to Get 30% OFF Your First Order The Guide to Capstone Project Research: Leveraging GCU Library Resources for Academic Success Once you have selected a topic for your capstone project, you will need to examine research articles to explore viable solutions. The GCU Library has various resources to support students during this
The National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) championed the goal that 90% of clinical decisions will be evidence-based by 2020. A recent systematic review of the published literature indicates
The National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) championed the goal that 90% of clinical decisions will be evidence-based by 2020 The National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) championed the goal that 90% of clinical decisions will be evidence-based by 2020. A recent systematic review of the published literature indicates that evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation remains deficient despite an ongoing effort to increase implementation. Discuss two barriers that might hold nursing practice from achieving this goal and suggest ways in which the identified barriers may be addressed. Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “RN-BSN DQ Rubric” and “RN-BSN Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively. Expert Answer: Topic 2 DQ 1 Barriers and Solutions to EBP Adoption The limited adoption of the Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is attributed to barriers like unsupportive organizational culture and inadequate knowledge in EBP. The lack of support for the EBP is particularly a major impediment as it limits the prioritization of the EBP initiatives. This kind of culture is characterized by a high number of caseloads, which leave providers with limited time to embrace EBP. The lack of support from the leadership also discourages the prioritization of the EBP activities (Alqahtani et al., 2022). Thus, addressing this particular barrier requires that leaders prioritize EBP initiatives, and allocate adequate time and resources for research analysis and other EBP-based activities. The gap in knowledge pertaining to the appraising and application of evidence to practice is a major impediment that discourages clinicians from participating in the implementation of the EBP activities. This challenge results due to the lack of access to the career advancement opportunities (Rogan et al. 2020). Providing nurses with clinical decision support tools and training them to learn how to use this type of tool can help ease their work of adopting EBP (Pitsillidou et al., 2021). Alternatively, an organization may have mentors to coach the clinical staff to adopt EBP. By guiding and supporting the staff to integrate evidence to practice, the mentors contribute to the full integration of the EBP into clinical decisions. References Alqahtani, J. M., Carsula, R. P., Alharbi, H. A., Alyousef, S. M., Baker, O. G., & Tumala, R. B. (2022). Barriers to Implementing Evidence-Based Practice among Primary Healthcare Nurses in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nursing reports (Pavia, Italy), 12(2), 313–323. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep12020031. Pitsillidou, M., Roupa, Z., Farmakas, A., & Noula, M. (2021). Factors Affecting the Application and Implementation of Evidence-based Practice in Nursing. Acta informatica medica : AIM : journal of the Society for Medical Informatics of Bosnia & Herzegovina : casopis Drustva za medicinsku informatiku BiH, 29(4), 281–287. https://doi.org/10.5455/aim.2021.29.281-287. Rogan, J., Zielke, M., Drumright, K., & Boehm, L. M. (2020). Institutional Challenges and Solutions to Evidence-Based, Patient-Centered Practice: Implementing ICU Diaries. Critical care nurse, 40(5), 47–56. https://doi.org/10.4037/ccn2020111. Topic 2 DQ 2 In preparation for your assignment this week, brainstorm two to three clinical practice problems or issues you can develop into a nursing practice change. What indicates these as clinical issues in nursing practice? Support your discussion with two peer-reviewed journal articles. Initial discussion question posts should be a minimum of 200 words and include at least two references cited using APA format. Responses to peers or faculty should be 100-150 words and include one reference. Refer to “RN-BSN DQ Rubric” and “RN-BSN Participation Rubric,” located in Class Resources, to understand the expectations for initial discussion question posts and participation posts, respectively. Expert Answer: Topic 2 DQ 2 Congestion of the patients in need of urgent emergency care interventions in Emergency Departments (EDs) is a major clinical issue considering that it delays the delivery of care, and results to undesirable and unintended health outcomes like serious medical complications. With overcrowded EDs, clinicians experience emotional and physical exhaustion with high levels of stress which results to high cases of medical errors (Zaboli et al., 2024). This warrants the need to redirect patients to crisis centers, primarily established to reduce overcrowding in EDs. In rural areas, access to psychiatric services is limited, a problem tied to the inadequate availability of the providers, stigmatizing of mental illness, and the lack of access to transport. All these factors impede access to mental health services in rural communities, causing undesirable mental health outcomes. This explains the reason why it is an issue that needs to be resolved. Solution to this issue involves using telehealth technology to virtually connect patients to providers (Butzner & Cuffee, 2021). Telehealth can serve a channel through which patients access services that can help promote their health. Burnout among mental health counselors is a prevalent practice issue because it results to high turnover of these counselors. This causes the decline in the quality of care as counselors are compelled to address the needs of each patient. References Butzner, M., & Cuffee, Y. (2021). Telehealth Interventions and Outcomes Across Rural Communities in the United States: Narrative Review. Journal of medical Internet research, 23(8), e29575. https://doi.org/10.2196/29575. Zaboli, A., Turcato, G., Brigiari, G., Massar, M., Ziller, M., Sibilio, S., & Brigo, F. (2024). Emergency Departments in Contemporary Healthcare: Are They Still for Emergencies? An Analysis of over 1 Million Attendances. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 12(23), 2426. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12232426. Place your order now for a similar assignment and get fast, affordable and best quality work written by our expert level assignment writers.Use Coupon: NEW30 to Get 30% OFF Your First Order Evidence-Based Practice Implementation: Progress Toward the Institute of Medicine’s 90% Clinical Decision Goal The National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) established an ambitious goal in 2009 that 90% of clinical decisions would be evidence-based by 2020. Current systematic reviews indicate significant implementation challenges persist, with evidence-based practice adoption remaining inconsistent across healthcare settings despite ongoing improvement efforts. Evidence-based practice (EBP) represents the gold standard for healthcare delivery, integrating the best available research
Shadow Health Focused Exam Chest Pain
Shadow Health Focused Exam Chest Pain In this assignment you will conduct a focused exam on a patient presenting with chest pain and requiring emergency intervention. Interview the patient, assess the related body systems, and then complete post-exam activities. Within the Shadow Health platform, complete Focused Exam: Chest Pain. On average, this assignment should take 75 minutes to complete. Students may need additional time. You can attempt this assignment as many times as you would like. After completing this focused exam, you will be awarded a Digital Clinical Experience (DCE) score. The DCE score will appear on your Lab Pass which you will submit to the classroom drop box. The DCE score will be used as your percentage grade for this assignment. You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Expert Answer Place your order now for a similar assignment and get fast, affordable and best quality work written by our expert level assignment writers.Use Coupon: NEW30 to Get 30% OFF Your First Order Shadow Health Focused Exam: Chest Pain – Complete Student Guide for Brian Foster Assessment The Shadow Health Focused Exam: Chest Pain featuring Brian Foster is a comprehensive digital clinical experience designed to develop nursing students’ assessment skills in cardiovascular health. This virtual simulation provides a realistic patient encounter that helps students master the critical competencies needed for chest pain evaluation in clinical practice. With chest pain being one of the most common presenting complaints in healthcare settings, mastering this assessment is crucial for nursing students. According to recent statistics, 50% of new graduate nurses said they would not recognize life-threatening complications, making thorough preparation through platforms like Shadow Health essential for practice readiness. Understanding Shadow Health Platform What is Shadow Health? Founded in Gainesville, Florida in 2011, Shadow Health claims to offer web-based clinical learning environments for students and faculty in the fields of nursing and healthcare. The platform provides Digital Standardized Patients™ (DSPs) that offer consistent, standardized learning experiences for nursing students. Platform Benefits Research shows that Shadow Health Digital Clinical Experiences™ help 82% of learners increase efficiency, with improvements in: Data collection skills Therapeutic communication Care planning abilities Clinical reasoning development Key Features Feature Description Student Benefit Digital Standardized Patients Interactive virtual patients with realistic responses Consistent learning experience Real-time Feedback Immediate assessment of performance Quick skill improvement Comprehensive Documentation Complete charting and SOAP note practice Real-world preparation Repeatable Scenarios Multiple attempts for skill mastery Enhanced confidence Brian Foster Case Overview Patient Background Brian Foster is a middle-aged male presenting with chest pain complaints in the Shadow Health simulation. This case is specifically designed to help students develop competencies in: Cardiovascular assessment techniques Pain assessment methodologies Risk factor identification Clinical reasoning skills Learning Objectives Students completing the Brian Foster chest pain focused exam will demonstrate ability to: Conduct systematic cardiovascular assessments Differentiate between cardiac and non-cardiac chest pain Perform appropriate physical examination techniques Document findings using professional healthcare terminology Develop differential diagnoses based on assessment data Complete Assessment Framework Primary Assessment Components The Shadow Health focused exam chest pain assessment follows a structured approach: 1. Chief Complaint Establishment Identify primary reason for visit Document patient’s own words Establish timeline of symptoms 2. History of Present Illness (HPI) Utilize the PQRST method for comprehensive pain assessment: Component Assessment Focus Key Questions Palliating/Provoking What makes it better/worse? Activity, rest, medications Quality How does it feel? Sharp, dull, crushing, burning Radiation/Region Where is the pain? Location, spreading patterns Severity Pain scale rating 0-10 numeric scale Timing When does it occur? Onset, duration, frequency 3. Past Medical History Previous cardiac events Surgical history Hospitalizations Current medications 4. Social History Smoking status Alcohol consumption Exercise habits Stress levels 5. Family History Cardiovascular disease Diabetes Hypertension Sudden cardiac death Subjective Data Collection Essential Interview Techniques Opening Questions Start with open-ended questions to encourage patient narrative: “Tell me about the chest pain you’ve been experiencing” “When did you first notice this discomfort?” “Describe what the pain feels like” Follow-up Questions Based on initial responses, ask specific clarifying questions: Pain Characteristics: Location: “Point to exactly where you feel the pain” Quality: “Is it sharp, dull, pressure-like, or burning?” Intensity: “On a scale of 0-10, how would you rate your pain?” Associated Symptoms: Shortness of breath Nausea or vomiting Diaphoresis (sweating) Dizziness or lightheadedness Palpitations Timing and Triggers: Relationship to physical activity Emotional stress factors Time of day patterns Duration of episodes Documentation Tips When documenting subjective findings in Shadow Health: Use patient’s exact words when possible Include negative findings (symptoms patient denies) Document pain assessment using PQRST format Note any changes in symptoms over time Objective Data Collection Systematic Physical Examination Vital Signs Assessment Parameter Normal Range Assessment Technique Blood Pressure 120/80 mmHg Both arms, appropriate cuff size Heart Rate 60-100 bpm Apical and radial pulses Respiratory Rate 12-20/min Observe chest movement Temperature 98.6°F (37°C) Oral or tympanic Oxygen Saturation >95% Pulse oximetry Cardiovascular Examination Inspection: General appearance and distress level Skin color and perfusion Jugular venous distention Chest wall abnormalities Palpation: Point of maximal impulse (PMI) Peripheral pulses (radial, brachial, carotid) Lower extremity pulses (femoral, popliteal, dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial) Chest wall tenderness Auscultation: Heart sounds (S1, S2) Additional sounds (S3, S4, murmurs) Lung sounds Carotid bruits Physical Examination Sequence General Survey Overall appearance Level of distress Positioning preference Chest Inspection Respiratory pattern Use of accessory muscles Chest wall symmetry Cardiac Assessment PMI location and character Heart rate and rhythm Heart sound quality Peripheral Assessment Pulse quality and symmetry Capillary refill Extremity temperature Common Physical Findings Normal Findings Regular heart rate and rhythm Clear lung sounds bilaterally No chest wall tenderness Equal peripheral pulses Abnormal Findings to Recognize Irregular heart rhythms Additional heart sounds Decreased breath sounds Peripheral edema Unequal pulse quality Documentation Requirements SOAP Note Structure Subjective (S) Document patient’s reported symptoms and history: Chief complaint in patient’s words History of present illness using PQRST Past medical history relevant to chest pain Social history (smoking, alcohol, exercise) Family history of cardiovascular disease Objective (O) Record measurable findings:
Benchmark – Human Experience Across the Health-Illness Continuum
Benchmark – Human Experience Across the Health-Illness Continuum Research the health-illness continuum and its relevance to patient care. In a 750-1,000-word paper, discuss the relevance of the continuum to patient care and present a holistic perspective of your current state of health in relation to the wellness spectrum by including the following: Examine the health-illness continuum and discuss why this perspective is important to consider in relation to health and the human experience when caring for patients. Explain how understanding the health-illness continuum enables you, as a health care provider, to better promote the value and dignity of individuals or groups and to serve others in ways that promote human flourishing and are consistent with the Christian worldview. Reflect on your overall state of health from a holistic perspective. Discuss what behaviors support or detract from your health, well-being, and self-care. Explain where you currently fall on the health-illness continuum. Describe how you might improve your self-care practices and overall wellness using evidence-based strategies. Discuss at least two specific options and resources available to you in your community or virtually to help you move toward wellness on the health-illness spectrum. Describe how these would assist in moving you toward wellness (managing a chronic disease, recovering from an illness, self-actualization, etc.). You are required to cite a minimum of three peer-reviewed sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the past 5 years, appropriate for the assignment criteria, and relevant to nursing practice. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion. You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance. Benchmark Information This benchmark assesses the following programmatic competency: RN-BSN 10.1: Understand the human experience across the health-illness continuum. American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education This assignment aligns to AACN Core Competencies 10.1, 2.3 ,3.1 ,4.2, 8.4. Expert Answer Human Experience Across the Health-Illness Continuum Health is a condition that exists in a continuum between perfect health and severe disease. The health-illness continuum model recognizes that to be healthy is not just to be well but to be dynamic and whole, and it reflects the interaction of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health (Tomczyk et al., 2023). The location of an individual on the continuum can change over time as he or she confronts daily challenges, and they will need special care and changes in their lifestyle. Being able to comprehend this model, healthcare providers will be able to practice a patient-centered approach that will help them promote healing and wholeness. This paper aims to cover the health-illness continuum, its applicability to patient care, and examine personal health holistically. Health-Illness Continuum and Its Significance The health-illness continuum is a theoretical approach in which health is considered a continuum, along with the highest levels of wellness at one end and death at the other. The model was first developed by John W. Travis in 1972 and focuses on the fact that people can shift in one direction or another depending on internal and external influences, such as lifestyle, environment, genetics, and healthcare interventions (Hammer et al., 2025). Such a view is critical to patient care as it would remind the patient that he or she is not healthy or sick but instead on a moving scale. This knowledge makes care more affectionate and holistic as it considers each patient’s situation and intentions. Practically, it enables the providers to customize interventions in order to enhance not just physical health but also emotional and spiritual health. It also promotes preventive care, health promotion, and continuity of care. Promoting Human Dignity and Flourishing Adopting the health-illness continuum prepares healthcare providers to respect and appreciate the dignity and worth of an individual because health is multidimensional and subjective. This model suits the Christian worldview, emphasizing compassion, human value, and service to others (Kaminsky, 2021). Through a holistic perspective of patients (taking into account the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects), healthcare professionals can be more effective in helping patients on their journey to a more well and human-flourishing state (Nilsson, 2022). The ministry of Jesus Christ was an example of healing beyond the physical body, but one that also encompasses healing of hope and dignity (Kaminsky, 2021). In the same manner, awareness of the continuum can help the providers to provide respectful care based on each patient’s story, struggles, and potential. It also creates a situation when empathy, encouragement, and empowerment are key care delivery factors. Personal Health Reflection and Self-Care In a holistic approach, my health condition is moderately balanced but can be enhanced. Physically, I have a relatively healthy lifestyle with moderate exercising and a balanced diet, but lack of consistent sleep and stress coping damages my health. On an emotional level, I am trying to be as positive as possible, though sometimes work-related tasks cause burnout. On a spiritual level, I meditate and pray, and these practices help me maintain resilience and self-peace. I would classify myself somewhere in the mid-to-high level of wellness on the health-illness continuum since I am functioning well, though not at the optimal wellness level. To improve, I will consider incorporating more evidence-based self-care plans like mindfulness meditation to lower stress levels and having a consistent sleep pattern to increase recuperation and thinking ability. Emotional and spiritual health could also be reinforced by journaling and spiritual devotionals. These habits should be consistent, and they will bring me to the high-level wellness end of the spectrum. Community and Virtual Resources Some local and virtual resources can be used to guide my journey to the ideal wellness on the health-illness continuum. The main source would be the community wellness center, which provides stress management, fitness classes, and nutrition counseling. These services are