Grand Canyon University, PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care

PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Week one

Based on the required topic study materials, write a reflection about worldview and respond to following:

1. In 250-300 words, explain the Christian perspective of the nature of spirituality and ethics in contrast to the perspective of postmodern relativism within health care.
2. In 250-300 words, explain what scientismis and describe two of the main arguments against it. PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care
3. In 750-1,000 words, answer each of the worldview questions according to your own personal perspective and worldview:
   1. What is ultimate reality?
   2. What is the nature of the universe?
   3. What is a human being?
   4. What is knowledge?
   5. What is your basis of ethics?
   6. What is the purpose of your existence?

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Remember to support your reflection with the topic study materials.

While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be 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. PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

RUBRIC

Due Date: 15-Mar-2020 at 11:59:59 PM

Maximum Points: 100.0

Ethical and spiritual decision making in health care

Part 1: Explain the Christian perspective of the nature of spirituality and ethics in contrast to the perspective of postmodern relativism within health care

Christianity offers a religious perspective on the nature of ethics and spirituality. It contends that spirituality is the religious and theological prism that explains the notion of God in terms of who, what and how. God is perceived as the eternal and all-powerful being above everything and everyone. With the understanding of God as a concept, Christians have developed belief systems that are presented in the Bible. These belief systems explain the purpose of human life, and the truth as well as the meaning of life. With this awareness, humans can pursue and achieve a transcendent state for all life experiences. This means that even as humans make choices about life, spirituality ensures that they remaining grounded in following God’s guidance. PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care. In addition, it makes Christian more accepting of life since there is the acceptance that God guides all fate and anything that happens must have been permitted by God, whether good or bad. As such, spirituality takes on theological and symbolic functions (Igboin, 2015). Besides that, Christians view ethics as making a decision based on God’s instructions as presented in the Bible. They rely on spirituality to conform to God’s expectation without room for ambiguity. The Christian perspective of spirituality and ethics have implications for health care through guiding with decision-making by setting boundaries for accepting choices/options when making decisions. They are particularly focused on lessening human suffering, augmenting wellbeing, and restoring life (Igboin, 2015).

Postmodern relativism presents a more liberal understanding of spirituality, arguing that there is no absolute truth. It is ambiguous when arguing that God may or may not exist with either one of the options being a possibility. Similarly, with regards to ethics, postmodern relativism contents that contrasting ethical arguments could be valid or invalid with no absolute truth. The implication is that no single argument should be discarded simply because it is contradictory. The postmodern relativism perspective is particularly useful to health care since it supports multicultural care delivery through accepting diversity. With this awareness, medical personnel would acknowledge that they do not have a monopoly on the truth about spirituality and ethics, and that obscure cultures should not be ignored (Zavada, 2019).

Part 2: Explain what scientism is and describe two of the main arguments against it

Scientism contends that hard sciences are the only true source of absolute truths and genuine knowledge thus positioning them to offer superior scientific knowledge. It identifies hard sciences as the subjects relying on experimentation and laws of nature to include physics, biology and physics. The hard sciences rely on factual, replicable and testable data thus making their results reliable. Unlike hard sciences, soft sciences are considered as pseudosciences that present guesses and conjectures that are subject to change that may not be replicable thus making them inferior to hard science. The distinction between hard and soft sciences is based on the perceived value of the information they provide. PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care. Hard sciences offer more valuable information since they rely on objective skepticism, experimentation, and falsification to offer explanatory principles. On the other hand, soft sciences rely on subjectivism thereby presenting opportunities for influences from human nature such that it is not uncommon to have contrasting ideas for the same principle (Moreland, 2018). In this respect, scientism identifies hard sciences as having greater intellectual authority over real knowledge when compared to soft sciences.

There are two main arguments offered against scientism. Firstly, hard sciences do not offer absolute truths and facts since they are restructured by the current understanding of the environment and measuring instruments. Things that were previously thought of as absolute truths in hard sciences are not subject to change as new information is presented. This means that information presented by both soft and hard sciences are subject to change over time. Secondly, hard sciences have adopted a tyrannical approach that is over-reliant on rationalism while disregarding personal opinion. These tyrannical approaches end up stifling willful thought that is important for discovering new information, and yet this is important for advancing science. Soft sciences have adopted a more accepting approach that allows for willful thought (Briggs, 2019).

Part 3.

(a) What is ultimate reality?

Ultimate reality is the belief that every individual is the product of interactions with the environment. I am the product of nurture, and my environment determines how I develop into a person. My family, neighborhood, community, city, state, government and other environmental factors have all influenced my development through determining my values, mannerism and thought processes. For instance, I would be more accepting of polygamy if I were a Muslim and less accepting if I were a Christian since the two religious principles differ on their perceptions of number of partners in a valid marriage. As such, ultimate reality looks at how experience affects reasons as well as decision-making and life perceptions. PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care.

(b) What is the nature of the universe?

The nature of the universe is that it is always experiencing change with the most basic change being time. The universe relies on energy to drive the change with the extent and direction of change relying on the prioritization processes determined by competition, extinction, evolution, and energy conversion. Competition involves struggle to acquire the scarce energy resources. Extinction involves removal of components that are unable to compete either through direct competition or disaster events. Evolution involves adapting to environmental changes that allow for a better fit. Energy conversion involves changes between the different forms of energy that begins with solar energy being captured by plants.

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(c) What is a human being?

A human being can be defined from two perspectives. The first definition is from the religious perspective that identifies God as the creator of human beings. The Christian story of creation advances that humans were created by God in his image with the intention of them to procreate and do his will that includes taking care of other creations and following the Ten Commandments. The second definition is from the biological perspective that identifies humans as products of evolution who have selectively adapted to develop higher thought processes that allows them to adapt the environment to their needs. The higher thought process has allowed humans to develop complex languages and vocabulary, technology and clothes that allow them to use the environment beyond their physical capabilities.

(d) What is knowledge?

Knowledge refers to the unique sets of facts, information, and skills that an individual cognitively acquires through experience and education. Experience involves practice to familiarize with knowledge while education involves attending formal and informal processes to acquire theoretical knowledge. Knowledge allows individuals to have capacity thought processes. For instance, an individual knowledgeable in engineering is able to successfully manage a construction project while an individual knowledgeable in medicine is able to diagnose and treat ailments.

(e) What is your basis of ethics?

My perception of ethics is based on two concepts. The first concept is personal opinion, beliefs and awareness to determine moral right and wrong. This is based on what the environment has taught me. For instance, I personally believe that every person should do honest work to earn a living, and that stealing is wrong. Regardless of my environment and laws, I would find it difficult to steal. The second concept is public principles and beliefs. Although I may have personal beliefs, they may not necessarily match the public beliefs that are determined through public discussions and consensus. For instance, there are ethical principles on how to handle private information within the professional environment, and regardless of my personal beliefs, I am expected to follow the principles. The two concepts interact to determine how I handle ethical situations.

(f) What is the purpose of your existence?

I have two purposes for existing. My first purpose is to procreate and bring up future generations. This includes getting married, having children, working to earn money, and meeting the needs of my family. Also, it includes taking care of my environment so that my future generations do not suffer for my mistakes. My second purpose is to fulfil God’s will through observing religious principles such as observing the Ten Commandments, and acting in good conscious. I believe that I was created by God to serve, and I only have value for as long as I serve.  As such, my purpose is to procreate, present a better world for future generations, and fulfil God’s will.

References

Briggs, W. (2019). In opposition to scientism. Retrieved from https://wmbriggs.com/post/26885/

Igboin, B. (2015). Spirituality and medical practice: a Christian perspective. Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, 12(4). DOI: 10.20529/IJME.2015.054. Retrieved from http://ijme.in/articles/spirituality-and-medical-practice-a-christian-perspective/?galley=html PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care

Moreland, J. (2018). What is scientism? Retrieved from https://www.crossway.org/articles/what-is-scientism/

Zavada, J. (2019). Postmodernism definition. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-postmodernism-700692

 

PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Week 2

Based on “Case Study: Fetal Abnormality” and other required topic study materials, write a 750-1,000-word reflection that answers the following questions:

1. What is the Christian view of the nature of human persons, and which theory of moral status is it compatible with? How is this related to the intrinsic human value and dignity?
2. Which theory or theories are being used by Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson to determine the moral status of the fetus? What from the case study specifically leads you to believe that they hold the theory you selected?
3. How does the theory determine or influence each of their recommendations for action?
4. What theory do you agree with? Why? How would that theory determine or influence the recommendation for action?

Remember to support your responses with the topic study materials.

While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be 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. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

RUBRIC

Attempt Start Date: 16-Mar-2020 at 12:00:00 AM

Due Date: 22-Mar-2020 at 11:59:59 PM

Maximum Points: 200.0

Ethical and spiritual decision making

1. What is the Christian view of the nature of human persons, and which theory of moral status is it compatible with? How is this related to the intrinsic human value and dignity?

The Christian view advances that God created the universe and everything within it. The creation of humans was not arbitrary, and instead it was purposeful with humans being the perfect image of God. This explains why humans have the capacity for higher thought and enjoy dominion over all other creations. Within this purposeful creation, every creation (including humans) has an intrinsic value. God’s purpose was that every creation should enjoy perfect justice and live. The purpose of creating human beings was to serve and love God in order to bring about the glorious creation plan. The Christian faith proclaims that all human life is sacred, and that the intrinsic dignity in every person is the foundation of the ethical/moral vision for the human society. The implication is that every human being has intrinsic value by virtue of being a human created by God. This value is not conferred by humans. Rather, it is a quality prior to being human (Heinrichs, Oser & Lovat, 2013).

The Christian view on the nature of human persons is aligned with Kantian Ethics, which postulates that human dignity is a status that humans enjoy simply by being humans, and it places the life of humans above all other creations. The implication is that it is an obligation placed on humans to recognize the status of other humans and respect that status as the foundation for all acts of justice (Potter et al., 2018).

1. Which theory or theories are being used by Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson to determine the moral status of the fetus? What from the case study specifically leads you to believe that they hold the theory you selected?

The four individuals apply different theories when determining the moral status of the fetus. Firstly, Maria applied the Divine Command Theory when she makes her arguments. She is insistent that God exists and asks Jessica to join her in prayer even as she engages the prayer services of a priest through the phone. In essence, she believes in the existence of God and that there is a divine plan which humans only need to follow as part of God’s will. Also, she believes that every life has value and even the unborn fetus is a life that should enjoy the same rights as other persons. Her belief in God’s will guides her in advising Jessica to keep the pregnancy. As such, Maria bases the status of the fetus on the Christian perspective and believes in doing as God commanded with regards to respecting all life and not killing (Gensler, 2016).

Secondly, Jessica applied Ethical Egoism Theory. The theory allows her to focus on pursuing self-interests. She is worried about her financial situation and feels that she is not ready for the responsibility of taking care of a baby. She is interested in achieving financial stability, and adding an unplanned child would end up derailing her plans through adding to her expenses. Given that she is interested in achieving financial stability, she believes that her best option is to get rid of the fetus so as not to add to her expenses (Gensler, 2016).

Thirdly, Marco applied Virtue Ethics Theory. He bases his ideas of right and wrong on the people around him. He is seeking to do good by Jessica, understands that the child will derail her plans. He is keen on protecting Jessica and feels that bad news should been presented when she is well prepared to receive such news in order to reduce the shock. He is keen on protecting his wife and meeting her needs, and appears less concerned about whether or not the child lives (Gensler, 2016).

Fourthly, Dr. Wilson applied Kantian Ethical Theory. His idea of right and wrong is based on rational thought whereby she applies a cost-benefit analysis to determine the best decision. As a doctor, he understands his position as an impartial party who has a professional duty and obligation to present accurate and truthful information to the patients to allow them make the best decisions. He is keen on presenting the family with comprehensive information ot allow them make informed decisions about the fetus (Gensler, 2016).

1. How does the theory determine or influence each of their recommendations for action?

The ethical theories applied have influenced the decisions that each one of the four individuals made. Maria applied the Divine Command Theory, and this influenced her to rely on God’s instructions. She seeks interpretation of God’s instructions from a priest and prays in order to get guidance. She believes that Jessica’s pregnancy is the will of God and that she should never consider a termination. Jessica’s recommendations are guided by Ethical Egoism Theory. She has objectives and is keen on pursuing them. She looks at the fetus as a stumbling block in the pursuit of her personal objectives, and believes that she is best served by eliminating the stumbling block. Marco’s recommendations are guided by Virtue Ethics Theory. He is keen on supporting Jessica in pursuing her dreams, and does not want to distress her. He recommends that Jessica should be informed about the case at a time when she has been well primed to receive the information without suffering a shock. Dr. Wilson’s recommendations are guided by Kantian Ethical Theory. He accepts his professional responsibilities as a physician and recommends that the family should make an informed decision after acquiring and evaluating all the information pertaining to the case (Gensler, 2016).

1. What theory do you agree with? Why? How would that theory determine or influence the recommendation for action?

I agree with Kantian Ethical Theory. Maria, Jessica and Marco make recommendations without first collecting all the information. This implies that they did not make informed recommendations. Kantian ethics requires that they first collect all the information pertaining to the case, and that they should always respect human life. Whichever decision the family makes, it is only right that the decision should be made after evaluating all the associated information.

References

Gensler, H. (2016). Ethics and religion. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

Heinrichs, K., Oser, F. & Lovat, T. (2013). Handbook of moral motivation: theories, models, and applications. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.

Potter, P., Perry, A., Stockert, P., Hall, A. & Castaldi, P. (2018). Study guide for essentials for nursing practice. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Week 3

This assignment will incorporate a common practical tool in helping clinicians begin to ethically analyze a case. Organizing the data in this way will help you apply the four principles of principlism.

Based on the “Case Study: Healing and Autonomy” and other required topic study materials, you will complete the “Applying the Four Principles: Case Study” document that includes the following:

Part 1: Chart 

This chart will formalize principlism and the four-boxes approach by organizing the data from the case study according to the relevant principles of biomedical ethics: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice.

Part 2: Evaluation

This part includes questions, to be answered in a total of 500 words, that describe how principalism would be applied according to the Christian worldview.

Remember to support your responses with the topic study materials.

APA style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

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AttachmentsPHI-413V-RS-T3ApplyingFourPrinciplesCaseStudy.docx

Attempt Start Date: 23-Mar-2020 at 12:00:00 AM

Due Date: 29-Mar-2020 at 11:59:59 PM

Maximum Points: 150.0

Applying the Four Principles: Case Study

Part 1: Chart (60 points)

Based on the “Healing and Autonomy” case study, fill out all the relevant boxes below. Provide the information by means of bullet points or a well-structured paragraph in the box. Gather as much data as possible.

 

Medical Indications Beneficence and Nonmaleficence	Patient Preferences Autonomy
·         James is suck and suffers from an acute case of kidney failure. ·         His care was delayed as his parents relied on faith and took him away from hospital. ·         His condition has worsened following the delayed treatment. ·         He requires regular dialysis in order to continue surviving. ·         He requires a healthy kidney transplant in order to conclusively address his condition with no reoccurrence or continued kidney difficulties. ·         James’ twin brother (Samuel) could be an ideal organ transplant match, and could be a donor for the transplant surgery.	·         James getting well so that his kidney is no longer diseased. ·         Rely on the power of religious faith to heal James, and not rely on medical treatment. ·         Not having to harvest the organ from Samuel for James. PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care
Quality of Life Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Autonomy	Contextual Features Justice and Fairness
·         James’ situation appears grim since he currently relies on regular dialysis and will continue this reliance unless he can get a healthy kidney transplant. ·         His condition initially loosened but has stabilized following the regular dialysis. ·         His parents feel it is appropriate to consult him on whether to explore the surgery option and if Samuel can be considered as a donor since they feel that he has a say in the issue, and their previous decision to withdraw him from treatment worsened the medical condition.	·         The parents are questioning their decisions, and whether it caused the medical condition to worsen. ·         The parents are questioning if their faith was not enough or if they were meant to seek medical treatment for James and that their procrastination had worsened the condition. ·         They are exploring the possibility of faith working, and are continuing with faith-based approaches alongside medical intervention.

 

 

Part 2: Evaluation

Answer each of the following questions about how principlism would be applied:

1. In 200-250 words answer the following: According to the Christian worldview, which of the four principles is most pressing in this case? Explain why. (45 points)

According to the Christian worldview, the most pressing principle in the present case is medical indication. James is in a precarious situation. His medical condition has worsened and he has become increasingly reliant on regular dialysis. He can only get off the dialysis by receiving a kidney transplant. He is likely to die if he stops receiving dialysis and does not get a healthy kidney. The Bible supports this view by indicating that the most important value for any Christian is to love himself/herself and to love others with the same measure. In this case, love applies to meeting all the associated needs of the individual, a value that every Christian must apply. For that matter, loving an individual involves providing the basic needs that include food, clothing, shelter and medical care. For the persons who are without food, loving them implies providing food, and for those who are sick, loving them involving relieving the sickness. James is sick and loving him would involve providing healing, something that could only proceed after medical indication. The medical facility and personnel are specifically prepared to determine and provide James’ health care needs. PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care. This means that it is present that have James follow the advice offered by medical personnel who are uniquely primed to provide the healing he needs. Providing medical care implies loving James as indicated in the Bible (James 5:14, KJV). Besides that, Jesus Christ was a healer in the Bible, and there are stories of him healing the sick. This validates medical care as it can be argued that since Christ was a physician, then medicine should be accepted by Christians (Mark 8:2, KJV; Matthew 25:36, KJV). In addition, the Bible asks that Christians provide relief for everyone who is suffering. James is suffering with failing kidney and there is a high possibility of his condition worsening if he does not receive the appropriate medical care. Receiving medical care will alleviate his diseased condition, relieve the suffering, and provide healing (Matthew 25:40, KJV). Overall, the most pressing principle is medical indication since there is a need to understanding James’ health condition and provide the appropriate healing.

2. In 200-250 words answer the following: According to the Christian worldview, how might a Christian rank the priority of the four principles? Explain why. (45 points)

According to the Christian worldview, medical indication should be prioritized among the four principles. The Christian religion attaches much importance to compassion and love, especially for the vulnerable persons who are unable to take care of themselves and need care from others. Christianity does not allow for unnecessary suffering, something that must be controlled since James is experiencing unnecessary suffering. James has failing kidneys and they are causing him to suffer unnecessarily, and yet medical care can alleviate his condition (Matthew 22:39, KJV; 1 John 4:7, KJV). The second principle in the order of priority is the quality of life. James is heavily dependent on dialysis to continue surviving. This implies that he has a low quality of life and he could lose his life if the situation continues. Christians have an obligation to apply proportional measures to improve the quality of life of those who are sick and suffering (Igboin, 2015). Although Christianity allows for suffering as a part of life, it does not allow for unnecessary suffering. Just means should always be used to relieve unnecessary suffering. Life is given by God and it is right that James suffering should be relieved. Using medical care is a just means for relieving James’ suffering and improving his quality of life. The third principle in the order of priority is patient preference. James must always be allowed to make decisions involving his life. Christianity advocates for freewill, and states that every person will be judged for his/her actions. The decision about medical care should be left to James with the appropriate advice provided so that he is enabled to make an informed decision (Carden, 2013; Newton, 2015). The fourth principle in the order of priority is contextual features. That is because they inform the prevailing situation. Irrespective of whether or not questions about faith are presented, the situation demands that an urgent decision be made about James’ care. He is suffering and needs medical attention in order to alleviate his situation. The medical personnel can only offer advice and information to facilitate informed decision making *Heinrichs, Oser & Lovat, 2013). PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care.

 

References:

Carden, P. (2013). Rose Bible basics: Christianity, cults & religion (7^th ed.). Carson, CA: Rose Publishing Inc.

Heinrichs, K., Oser, F. & Lovat, T. (2013). Handbook of moral motivation: theories, models, and applications. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.

Igboin, B. (2015). Spirituality and medical practice: a Christian perspective. Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, 12(4). DOI: 10.20529/IJME.2015.054

Newton, J. (2015). The revelation worldview: apocalyptic thinking in a postmodern world. Eugene, OR: WIPF & STOCK.

PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Week 4

The practice of health care providers at all levels brings you into contact with people from a variety of faiths. This calls for knowledge and understanding of a diversity of faith expressions; for the purpose of this course, the focus will be on the Christian worldview.

Based on “Case Study: End of Life Decisions,” the Christian worldview, and the worldview questions presented in the required topic study materials you will complete an ethical analysis of George’s situation and his decision from the perspective of the Christian worldview. PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care

Provide a 1,500-2,000-word ethical analysis while answering the following questions:

1. How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an emphasis on the fallenness of the world?
2. How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an emphasis on the hope of resurrection?
3. As George contemplates life with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), how would the Christian worldview inform his view about the value of his life as a person?
4. What sorts of values and considerations would the Christian worldview focus on in deliberating about whether or not George should opt for euthanasia?
5. Based on the values and considerations above, what options would be morally justified in the Christian worldview for George and why?
6. Based on your worldview, what decision would you make if you were in George’s situation?

Remember to support your responses with the topic study materials.

Prepare this PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is required.

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. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

RUBRIC

Attempt Start Date: 30-Mar-2020 at 12:00:00 AM

Due Date: 05-Apr-2020 at 11:59:59 PM

Maximum Points: 200.0

Ethical and spiritual decision making in health care

Death is an inevitable event to all biological life, to include humans. For whatever reason, whether intentional, accidental and logical progression, all biological life must come to an end thereby completing the process that began at conception. Still, medical sciences have made significant advances that have changed the traditional concept of death such that interventions are now available for prolonging life and enabling continued life where previously death would have been the inevitable outcome. In fact, end of life care has changed the concept of death through intervening to support the biological systems and allow for continued life in the face of terminal illness, although it incurs significant costs and lowers the quality of life. This state of affairs (the medical advances) has created a unique situation in which individuals faced with death now have the opportunity to access medical care that prolongs their lives (Ferngen, 2014). Although the advances in medical sciences have presented opportunities for prolonging life, they simply slow down the process of death and do not offer a promise of recovery since it typically involves patients being connected to machines that replace the defective body systems to do their functions. For instance, a dialysis machine doing the function of a kidney with regular dialysis required or else the toxins build up in the body and cause death. This creates a situation in which the quality of life is lowered, not to talk of the associated costs of care, thereby raising the question over when life should be discontinued even if life prolong measures are available. This is a situation that patients receiving end of life care typically face as they decide between foregoing treatment and dying or prolonging their lives using medical technologies so that their quality of life is lowered and they have to pay high medical costs (Ruggiero, 2015). The present analysis discusses the ethical and religious implications of end of life options available to terminally ill patients. PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care.

1. How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an emphasis on the fallenness of the world?

The Christian narrative is very accepting of suffering as a necessary trial for every person. These trials (sufferings) are intended to determine who is worthy of one day joining Jesus and God in paradise. Acts 14:22 (KJV) makes it clear that all Christians must confirm their faith by facing tribulations as a necessary test for getting into the Kingdom of God. The implication is that a Christian must be accepting of suffering, irrespective of the form that it takes. To suffer is the reality of the world and acts as an acknowledgement that the world is flawed, unlike paradise that has no suffering. While living in the world, Christians must accept tears, pain, mourning and death as a part of their tribulations. Revelations 21:4 (KJV) states that the only way through which Christians can escape the suffering is to be accepted by God upon death and go into paradise where will live forever and not experience any more tears, pain, mourning and death. This means that Christians must accept suffering as a part of their life on earth, and that it is not random or without purpose. Rather, suffering is intended to temper them as an earthly experience that redeems their physical bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (KJV) adds words of encouragement that although Christians suffer on earth, they have not been forsaken and should neither question the suffering nor be in despair since it serves God’s purpose. Besides that, all suffering will be within bearable levels as a test and not punishment since God will always be there to offer comfort in our time of need (Job 2:9-10, KJV; 2 Corinthians 1:4, KJV). Overall, it becomes clear that suffering is a test permitted by God and intended to temper Christians and make them worthy of God’s mercy and favor. As a transient state that passes over time and lasts for as long as we are in this world, Chreistians should be more accepting of the suffering as a reflection of the fallenness of the world even as it prepared them for a life after death in paradise where they will not experience suffering again.

2. How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an emphasis on the hope of resurrection?

In light of the Christian narrative, George would interpret his suffering as a fulfilment of God’s word. The bible verses discussed in the Christian narrative show that suffering is a test to identify those who will enjoy a life without suffering in paradise after death. Despite God’s best intentions for creating Adam and Eve and placing them in the Garden of Eden, they ended up rebelling and bringing sin to the rest of their descendants who include all humans. This means that every person is born with sin. As a punishment and test, God decided that humans would suffer and their performance during the times of tribulation would determine those who would receive forgiveness for their sins and get to enjoy life in paradise after death (Genesis 2:17, KJV) PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care. Suffering is unavoidable, and should be perceived as a test and reminder that life on earth is transient and we need to obey God’s word in order to enjoy eternal life in heaven. As a Christian, George should accept the suffering as a test from God. He should know that by going through the suffering, he becomes worth of God’s mercy and favor, and will enjoy life in paradise after death (Chryssides & Geaves, 2014).

3. As George contemplates life with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), how would the Christian worldview inform his view about the value of his life as a person?

As George contemplates life with ALS, the Christian worldview would inform him that life is without price and only God has the right to assign any value to life. All humans were created by God in his image, with life being given as a gift when God breathed life into Adam as the first created human (Genesis 1:26-27, KJV; Genesis 2:7, KJV). This implies that life is a favor from God, and we life by God’s grace and mercy. Job 34:14 (KJV) explains this by indicating that no being has the right to take human life except God who gave life and can withdraw breath. By extension, all life belongs to God so that every person is simply a steward of the life given by God and that will be returned to God upon death. As such, George can be considered as the steward of his life that was given by God. As a steward, he should take care of the life given by God and should never contemplate cutting that life short. Besides that, any death resultant from intentional actions, carelessness or negligence will be punished by God. This is explained in the Ten Commandments where God commands that there shall be no killing (Exodus 20:13, KJV). Any person who takes a life without just cause will in turn lose a life (Exodus 21:14, KJV). As such, George should make the best of his life with the present medical technologies and should not contemplate taking his life since it is a gift from God.

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4. What sorts of values and considerations would the Christian worldview focus on in deliberating about whether or not George should opt for euthanasia?

Physical suffering is inevitable for all humans, a result of the original sin by Adam and Eve. Every Christian should perceive suffering as a test. George should similarly look at his suffering as a test that will allow him get into paradise should he pass. Besides that, George should perceive his life as invaluable and that he is only a steward taking care of the gift of life given by God. As a result, he must carry on with his life and never intentionally look for ways to shorten his life. 1 Samuel 31:3-5 (KJV) specifically talks of euthanasia. It talks of King Saul who was fatally wounded and suffering. He sought to have his life shortened in order to escape posing suffering and humiliation from his enemies. However, his armor bearer refused to take his life as he respected the commandments of God. The armor bearer understood that life is a gift from God and should not be taken lightly even in the midst of suffering. Although Saul faced greater suffering and humiliation, this was a test from God that he should have borne as a Christian. This makes it clear that regardless of the situation that George faces with his ALS, he should never contemplate euthanasia under any circumstance.

5. Based on the values and considerations above, what options would be morally justified in the Christian worldview for George and why? PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care

God gave humans life as a gift and has clear instructions that life should be respected. In addition, God lets humans suffer as a test of their faith and in preparation for a better life in paradise. As such, George should guard the life given to him by God and go through his suffering with ALS by considering it as a test. Choosing the easy option of taking his life is not only unjustified, but also violates God’s instructions. Given this awareness, the morally justified decision for George would be to continue receiving treatment and bear the suffering until his life ends from natural causes, or until he is cured.

6. Based on your worldview, what decision would you make if you were in George’s situation?

As a Christian and based on my worldview, I would opt to continued seeking treatment. Although I have not borne the pain and indignity of ALS, but I believe that no person will ever be exposed to suffering that he or she cannot bear. God is watching over us and always guides our lives so that whatever suffering we experience is moderated. God’s love cannot be taken for granted. As such, the only option for me as a Christian is to continue receiving treatment and explore medical technologies for ways to relieve the suffering. I would never contemplate suicide as an option since this would bar me from entering paradise.

References

Chryssides, G. & Geaves, R. (2014). The study of religion: an introduction to key ideas and methods (2^nd ed.). New York, NY: Bloomsbury Academic.

Ferngren, G. (2014). Medicine and religion: a historical introduction. Baltimore, MD: John Hopkins University Press

Ruggiero, V. (2015). Thinking critically about ethical issues (9^th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care Week 5 Benchmark – Patient’s Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis

Benchmark – Patient’s Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis

In addition to the topic study materials, use the chart you completed and questions you answered in the Topic 3 about “Case Study: Healing and Autonomy” as the basis for your responses in this assignment.

Answer the following questions about a patient’s spiritual needs in light of the Christian worldview.

1. In 200-250 words, respond to the following: Should the physician allow Mike to continue making decisions that seem to him to be irrational and harmful to James, or would that mean a disrespect of a patient’s autonomy? Explain your rationale. PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care
2. In 400-500 words, respond to the following: How ought the Christian think about sickness and health? How should a Christian think about medical intervention? What should Mike as a Christian do? How should he reason about trusting God and treating James in relation to what is truly honoring the principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence in James’s care?
3. In 200-250 words, respond to the following: How would a spiritual needs assessment help the physician assist Mike determine appropriate interventions for James and for his family or others involved in his care?

Remember to support your responses with the topic study materials.

While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be 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 PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

Benchmark Information

This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competencies:

BS in Health Sciences 1.2; BS Nursing (RN to BSN ) 5.2

Assess for the spiritual needs and provide appropriate interventions for individuals, families, and groups.

RUBRIC

Attempt Start Date: 06-Apr-2020 at 12:00:00 AM

Due Date: 12-Apr-2020 at 11:59:59 PM

Maximum Points: 200.0

When parents apply religious beliefs concerning preferences for prayer, faith healing, or spiritual healing over conventional medical care for children, concerns occur. Medical care is one of the basic needs but parents might choose to apply religious beliefs over modern medical treatments for their children. The paper examines a case involving a parental delay of medical treatment and chose spiritual healing and provides insights into how the parents sought to have done in the light of the Christian worldview.

Allowing or not mike continue making irrational decisions

The physician, as James’ health care provider, should not have permitted Mike to go on making decisions that seem unreasonable. Even though the physician should respect the decisions that parents make concerning the care that their child should receive, the physician ethically and legally bound to intervene in situations where parents make decisions that are harmful to the health of their child.   James’ parents forgone dialysis and sought spiritual healing whereby James was not healed and his condition worsened   According to Shaul (2014), if the risks of doing away with treatment were less serious, the physician can the  James parents’ treatment refusal.    However, if the illness is seriously threatening the child’s health and the parents are refusing available effective treatment, then the physician has an ethical and legal obligation to seek state intervention.   As indicated by McDougall and Notini (2014), a health care provider has an ethical justification to seek state intervention when the decision of the parents considerably increases the probability of serious damage.   For a health professional to consider the utilization of state involvement to require medical care over the objections of parents, the refusal for medical treatment puts the child at a high risk of grave harm, the harm is impending, and the refused treatment is essential to avert the harm.

How a Christian ought to think about health and sickness

A Christian should think about health as a reward for doing good deeds and illness as a reward for bad deeds.  God created a perfect world and saw all the things that were in it as good (Genesis 1:31).  God then created a woman and a man and place them in a good world. PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care. However, they sinned by disobeying God. After sinning, numerous things took place; they left the ideal place of God, and death came into the world. Therefore, from a Christian worldview, illness is an outcome of sin getting into the world. People no longer live in the ideal world that God created, and that is why there is an illness in the world.

A Christian should think that medical intervention is a way of respecting Gods command. The Bible in Matthew 9:12 talks about the sick people needing a physician and healthy people not requiring a physician. There is no anywhere in the Bible where God tells people not to seek medical treatment. In fact, medical knowledge is God’s gift.  God calls people into a diverse vocation in order for their strengths to be utilized to care for other people and bring glory to him. For instance, God calls individuals to be doctors. More importantly, Luke, a writer of the Gospel was a physician. Jesus seemed to understand that doctors could use medical interventions to heal people.

As a Christian, Mike should permit James to undergo the recommended kidney transplant while praying that God will use health care providers to cure his son. Mike should not only depend on prayers to treat James’ illness that is reliably treated via modern medicine. He should see that God calls health care providers to serve others via medicine and these individuals as an answer to his prayer.  So, Mike should use his faith and seek medical intervention via medical professionals whom God has offered for James’ healing.

Mike should trust that God is using medical professionals to heal James and pray to God to provide these professionals with understanding and discernment into his Child’s treatment. In honoring the principle of beneficence and non-maleficence, Mike should see that by delaying dialysis, the condition of James worsened and that his prior decision to refuse dialysis was in James’ best interest since he did more harm than good. Thus, Mike should accept a kidney transplant because it will improve his health which has greatly deteriorated. PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care

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How a spiritual needs assessment would help

A spiritual needs assessment would help the physician to help Mike in determining appropriate interventions for James, his family and other people involved in James’ care in identifying the spiritual needs of James’ parents as they relate to medical care and the utilization of interventions that will respect and respond to their spiritual beliefs. As  Isaac et al (2016)  indicate, a spiritual needs assessment provides the for talking about the experiences of patients along with their families in dealing with illnesses and the spiritual beliefs that might be in contradiction with medical decisions. An assessment will help the physician understand the spiritual beliefs of James’ family and those taking care of him and better understand them as individuals and also understand how their spiritual beliefs influence the decisions they make. An understanding of spiritual needs will enable the physician to give hope to James’ family, provide medical advice or modify medical treatment.

 

References

Isaac, K., Jay, J., & Lubektin, E. (2016). Incorporating Spirituality in Primary Care. Journal of Religion and Health, 55(3), 1065-1077.

McDougall, R., & Notini, L.  (2014). Overriding parents’ medical decisions for their children: a systematic review of normative literature. Journal of Medical Ethics, 40(7), 448-452

Shaul, R. (2014). Pediatric Patient and Family-Centered Care: Ethical and Legal Issues. New York: Springer. PHI-413V Ethical and Spiritual Decision Making in Health Care.

 

Professional Goals and Self-Assessment of Clinical Skills Practicum Journal

Professional Goals and Self-Assessment of Clinical Skills Practicum Journal

Being a reflective practitioner enables NPs to identify weaknesses and target professional development in order to address these weaknesses. In turn, this increases the NPs’ ability to provide the best care to patients and their families. Reflection also affords the NP time to consider communication and their efforts toward creating a culture of mutual support with colleagues, a characteristic that is essential to successful NP practice (Somerville & Keeling, 2004).
Each week you will complete a Journal Entry and Time Log that prompts you to reflect on your Practicum Experiences and how they relate to your Professional Goals and Self-Assessment of Clinical Skills. This week you will begin documenting your Practicum Experiences in your Practicum Journal. Professional Goals and Self-Assessment of Clinical Skills Practicum Journal.

Patient:
18 year old female. She presents with UTI symptoms.

Diagnosis: Acute cystitis and Treatment with Macrobid.
I will upload my paper to correlate improvement with

 

Patient Report

An 18-year-old patient presented at the healthcare facility with recurrent UTI. The female patient had a two-year history of the said infection. She has had 10 negative cultures and 2 positive ones. The patient has had some relief on several occasions following antibiotic courses. Professional Goals and Self-Assessment of Clinical Skills Practicum Journal Sometimes the drugs have not had the desired effect.

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She presented for a continuous episode that had lasted a fortnight with incidences of urine frequency every half hour to one hour, continuous urge to urinate, voiding at least four times before sleeping and at night time she reports waking up thrice. She experiences bladder fullness, suprapubic pain, and significant dysuria. The patient did not report any episodes of incontinence Professional Goals and Self-Assessment of Clinical Skills Practicum Journal. She described the infection as a flare and as had similar symptoms but of lesser intensity, daily, within the last two years.

Additionally, the patient said she has had a sexual partner for the last two years though she admits that sexual activity is an uncomfortable occurrence for her. The patient is also a heavy smoker (half a pack a day). The patient did not report any remarkable medical history or chronic condition. The physical examination revealed an anterior vaginal wall and an SP region that was tender. The urinalysis under the high power field showed 5-10 white blood cells and 1-3 red blood cells.

Discussion

The patient was diagnosed with cystitis. Of paramount importance was smoking cessation and the patient was advised on the importance of smoking cessation (Kullmann, 2017). I gave the patient reading material on the health risks of smoking, where to get help and some of the immediate actions that can be taken in seeking cessation. I also educated the patient on painful bladder syndrome and its treatment. In this situation, the patient’s level of knowledge and awareness play an important role in recovery. I advised the patient to take additional measures such as stress reduction, regular exercise, modification of diet, and avoiding irritants including douches, diaphragm use and condom use by her partner (Kavuma, 2017). Also, I advised the patient to seek alternative contraceptive methods. Professional Goals and Self-Assessment of Clinical Skills Practicum Journal.

Additionally, I asked the patient to book an appointment with the physiotherapist for pelvic floor exercises (Kavuma, 2017). A pelvic examination and local cystoscopy showed that the bladder was normal. The patient was put on an extended course of antibiotics specifically, nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) and pyridium (phenazoyridine) for 2-3 weeks as a way of ruling out an infectious etiology because of the recurrent UTI (Daniel, Schulten, & Herndon, 2018) Professional Goals and Self-Assessment of Clinical Skills Practicum Journal.

Interprofessional practice for a professional nursing organization essay

As an Advanced nurse practitioners Interprofessional practice requires that health care practitioners recognize that patient outcomes are better when there is a collaborative team approach in addressing patient health issues. Also, there are barriers to interprofessional practice that must be addressed among health care practitioners. The Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) is an initiative including multiple professions designed to advance interprofessional education so that students entering health care professions are able to view collaboration as the norm and seek collaborative relationships with other providers (IPEC, 2011) Interprofessional practice for a professional nursing organization essay.
This week your Discussion will focus on interprofessional practice. This Discussion is an opportunity for you to examine your perspective and experiences with interprofessional collaborative practice and to apply your knowledge to managing patient care.
To prepare:
Identify a professional nursing organization and review their position on interprofessional practice
Review the following case study:
Case Study:
Ms. Tuckerno has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). The patient receives care at an internal medicine clinic. Her internist is not in the office today and she is being treated by the nurse practitioner. The patient is on two medications for her MS, three different blood pressure medications, one medication for thyroid disease, one diabetic pill daily, insulin injections twice a day, she uses medical cannabis, and uses eye drops for glaucoma. Upon assessing the patient, the nurse practitioner (NP) decides her treatment plan should be adjusted. The NP discontinues some of the patient’s meds and discontinues medical cannabis. She orders the patient to follow up in two weeks.
The patient returns and is seen by her internist Interprofessional practice for a professional nursing organization essay. The internist speaks with the patient and reviews her medical chart. The internist states to the patient, \”I am dissatisfied with the care you received from the nurse practitioner.\” The internist places the patient back on originally prescribed medications and medical cannabis.
By Day 3
Post an explanation of your understanding of interprofessional practice. Also, explain the position on interprofessional practice for a professional nursing organization that you are a member of or of which you plan to become a member. Then, explain what you think is the best collaborative approach to manage Ms. Tuckerno’s care.

Please utilize the resource and information from the file I upload

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Explain your understanding of inter-professional practice

Healthcare organizations across the world, the US included, aim at providing high-quality services to patients. Patient satisfaction is one of the driving factors that propel healthcare facilities to pursue` quality service provision (Batbaatar et al., 2017). Additionally, reducing or completely eliminating medical related errors as well as adverse events have seen facilities utilize all possible resources to ensure they do not occur. Further, practices that improve patient outcomes with minimal negative outcomes have been adopted. One such practice is the inclusion of interprofessional collaborative practices (Morgan, Pullon,& McKinlay, 2015) Interprofessional practice for a professional nursing organization essay. This practice is widely adopted in different healthcare facilities offering diverse services. No one professional is capable of attending to a patient solely; thus, a practitioner needs to collaborate with others in the field for the best possible patient outcomes. Further, besides the collaboration between practitioners, patient contribution and participation is necessary for comprehensive care to be provided. Patient involvement in has been shown to result in better outcomes. One such benefit is that it allows the patient to be informed on their illness, treatment options, and with this information, a patient can make autonomous decisions that would result in their improved health status (Sacchi et al., 2015). Hence, an interprofessional practice can be defined as the collaboration process where healthcare practitioners work together with other professionals who are not in the same field of practice as they are and also with the patients and their kin in improving the care quality offered to the patient (Morgan et al. 2015) Interprofessional practice for a professional nursing organization essay.

Explain the position on interprofessional practice for a professional nursing organization that you are a member of or of which you plan to become a member.

At my place of work (oncology clinic), a lot of importance is given to interprofessional practice. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world with no known cure. The nature of the disease calls for research and experimental treatment regimens to be adopted in an attempt to improve patients’ lives. When treating cancer, the patient often wants to be given numerous alternatives in managing the illness. Some patients are willing to try out new treatment regimens while others seek for non-traditional methods of cancer management Interprofessional practice for a professional nursing organization essay. In some cases, some patients will willingly undergo surgery while some will opt for other alternatives that have a possibility of shrinking tumors such as radiotherapy, herbal options, and mind meditation, among others.

In line with respecting patient autonomy, the oncology clinic will often give the patient all the information they need as regards the different treatment options. With this information, a patient can make a decision which the oncologist embarks on implementing. It’s at this point that interprofessional collaboration comes into play depending on the choices made by the patient and their kin. The different professionals that make up the treatment management team rely on frequent, clear, and interactive communication. Interprofessional practice for a professional nursing organization essay This is because communication is key in ensuring that each team member is at par with regards to the patient’s progress, the current treatment plan, and the wishes of the patient. That said the team working collaboratively discusses a patient’s progress using diverse channels including real-time conferencing, shared patient electronic records, and face-to-face meetings. Additionally, all decisions made by the care team are run through the patient to ensure that the patient is always informed on the next steps to be taken as well as to give the patient a progress report on their health status.

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Explain what you think is the best collaborative approach to manage Ms. Tuckerno’s care.

Regarding Ms. Tuckerno’s case, lack of communication on what makes for ideal care can cause negative effects on the patient. The internist used her expertise to prescribe the medication as she did. However, the NP was of a different opinion and discontinued some of the drugs effectively changing the patient’s treatment plan. In a fortnight, the patient was re-prescribed the prescriptions. The cessation of medication and subsequent reintroduction can result in the patient building resistance to the drugs thus rendering them ineffective once re-introduced. This will require alternative, stronger doses of the medication which could have adverse negative effects on the patient’s health outcomes (Shah, 2015) Interprofessional practice for a professional nursing organization essay.

A collaborative approach to caring for Ms. Tuckerno is critical if the healthcare professionals want to avoid lawsuits following adverse negative outcomes from their prescription choices. With collaboration, the NP and internist, as well as the patient, will come up with a care plan that will offer the best outcomes for the patient (Bareil et al., 2015). Further, a collaborative approach will ensure that the patient is not confused as regards how and when to take her medication. When the patient follows an agreed-upon treatment plan, she will be in a better position to report any side effects and the care team will have an easier time resolving the side effects issues. Finally, collaboration between the NP and internist will allow for the two to share information, skills, and knowledge. Doing so will improve on decision making, easier monitoring of the patient, as well as the opportunity to carry out farther focused research, all of which will improve patient outcomes Interprofessional practice for a professional nursing organization essay.

References

Bareil, C., Duhamel, F., Lalonde, L., Goudreau, J., Hudon, É., Lussier, M. T., … & Lalonde, G. (2015). Facilitating implementation of interprofessional collaborative practices into primary care: A trilogy of driving forces. Journal of Healthcare Management, 60(4), 287-300.

Batbaatar, E., Dorjdagva, J., Luvsannyam, A., Savino, M. M., & Amenta, P. (2017). Determinants of patient satisfaction: a systematic review. Perspectives in public health, 137(2), 89-101.

Morgan, S., Pullon, S., & McKinlay, E. (2015). Observation of interprofessional collaborative practice in primary care teams: an integrative literature review. International journal of nursing studies, 52(7), 1217-1230.

Sacchi, L., Lanzola, G., Viani, N., & Quaglini, S. (2015). Personalization and patient involvement in decision support systems: current trends. Yearbook of medical informatics, 24(01), 106-118.

Shah, P. (2015). Symptomatic management in multiple sclerosis. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, 18(Suppl 1), S35. Interprofessional practice for a professional nursing organization essay.

Cardiovascular Disorders Pharmacotherapy Essay Example

Assignment: Pharmacotherapy for Cardiovascular Disorders

Write a 2-page paper that addresses the following:
The Case Study for this week is the following:

Patient AO has a history of obesity and has recently gained 9 pounds. The patient has been diagnosed with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Drugs currently prescribed include the following:

1. Atenolol 12.5 mg daily
2. Doxazosin 8 mg daily
3. Hydralazine 10 mg qid
4. Sertraline 25 mg daily
5. Simvastatin 80 mg daily

Explain how the factor you selected might influence the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes in the patient from the case study you were assigned.

Describe how changes in the processes might impact the patient’s recommended drug therapy. Be specific and provide examples.

Explain how you might improve the patient’s drug therapy plan and explain why you would make these recommended improvements. Cardiovascular Disorders Pharmacotherapy Essay Example.

Resources:

Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.-a). Code of federal regulations. Retrieved February 1, 2019, from https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/21cfr/cfr/1300/1300_01.htm

Fowler, M. D. M., & American Nurses Association. (2015). Guide to the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements: Development, Interpretation, and Application (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, Maryland: American Nurses Association.

Ladd, E., & Hoyt, A. (2016). Shedding light on nurse practitioner prescribing. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 12(3), 166–173. doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2015.09.17

Rosenthal, L. D., & Burchum, J. R. (2018). Lehne’s pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice providers. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

JNC 8 Guidelines for the treatment of hypertension in adults Cardiovascular Disorders Pharmacotherapy Essay Example

ACC/AHA national cholesterol treatment guidelines

 

Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia in Obesity: A Case Study on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy

Age is one factor that significantly affects the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of medications that are routinely used to treat and manage cardiovascular conditions. For patient AO who has obesity and has been diagnosed with hypertension and hyperlipidemia, the PK and PD of the drugs he has been put on will be affected to a large extent by his age (Katzung, 2018; Rosenthal & Burchum, 2018). It is known that with growing age, the first pass metabolism by the cytochrome P450 isoenzymes in the liver becomes less effective. This is because of the deterioration of the liver with age. Cardiovascular Disorders Pharmacotherapy Essay Example. As a result, the oral drugs that are metabolised in the liver to inactive metabolites through this pathway accumulate in the body after administration because of the delay in metabolising them (Hammer & McPhee, 2018; Huether & McCance, 2017). Hydralazine is one such drug that might suffer this fate and which patient AO is taking. The other way that age affects the PK and PD of cardiovascular medications is through the fact that renal function declines with age. As a result, excretion of drugs through the renal route is compromised in older subjects and the drug and its metabolites can accumulate in the body to dangerous levels. Both atenolol and hydralazine are affected by this scenario (Rosenthal & Burchum, 2018). In older patients, absorption of substances from the gastrointestinal tract also becomes less efficacious Cardiovascular Disorders Pharmacotherapy Essay Example. This includes oral medications. As a result, drugs taken orally, as is the case with patient AO, may not be optimally absorbed. This leads to lower plasma concentrations that may not reach therapeutic levels (Katzung, 2018; Rosenthal & Burchum, 2018).

Older patients have also been known to possess less lean body mass. This mass decreases as one ages. Unfortunately, the distribution of several drugs is dependent on lean body mass. As such, these drugs will not reach all the areas they are supposed to reach because of the age-related deficiency in lean body mass. Their effectiveness is therefore compromised in such older patients (Rosenthal & Burchum, 2018; Katzung, 2018). Lastly but not least, because of these shortcomings, the pharmacodynamics of many of these medications will be affected in that their actions will be prolonged due to accumulation in the blood and body tissues (Katzung, 2018) Cardiovascular Disorders Pharmacotherapy Essay Example.

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How these Changes Might Affect the Patient’s Recommended Drug Therapy

Apart from the importance of lifestyle changes that patient AO must effect to mitigate the effects of obesity and hyperlipidemia (Rubenfire, 2018), the changes in PK and PD will necessitate alterations in the dosages of the respective drugs (Armstrong, 2014). For instance, sertraline is known to predispose elderly patients to the risk of falls under normal circumstances (Katzung, 2018). In an older patient with much more prominent of these deteriorative changes, the effect of sertraline may be magnified. Because of this, the dose will need to be reduced in older patients (Armstrong, 2014). Again because of the reduction in renal function, the dosages of both atenolol and hydralazine may also need to be reduced in older patients. This is because they and their metabolites accumulate in the bodies of older patients because of reduced renal excretion (Huether & McCance, 2017; Hammer & McPhee, 2018). Luckily, doxazosin is beneficial in both hypertension and lipid control in older patients. Therefore, its dose may be left as it is. As for simvastatin, it also appears to be stable at the usual dosages (Katzung, 2018; Rosenthal & Burchum, 2018). Cardiovascular Disorders Pharmacotherapy Essay Example

How to Improve the Patient’s Drug Regime

The most important step to achieve this is to reduce the dosages of the drugs whose PK and PD are adversely affected by age as discussed above. This is in line with the bioethical principle of beneficence. That is doing the most good to the patient as opposed to causing them harm by leaving the dosages as they are (Fowler & ANA, 2015).  The reason is to enhance the therapeutic value of the cardiovascular drugs and reduce adverse effects.

References

Armstrong, C. (2014). JNC 8 guidelines for the management of hypertension in adults. American Family Physician, 90(7):503-504. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2014/1001/p503.html

Fowler, M.D.M., & American Nurses Association. (2015). Guide to the Code of Ethics for Nurses with interpretive statements: Development, interpretation, and application, 2^nd ed. Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses Association.

Hammer, D.G., & McPhee, S.J. (Eds). (2018). Pathophysiology of disease: An introduction to clinical medicine, 8^th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education. Cardiovascular Disorders Pharmacotherapy Essay Example

Huether, S.E. & McCance, K.L. (2017). Understanding pathophysiology, 6^th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier, Inc.

Katzung, B.G. (Ed) (2018). Basic and clinical pharmacology, 14^th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

Rosenthal, L.D., & Burchum, J.R. (2018). Lehne’s pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice providers. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

Rubenfire, M. (2018). 2018 AHA/ACC Multi-society guideline on the management of blood cholesterol. American College of Cardiology. Retrieved 9 March 2020 from https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2018/11/09/14/28/2018-guideline-on-management-of-blood-cholesterol  Cardiovascular Disorders Pharmacotherapy Essay Example

Spirituality Reflective Writing – NURS 323 Pathophysiology

Select a body system and identify one disease process that fascinates you most as a creation of God. Answer the following questions relating to the disease process.
1. What aspects of normal anatomy is interesting to you and why?
2. What factors have caused the damage to the normal anatomy and physiology?
3. How can we restore the healing process?
4. What is the role of prayer, influence of religion and culture relating to this disease process?
5. Conclusion with a call to action or something meanYou have been assigned required readings on spirituality in your course. You may choose one or more chapters from each assigned book to read. You will then write a reflection paper regarding your thoughts, meaningful ideas, feelings, and/or reactions, and the application of these to nursing practice or your own spiritual growth and self-care. Spirituality Reflective Writing – NURS 323 Pathophysiology

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1. Paper is typed in at least 2-3 pages, double spaced and turned in on time via D2L or email to your professor, with coversheet title page in APA format; thoughtful, suitable title 10 Points
2. Introductory paragraph is attention-getting
10 Points
3. Spelling, grammar, mechanics, and usage are correct throughout paper 10 Points
4. Answers all questions and thoughts are expressed in a coherent and logical manner. 20 Points
5. Viewpoints and interpretations are insightful, demonstrating an in-depth knowledge, and understanding of the disease process and reflecting the role of prayer, region and culture influence on healing on the disease process. . 20 Points
6. Concluding paragraph sums up information, reiterates ideas and opinions, and leaves reader with a call to action or something meaningful to remember 10 Points
7. Pertinent reference sources are skillfully woven throughout paper without over use of quotations but, rather, attempt to paraphrase 10 Points
8. References are properly cited in APA format with no plagiarism. 5 Points
9. At least 3 references are cited in paper, including a reference from current class assigned chapter readings in Mauk, a reading in an assigned chapter in White, Anatomy & Physiology, and pathophysiology text and one journal article of your own choice. 5 Points Spirituality Reflective Writing – NURS 323 Pathophysiology
Total 100 Possible Points Actual Points =
References:
Mauk, K. L., & Schmidt, N. K. (2004). Spiritual care in nursing practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott.
White, E. G. (2011). The Ministry of healing. Guildford, UK: White Crow Books.
Journal article:
APA format reference that you may use for free:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

It is recommended that you upload your paper into Turnitin on D2L to check for plagiarism prior to submission to your professor. Also, to check for correct grammar, use the Grammar.

ingful to remember

PLEASE DO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING
1. Readings in E.G. White, The Ministry of Healing
Chapt 5 Healing of the Soul
Chapt 16 Prayer for the Sick

2.Readings in Mauk and Schmidt, Spiritual Care in Nursing Practice: Chapter 4 Introduction to Influences of Religion and Culture on Nursing
3. Any other reference of your choice Spirituality Reflective Writing – NURS 323 Pathophysiology

 

Spirituality and the Nexus Between Religion and Nursing Practice

The aspect of normal anatomy that is interesting to me involves the normal functioning of the human brain. The brain of the human person is a fascinating creation or evolution (depending on one’s belief). It is in that organ that all other functions and processes of the human body are controlled. Thought itself and the conceptualisation of good and bad reside in the brain. Furthermore, the concept of spirituality is resident in the mind, which itself has a complex interconnectedness with the brain. That the brain is made of millions of neurons is what interests me most. This is because the neurons are not even a continuous strand or fibre of organic material. Rather, each of them is an independent cell that is not directly connected to the next. A gap exists between two adjacent neurons, and it is through this gap that impulses are passed from one neuron to another using chemical carriers known as neurotransmitters. Spirituality Reflective Writing – NURS 323 Pathophysiology. Some of these are acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin. When disease strikes, most of the times it normally targets the neurotransmitters to disrupt proper functioning of the brain. Symptoms then manifest as mental disease.

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The factors that then cause damage to the normal anatomy and physiology of the brain are factors that disrupt the transmission of impulses, or interfere with the integrity of the neurons. An example of a disease condition that results from the former is the psychosis known as schizophrenia, while for the latter the example is the demyelinating condition multiple sclerosis. Another factor that can also cause damage to the normal anatomy and physiology of the brain is a physical or physiological accident. A physical accident is like a fall or a motor vehicle accident, while a physiological accident is like a stroke (bursting of a blood vessel in the brain).

How We Can Restore the Healing Process

Restoration of the healing process from a holistic nursing perspective will involve both physical therapies and spiritual nourishment. In other words, healing will not be directed only at the physical element which is the brain. Rather, it will be directed at the whole person’s mind, body, and spirit. This is where spirituality and the nexus between it and nursing come in. According to Mauk and Schmidt (2004), health and spirituality have had a close connection for a long time. In fact, the basis of traditional medicine especially in the Orient has been spirituality coupled with the usual physical factors Spirituality Reflective Writing – NURS 323 Pathophysiology. In conventional medical practice, nurses have always been concerned with the spirituality of their patients, particularly those that they know will not live for long as they suffer from terminal illness (Hussey, 2009). As such, holistic nursing is also important in restoring the healing process.

Role of Prayer, Influence of Religion and Culture in Illness

            Religion teaches that most of the human afflictions are a result of sinning and a person brings them to themselves. As such, spirituality has it that prayer can undo this and restore health. Spirituality and religion also dictate that God will heal without discriminating against those that have sinned and fallen ill. A good example is the paralytic at Capernaum who was healed by Jesus, even though he had fallen sick because of his own transgressions (White, 2011). Culturally, most of us have been brought up to believe strongly that despite tangible physical cures (conventional medicine), spirituality still plays an important part in the healing process. That is why nurses have to adopt a holistic attitude to patient care. Spirituality Reflective Writing – NURS 323 Pathophysiology

In conclusion, we need to appreciate that the normal functioning of the human body is prone to disruption by illness. The treatment of this illness however depends on both physical measures and spiritual intervention. As nurses, we should therefore always care for our patients holistically by including religious and cultural aspects of therapy and healing.

References

Hussey, T. (2009). Nursing and spirituality. Nursing Philosophy, 10(2), 71–80. Doi:10.1111/j.1466-769x.2008.00387.x

Mauk, K.L., & Schmidt, N.K. (2004). Spiritual care in nursing practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott.

White, E.G. (2011). The ministry of healing. Guildford, UK: White Crow Books. Spirituality Reflective Writing – NURS 323 Pathophysiology