Discussion: Women’s and Men’s Health, Infectious Disease, and Hematologic Disorders
As an advanced practice nurse, you will likely experience patient encounters with complex comorbidities. For example, consider a female patient who is pregnant who also presents with hypertension, diabetes, and has a recent tuberculosis infection. How might the underlying pathophysiology of these conditions affect the pharmacotherapeutics you might recommend to help address your patient’s health needs? What education strategies might you recommend for ensuring positive patient health outcomes?
ASSIGNMENT:
A 46-year-old, 230lb woman with a family history of breast cancer. She is up to date on yearly mammograms. She has a history of HTN. She complains of hot flushing, night sweats, and genitourinary symptoms. She had felt well until 1 month ago and she presented to her gynecologist for her annual gyn examination and to discuss her symptoms. She has a history of ASCUS about 5 years ago on her pap, other than that, Pap smears have been normal. Home medications are Norvasc 10mg qd and HCTZ 25mg qd. Her BP today is 150/90. She has regular monthly menstrual cycles. Her LMP was 1 month ago.
Post a brief description of your patient’s health needs from the patient case study you assigned. Be specific. Then (1) explain the type of treatment regimen you would recommend for treating your patient, including the choice or pharmacotherapeutics you would recommend and explain why. Be sure to justify your response. (2) Explain a patient education strategy you might recommend for assisting your patient with the management of their health needs. Be specific and provide examples.
*use at least 3 references within the last 3 years
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The prevalence of complex comorbidities amongst patients is increasing, which makes management of their health needs crucial to prevent and manage adverse outcomes. As an advanced practice nurse, it is essential to understand the underlying pathophysiology of conditions and how it affects pharmacotherapeutics recommendations. In this discussion, we will explore the impact of pathophysiology on pharmacotherapeutics and education strategies to ensure positive patient health outcomes.
Answer:
The patient in the assigned case study has hot flushing, night sweats, and genitourinary symptoms. She has a history of HTN and ASCUS, and her recent BP reading is 150/90. Based on her symptoms and history, it can be assumed that the patient is experiencing menopausal symptoms.
(1) For treating the patient, I would recommend a combination of pharmacotherapeutics and non-pharmacological treatments. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can be effective in treating menopausal symptoms. However, given the patient’s history of HTN, it is crucial to monitor her blood pressure as HRT can increase blood pressure levels. Therefore, I would recommend a low-dose estrogen patch, which is known to have a lower risk of blood clots, compared to oral HRT. Additionally, non-pharmacological treatments such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management strategies, can also help to manage menopausal symptoms.
(2) For patient education, I would recommend the patient to monitor their blood pressure daily and have regular follow-ups with the healthcare provider. The patient should also be educated on the importance of a healthy diet and regular exercise in managing HTN, as well as menopausal symptoms. Additionally, educating the patient on the potential side effects of HRT, such as blood clots, would also help them make informed decisions regarding their treatment options.
