NURS 6630 Week 1 Short Answer Assessment Assignment

NURS 6630 Week 1 Short Answer Assessment Assignment

Nervous System

  1. The nervous system is divided into two sections: the central nervous system, which is composed of the spinal cord and brain, and the peripheral nervous system, which is composed of nerves that branch off from the spinal cord and connect to different body parts. The neuron is the nervous system’s fundamental unit. The neuron is composed of several components, including nerves, the cell body, the nucleus, axons, and dendrites. Electrical impulse transmission, such as the sensation of pain, begins with the generation of an action potential in the brain or organ. The action potential is then transmitted to the neuron, axon, where it is converted to a chemical signal, followed by the release of neurotransmitters via the synapse to the next dendrite, where it is converted to an electrical signal. This process is repeated until the signal reaches the desired organ, at which point it is terminated. NURS 6630 Week 1 Short Answer Assessment Assignment
  2. The major components of subcortical structures include the basal ganglia, cerebellum and thalamus. The parts of the subcortical structures that are involved in learning and memory include cerebellum, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala. The cerebellum plays a role in

    addiction. The neurotransmitters that are located in the nigra striatal region of the brain and play the role in motor control include acetylcholine and dopamine.

  3. Glia cells play the role of maintaining homeostasis in the central nervous system. The cells form myelin and support the neurons. Glia cells also protect neurons by insulating them from one another. The other roles of glia cells include removing dead neurons and killing any pathogens that target neurons (Camprodon & Roffman, 2016). An example of homeostatic role played by glia cells in the central nervous system is buffering the chemicals and ions that are detrimental to the neurons and forming myelin sheath for the neuron that regulates the internal environment of the neuron. NURS 6630 Week 1 Short Answer Assessment Assignment
  4. Synapses are the part of the neurons that communicate with each other. Communication in neurons occurs in one direction. For example, when an action potential is generated in sensory muscle, the action potential moves from sensory neurons to the spinal cord where the information is relayed to the brain for processing. The direction of flow of information is terminated once the sensory information is acted upon in the brain through the initiation of a response. NURS 6630 Week 1 Short Answer Assessment Assignment
  5. Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the brain to change as well as adapt due to experience. Neuroplasticity exists in two types that include structural and functional neuroplasticity. Functional neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to transfer its functions from a side of brain that is damaged to undamaged region while structural plasticity is the ability of the brain to transform its physical structure due to learning. Neuroplasticity is important because it enables learning, development of cognitive abilities, and recovery from conditions such as traumatic brain injuries (Camprodon & Roffman, 2016). An example of neuroplasticity is the restoration of motor functions that had been lost following traumatic brain injury or stroke.

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References

Camprodon, J. A., & Roffman, J. L. (2016). Psychiatric neuroscience: Incorporating pathophysiology into clinical case formulation. In T. A. Stern, M. Favo, T. E. Wilens, & J. F. Rosenbaum. (Eds.), Massachusetts General Hospital psychopharmacology and neurotherapeutics (pp. 1–19). Elsevier.

Week 1: Introduction to Neuroanatomy

The human brain is organized into the cerebral cortex, brainstem, subcortical structures, and the cerebellum. These anatomical structures are made of inter-connected elements that create distributed and highly inter-connected circuits. It is in these circuits where cognition, behavior, and affect are processed.

—Camprodon, J. A., & Roffman, J. L. (2016, p. 6)

By using a combination of psychotherapy and medication therapy, psychiatric nurse practitioners (PNP) are positioned to provide a very unique type of care to patients with psychiatric disorders. To be successful in this role, you must have a strong theoretical foundation in pathophysiology, psychopharmacology, and neuroscience. This foundation will help you assess, diagnose, and treat patients as you relate presenting symptoms to theoretical neuronal functioning. NURS 6630 Week 1 Short Answer Assessment Assignment

This week, as you begin to study psychopharmacology, you will explore the basic functional unit of the nervous system, the neuron. You will review the structure of the neuron and you will examine the anatomy of the central nervous system and consider the functionality of the different structure and outward (phenotypic) expression of their activities. You will analyze these concepts as you complete your short answer assessment for this week.

Reference:
Camprodon, J. A., & Roffman, J. L. (2016). Psychiatric neuroscience: Incorporating pathophysiology into clinical case formulation. In T. A. Stern, M. Favo, T. E. Wilens, & J. F. Rosenbaum. (Eds.), Massachusetts General Hospital psychopharmacology and neurotherapeutics (pp. 1–19). Elsevier.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

  • Describe the functions and structures of the central nervous system
  • Describe the different structures that make up the neuron
  • Explain the function of neurons in intracellular communication

Learning Resources

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce) 

Camprodon, J. A., & Roffman, J. L. (2016). Psychiatric neuroscience: Incorporating pathophysiology into clinical case formulation. In T. A. Stern, M. Favo, T. E. Wilens, & J. F. Rosenbaum. (Eds.), Massachusetts General Hospital psychopharmacology and neurotherapeutics (pp. 1–19). Elsevier.

Required Media (click to expand/reduce) 

Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of Psychopathology (3m)

Optional Resources (click to expand/reduce) 

Pathopharmacology: Disorders of the Nervous System: Exploring the Human Brain

Dr. Norbert Myslinski reviews the structure and function of the human brain. Using human brains, he examines and illustrates the development of the brain and areas impacted by disorders associated with the brain. (15m)

Introduction to Advanced Pharmacology

In this media presentation, Dr. Terry Buttaro, associate professor of practice at Simmons School of Nursing and Health Sciences, discusses the importance of pharmacology for the advanced practice nurse. (6m)

Assignment

Practicum Manual Acknowledgment

The Practicum Manual describes the structure and timing of the classroom-based and practicum experiences and the policies students must follow to be successful in the nurse practitioner (NP) specialties.

  • Field Experience: MSN Nurse Practitioner Practicum Manual

Click here and follow the instructions to confirm you have downloaded and read the entire MSN Nurse Practitioner Practicum Manual and will abide by the requirements described in order to successfully complete this program.


Optional Discussion Forum: PMHNP Study Support Lounge

The PMHNP Study Support Lounge is offered throughout the course as a place of academic refuge, where you can ask questions, offer insights, and interact with your peers. Your Instructor may also weigh in to provide g lobal feedback to the group based on trends, common problems, and common strengths in student posts. NURS 6630 Week 1 Short Answer Assessment Assignment

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As a peer, you are encouraged to provide constructive, helpful feedback to your peers. Advanced practice nurses always benefit from the feedback of others. Your Study Support Lounge posts may be procedural (“How do I attach a Kaltura video to a Discussion post?”), conceptual (“How does this relate to the other therapy approaches we have studied?”), or analytical (“What do these diagnostic results actually mean in the context of this specific patient case?”). Although not mandatory, this is an opportunity to interact and study together as you navigate the assignments, so you are highly encouraged to take part in this activity. Full participation in activities like these is a statistically significant predictor of success.

To Participate in this Optional Discussion:

PMHNP Study Support Lounge

Assignment: Short Answer Assessment

As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, before you can recommend potential pharmacotherapeutics to address a patient’s condition or disorder, you must understand the basic function and structure of the neuron and central nervous system. For this Assignment, you will review and apply your understanding of neuroanatomy by addressing a set of short answer prompts.

To Prepare:

  • Review the Learning Resources for this week in preparation to complete this Assignment.
  • Reflect on the basic function and structure of the neuron in relation to the central nervous system.
  • Reflect on the inter-connectedness between neurons and the central nervous system, including the pathway and distribution of electrical impulses.
  • Reflect on how neurons communicate with each other and review the concept of neuroplasticity.

Photo Credit: Getty Images/Science Photo Libra

To complete:

Address the following Short Answer prompts for your Assignment. Be sure to include references to the Learning Resources for this week.

  1. In 4 or 5 sentences, describe the anatomy of the basic unit of the nervous system, the neuron. Include each part of the neuron and a general overview of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result at the termination of the impulse. Be specific and provide examples.
  2. Answer the following (listing is acceptable for these questions):
    • What are the major components that make up the subcortical structures?
    • Which component plays a role in learning, memory, and addiction?
    • What are the two key neurotransmitters located in the nigra striatal region of the brain that play a major role in motor control? NURS 6630 Week 1 Short Answer Assessment Assignment
  3. In 3 or 4 sentences, explain how glia cells function in the central nervous system. Be specific and provide examples.
  4. The synapse is an area between two neurons that allows for chemical communication. In 3 or 4 sentences, explain what part of the neurons are communicating with each other and in which direction does this communication occur? Be specific.
  5. In 3–5 sentences, explain the concept of “neuroplasticity.” Be specific and provide examples.
By Day 7

Submit your Assignment.

Submission and Grading Information

To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:

  • Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
  • Click the Week 1 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
  • Click the Week 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 “WK1Assgn+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:

Week 1 Assignment Rubric

Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity

To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:

Submit your Week 1 Assignment draft and review the originality report.

Submit Your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 1

To participate in this Assignment:

Week 1 Assignment

What’s Coming Up in Week 2?

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

Next week, you will examine how neurotransmitters and receptor theory may impact the function of the central nervous system. You explore medication adherence and consider how it might impact a patient’s treatment goals. NURS 6630 Week 1 Short Answer Assessment Assignment

Practicum – Upcoming Deadline

In the Nurse Practitioner programs of study (FNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, and PMHNP) you are required to take several practicum courses. If you plan on taking a practicum course within the next two terms, you will need to submit your application via Meditrek .

For information on the practicum application process and deadlines, please visit the Field Experience: College of Nursing: Application Process – Graduate web page.

Please take the time to review the Appropriate Preceptors and Field Sites for your courses.

Please take the time to review the practicum manuals, FAQs, Webinars and any required forms on the Field Experience: College of Nursing: Student Resources and Manuals web page.

  • Field Experience: College of Nursing Quick Answers
  • Field Experience: MSN Nurse Practitioner Practicum Manual
  • Student Practicum Resources: NP Student Orientation