NRNP 6552: Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care – OnlineNursingPapers

Much like archaeologists sift through sand to identify artifacts of interest, nurse practitioners must devote time and effort to interviewing patients, sifting through facts to identify relevant information that can be pieced together to create a relevant patient history. These efforts have their own unique challenges and approaches based on the characteristics of the patient, including sex, age, culture, and more.
Female patient interviews have their own unique characteristics. Sensitive matters related to sexual health, physical and/or emotional abuse, pregnancy, menstruation, and other topics may leave patients uncomfortable and create challenges to productive conversations.
For this week, you will examine the role of the patient interview in health promotion. You also will practice approaches to building a patient history by interviewing a volunteer by creating a script which you use to conduct a mock patient interview with the volunteer.
Learning Objectives
Students will:

Analyze professional interests of study
Analyze the different roles related to the a CRNP (certified registered nurse practitioner), a CNM (certified nurse midwife), and a PA (Physician Assistant)
Create scripts for taking a health history to include difficult questions
Develop patient health histories related to difficult questions

*These Learning Objectives are introduced this week and assessed in Week 2.

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)

Required Media (click to expand/reduce)

Optional Resources (click to expand/reduce)

The term ‘history” is broad in meaning. Within that broad framework archeologists tend to focus their careers on various specialties and areas of interest, such as specific historical eras or geographical areas.
So it is with nurses. Within the broad framework of healthcare, nurse practitioners focus their careers on various roles. These roles may in part be based on narrower areas of interest such as women’s health. Careers also focus on selected technical nursing specialties.

Photo Credit: Getty Images/Blend Images

For this Discussion, you will explore your professional interests and those interests are addressed in specific guidelines and competencies. You also examine the different nurse practitioner roles related to women’s health and how these roles might impact the way you work.
To prepare:

Review the modular structure of this course and reflect on how each module defines the specific skills needed as an advanced Nurse Practitioner (NP).
Review the ANA guidelines, NP competencies, and the Ethic resources found in this week’s Learning Resources and consider how they impact the work of the NP.

By Day 3
Post a brief explanation about the differences in roles related to a CRNP, a CNM, and a PA and how each of these roles might impact the how you practice as a FNP. Be specific and provide examples.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.
By Day 6
Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ posts on two different days and provide additional insight to your colleagues related to issues and topics they may want to also consider. Use the Learning Resources and/or the best available evidence from current literature to support your explanation.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 1 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 6
To Participate in this Discussion:
Week 1 Discussion

Much of an archeologist’s work is done under the mantra “proceed with caution.” Archeologists must dutifully secure permissions to access sites. They also must exercise extreme caution when excavating or analyzing in a lab to avoid potential damage to historical artifacts.
Likewise, nurse practitioners must proceed with caution when building a patient’s health history. Important questions can be difficult for both nurse and patient. Care must be taken to approach such questions with dignity, tact, and respect to create an environment conducive to productive conversations.

For this Assignment, you will develop a script to be used to interview a volunteer serving in the role of patient.
To prepare:

Review the Ewing (2004) questionnaire found in this week’s Learning Resources and consider the difficult questions you might have to ask when you take a patient’s health history.
Review the screening tools found in the Learning Resources and consider how you might use an app or tool to assist in screening.
Review the media programs related to a vaginal exam, pap test, and breast exam.
Review the health history guide presented in Chapter 7 of the Schuiling & Likis (2022) text and consider how you would create your own script for building a health history. (Note: You will also find the Health History Form in Chapter 7)
Describe the components of a complete gynecologic health history.  Include  considerations for special populations such as  LGBTQ+ individuals.
What health maintenance guidelines should be  included for initial and follow up  might be needed for follow-up assessments?  (i.e., bone density test, Gardasil vaccine, shingles, etc.)?
What questions would you consider in your patient’s assessment? For example

What is your patient’s living situation?
Do they have stairs?
Do they live by themselves?
Do they have a working refrigerator?

Create your own script for building a health history and use the Health History Template for guidance (consider the type of language you would use to help your patient be more comfortable). As you create your script, consider the difficult questions you want to include in your script.

Assignment: (1- to 2-page reflection)

In addition to your script for building a health history for this assignment, include a separate section called “Reflection” that includes the following:

A brief summary of your experiences in developing and implementing your script during your health history.
Explanations of what you might find difficult when asking these questions. What you found insightful and what would you say or do differently.

Reminder: The College of Nursing requires that all papers submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. The Sample Paper provided at the Walden Writing Center provides an example of those required elements (available at http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/57.htm). All papers submitted must use this formatting.
No Assignment submission due this week.
By Day 7 of Week 2
Submit your Module 1 Assignment by Day 7 of Week 2.

Photo Credit: [BrianAJackson]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images

Next week, you continue to explore common health screening but more specifically, how technology tools can support your screening process when working with women and/or LGBTQ+ individuals. You also examine the elements of gynecologic history and the recommended screenings.

Week 2: Knowledge Check

In Week 2, you will experience your first Knowledge Check which covers the topics from Weeks 1 and 2 of Module 1. Please refer to the Week 2 Knowledge Check Assignment for further details related to the topics covered. Plan your time accordingly.

To go to the next week:
Week 2

Archeologists do not begin their work by simply selecting a site and digging for historical finds. Their initial steps involve laying the groundwork through research to apply expertise in their historical areas of focus, combined with best practices for excavation and analysis.
Similarly, nurse practitioners do not simply develop a treatment plan for patients. They methodically construct a patient’s history and apply best practices to conduct health screenings that help inform treatment. For practitioners of women’s healthcare this means applying expertise in specialized areas such as gynecology and gynecologic history taking and screening.
For this week, you examine the elements that comprise a patient’s gynecologic history.  As part of your Module 1 assignment, you will describe elements of a complete gynecologic history.
Learning Objectives
Students will:

Analyze the elements of gynecologic history and recommended screenings for individuals (i.e., LGBTQ+)
Analyze health maintenance guidelines when conducting patient assessments
Create scripts for taking a health history to include difficult questions
Develop patient health histories related to difficult questions
Identify key terms, concepts, and principles related to the primary care of individuals, families, and communities

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)

Required Media (click to expand/reduce)

Optional Resource (click to expand/reduce)

Much of an archeologist’s work is done under the mantra “proceed with caution.” Archeologists must dutifully secure permissions to access sites. They also must exercise extreme caution when excavating or analyzing in a lab to avoid potential damage to historical artifacts.
Likewise, nurse practitioners must proceed with caution when building a patient’s health history. Important questions can be difficult for both nurse and patient. Care must be taken to approach such questions with dignity, tact, and respect to create an environment conducive to productive conversations.

For this Assignment, you will develop a script to be used to interview a volunteer serving in the role of patient.
To prepare:

Review the Ewing (2004) questionnaire found in the Week 1 Learning Resources and consider the difficult questions you might have to ask when you take a patient’s complete health history.
Review the screening tools found in the Learning Resources and consider how you might use an app or tool to assist in screening.
Review the media programs related to a vaginal exam, pap test, and breast exam.
Review the health history guide presented in Chapter 7 of the Schuiling & Likis (2022) text and consider how you would create your own script for building a complete health history. (Note: You will also find the Health History Form in Chapter 7)
Include considerations for special populations such as LGBTQ+ individuals.
What health maintenance guidelines should be included for initial and follow up might be needed for follow-up assessments? (i.e., bone density test, Gardasil vaccine, shingles, etc.)?
Create your own script for building a health history and use the Health History Template for guidance (consider the type of language you would use to help your patient be more comfortable). As you create your script, consider the difficult questions you want to include in your script. There is no sample template to provide to you. You are the one to develop the script. Think of it as you are writing a movie and you need to write the script for the movie. What lines would you provide for the actor to utilize when sitting down with a patient to perform a COMPLETE Medical History which also entails those DIFFICULT GYN questions. You do not need to provide the answers to the questions however, if you find that beneficial, you may do so.

Assignment: (1- to 2-page reflection)

In addition to your script for building a health history for this assignment, include a separate section called “Reflection” that includes the following:

A brief summary of your experiences in developing and implementing your script during your health history.
Explanations of what you might find difficult when asking these questions. What you found insightful and what would you say or do differently.

Reminder: The College of Nursing requires that all papers submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references. The Sample Paper provided at the Walden Writing Center provides an example of those required elements (available at http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/57.htm). All papers submitted must use this formatting.
By Day 7 of Week 2
Submit your Module 1 Assignment by Day 7 of Week 2.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:

Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “M1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
Click the Module 1 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
Click the Module 1 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “M1Assignment+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.

Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Module 1 Assignment Rubric
Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity
To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Module 1 Assignment draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7
To participate in this Assignment:
Module 1 Assignment

In this exercise, you will complete a 20-question Knowledge Check to gauge your understanding of this module’s content.  You will have 1 attempt for each question. Each question is worth 1 point.
Possible topics to be covered from Weeks 1 and 2:

Adult Gerontology
Women’s Health and Health Promotion
Gynecologic Health care for Sexual and Gender Minorities
Using Evidence to Support Clinical Practice
Role of women’s health NP
Gynecologic Anatomy and Physiology
Gynecologic History and Physical Exam
Gynecologic Screening and Health Maintenance
Sexual Violence
Women’s Health Care Across the Life Span
Well-Woman Exam
Osteoporosis
Tobacco Cessation

Photo Credit: kyoshino / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

By Day 7
Complete and submit your Knowledge Check.
Submission Information
Submit Your Knowledge Check by Day 7
To submit your Knowledge Check:
Module 1 Knowledge Check

Photo Credit: [BrianAJackson]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images

In Module 2, you explore important aspects of gynecologic health. You will examine common gynecologic conditions through a variety of case studies. You also will complete a Knowledge Check covering the topics from Weeks 3 through 5, and you will complete a Midterm Exam to assess your understanding of the content examined in Weeks 1 – 6 of the course.

Week 5: Knowledge Check

In Week 5, you will complete your next Knowledge Check which covers the topics from Weeks 3, 4 and 5 of Module 2. Please refer to the Week 5 Knowledge Check Assignment for further details related to the topics covered. Plan your time accordingly.

To go to the next module:
Module 2

 

Western movies often portray dusty old towns with limited available resources that include a single general store, a single saloon, and a single sheriff. Within these settings, healthcare is revealed to be the responsibility of the single town doctor.
Unlike these theatrical towns of old, most modern developed communities enjoy the luxury of diverse choices in shopping, entertainment, and more. Thankfully, this includes healthcare options that extend the concept of the “old west” town doctor to diverse specialty areas of practice, including those focused on women’s health care and wellness, such as gynecology.
For this week, you will use a case study to analyze information obtained from well-woman examinations. You also will consider and propose treatment plans for diagnoses.
Learning Objectives
Students will:

Analyze pertinent patient information obtained from a comprehensive well-woman exam
Formulate differential diagnoses
Recommend diagnostics to support differential diagnoses
Develop treatment and management plans
Develop additional questions to support patient assessments

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)

Required Media (click to expand/reduce)

Optional Resources (click to expand/reduce)

Case studies provide the opportunity to simulate realistic scenarios involving patients presenting with various health problems or symptoms. Such case studies enable nurse learners to apply concepts, lessons, and critical thinking to interviewing, screening, diagnostic approaches, as well as the development of treatment plans.

Photo Credit: Teodor Lazarev / Adobe Stock

For this Case Study Discussion, you will review a case study scenario to obtain information related to a comprehensive well-woman exam and determine differential diagnoses, diagnostics, and develop treatment and management plans.
To prepare:

By Day 1 of this week, you will be assigned to a specific case study scenario for this Discussion. Please see the “Course Announcements” section of the classroom for your case study assignment from your Instructor.
Review the Learning Resources for this week and pay close attention to the media program related to the basic microscope skills. Also, consider re-reviewing the media programs found in Week 1 Learning Resources.
Carefully review the clinical guideline resources specific to your assigned case study.
Use the Focused SOAP Note Template found in the Learning Resources to support Discussion. Complete a SOAP note and critically analyze this and focus your attention on the diagnostic tests. You are NOT to post your SOAP note. This is for your information only to help you develop your differential diagnosis and additional questions.

By Day 3
DO NOT POST A SOAP NOTE. Post your differential diagnosis. Include the additional questions you would ask the patient. Be sure to include an explanation of the tests you might recommend, ruling out any other issues or concerns and include your rationale. Be specific and provide examples. Use your Learning Resources and/or evidence from the literature to support your explanations.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.
By Day 6
Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ posts on two different days and explain how you might think differently about the types of tests you might recommend and explain why. Use your Learning Resources and/or evidence from the literature to support your position.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 3 Case Study Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 6
To Participate in this Discussion:
Week 3 Case Study Discussion

Photo Credit: [BrianAJackson]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images

Next week, you will explore common gynecologic conditions as they relate to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and contraceptive issues, as well as other conditions through a specific case study.

To go to the next week:
Week 4

Patients can present a variety of symptoms including breast or vaginal discomfort that may indicate gynecologic conditions. These conditions may range from minor and easy- to-treat infections to more serious issues related to cancer or sexually transmitted diseases.
Nurse practitioners must apply expertise and best practices to early interventions to contribute to diagnoses of issues and plans for treatments. These activities typically begin with analysis of findings from interviews and screenings.
For this week, you will practice these approaches by considering circumstances of case study. You will analyze a patient history and symptoms presented and recommend tests and treatment options.
Learning Objectives
Students will:

Identify key symptoms consistent with a medical diagnosis
Analyze the health history and presentation of a patient
Analyze patient diagnoses
Apply case-specific clinical guidelines
Recommend diagnostic tests and treatment options

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)

Optional Resource (click to expand/reduce)

Case studies provide the opportunity to simulate realistic scenarios involving patients presenting with various health problems or symptoms. Such case studies enable nurse learners to apply concepts, lessons, and critical thinking to interviewing, screening, and diagnostic approaches, as well as to the development of treatment plans.

Photo Credit: Teodor Lazarev / Adobe Stock

For this Case Study Discussion, you will once again review a case study scenario to obtain information related to a comprehensive well-woman exam and determine differential diagnoses, diagnostics, and develop treatment and management plans.
To prepare:

By Day 1 of this week, you will be assigned to a specific case study scenario for this Discussion. Please see the “Course Announcements” section of the classroom for your assignment from your Instructor.
Review the Learning Resources for this week and specifically review the clinical guideline resources specific to your assigned case study.
Use the Focused SOAP Note Template found in the Learning Resources to support your Discussion. Complete a SOAP note and critically analyze this and focus your attention on the diagnostic tests. You are NOT to post your SOAP note. This is for your information only to help you develop your differential diagnosis and additional questions.

By Day 3
DO NOT POST A SOAP NOTE. Post your primary diagnosis. Include the additional questions you would ask the patient and explain your reasons for asking the additional questions. Then, explain the types of symptoms you would ask. Be specific and provide examples. (Note: When asking questions, consider sociocultural factors that might influence your question decisions.)
Based on the preemptive diagnosis, explain which treatment options and diagnostic tests you might recommend. Use your Learning Resources and/or evidence from the literature to support your recommendations.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.
By Day 6
Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ posts on two different days and explain how you might think differently about the types of diagnostic tests you would recommend and explain your reasoning. Use your Learning Resources and/or evidence from the literature to support your position.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 4 Case Study Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 6
To Participate in this Discussion:
Week 4 Case Study Discussion

Photo Credit: [BrianAJackson]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images

Next week, you will continue to explore common gynecologic conditions as they relate to reproductive health issues as well as other conditions.
Specifically, for next week’s Discussion, you will propose a case study scenario for instructor approval. Please review the Week 5 Discussion instructions and be ready to submit your proposed case study scenario by Day 1 of Week 5. Plan your time accordingly.

Week 5: Knowledge Check

In Week 5, you will complete your next Knowledge Check which covers the topics from Weeks 3, 4 and 5 of Module 2. Please refer to the Week 5 Knowledge Check Assignment for further details related to the topics covered. Plan your time accordingly.

To go to the next week:
Week 5