NURS 6501 Week 8 Assignment – Step-by-Step Guide

The first step before starting to write the NURS 6501 Week 8 Assignment Case Study Analysis on Concepts of Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders – Part 2, it is essential to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment. It is also important to identify the audience of the paper and its purpose so that it can help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, you should review its use, such as writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review how to format the title page and the headings in the paper.

How to Research and Prepare for NURS 6501 Week 8 Assignment

The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify the list of keywords from your topic using different combinations. The first step is to visit the university library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last words and go through each to check for credibility. 

Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, for example, in APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list. You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching about. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next you should create a detailed outline of the paper so that it can help you to create headings and subheadings to be used in the paper. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.

How to Write the Introduction for NURS 6501 Week 8 Assignment

The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part as it helps to provide the context of your work, and will determine if the reader will be interested to read through to the end. You should start with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.

How to Write the Body for NURS 6501 Week 8 Assignment

The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence conducted from the research, ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance and how it connects to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between each paragraph by using transition words and a flow of ideas.

How to Write the In-text Citations for NURS 6501 Week 8 Assignment

In-text citations help the reader to give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their works. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:

The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Smith (2021), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Johnson and Brown (2020) highlight that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.

How to Write the Conclusion for NURS 6501 Week 8 Assignment

When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restarting your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper, by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. End with a call to action that leaves a lasting impact on the reader or recommendations.

How to Format the Reference List for NURS 6501 Week 8 Assignment

The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded, in sentence sentence care. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication. 

Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:

References

Johnson, L. M., & Brown, R. T. (2020). The role of telehealth in improving patient outcomes. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 35(2), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000456

Smith, J. A. (2021). The impact of technology on nursing practice. Health Press.

An Example NURS 6501 Week 8 Assignment Follows:

Case Study Analysis

Healthcare professionals are expected to have an in-depth understanding of the different pathophysiologic processes that are behind various symptoms. The understanding of these processes assists the care professional in accurately diagnosing a patient and developing an appropriate treatment and management plan for the diagnosed condition. The neurological and musculoskeletal systems are closely related and may impact each other in alterations of the systems in different symptoms. This essay presents an analysis of a case study scenario by exploring the neurological and musculoskeletal pathophysiologic processes that would account for the patient presenting the current symptoms, the racial/ethnic variables that may impact physiological functioning, and how the processes interact to affect the patient.

The case study involves a 74-year-old male who develops a sudden onset of difficulty speaking, drooling from the left side of the mouth, and weakness in his left arm. These symptoms progress over the next 10 minutes, leading to an emergency department visit, where a neuro exam is conducted on the patient, alongside oxygen saturation, pulse, and blood pressure. The patient also has a history of hypertension and smoking. The patient keeps denying he has a problem. Based on the tests and the presenting symptoms, the patient has mild-moderate dysarthria, which is related to a stroke attack. According to Jayaraman and M Das (2023), dysarthria is a group of neurogenic speech disorders mainly characterized by an abnormality in the strength, speed, steadiness, range, tone, and accuracy of movements required for speech production. However, the neuro exam conducted for the patient at the ER rules out primary language disorders as the major condition since receptive and expressive language are intact.

Both the neurologic and musculoskeletal systems are involved in the development of dysarthria and stroke. The patient’s neurologic system may have responded to the stroke, leading to difficulty in speech, resulting from an interruption of blood flow to the brain, which damages the neuropathways that are necessary for coordinating and controlling the muscles necessary for speech production. Inadequate blood flow in brain cells results in inadequate oxygen and nutrients, leading to cell death or damage (Kuriakose & Xiao, 2020). The pathophysiologic process is also responsible for the other symptoms (Left arm not resisting gravity, left leg with mild drift, and Mild neglect to the left side of the body) that the patient is presenting with.

The musculoskeletal system is also affected by the neurological pathophysiologic processes mentioned above, contributing to the current symptoms. According to Orellana-Urzúa et al. (2020), neurological damage in stroke affects the motor control centers in the brain, compromising the normal functioning of the musculoskeletal system. Thus, the affected side experiences muscle weakness, flaccidity, or spasticity. For example, in this case scenario, the patient presented with left leg mild drift, mild neglect on the left side of the body, and a mild left facial droop.

Racial/ethnic variables may significantly impact the physiologic functioning of individuals. These variables include cultural practices and lifestyle, environmental exposure, and genetic susceptibility to disease. The cultural practices such as physical activity and lifestyle adopted by an ethnic group may contribute to diseases. Some ethnic/racial groups may also be exposed to environmental hazards that may negatively affect their physiological functioning. In addition, Raffington et al. (2023) note that genetic susceptibility following racial/ethnic-related genetic variations may increase the susceptibility to disease. These racial/ethnic variables may interact with the physiological functioning to affect the patient. For example, an individual with a high susceptibility to stroke due to genetic predisposition would experience the neurological and musculoskeletal pathophysiologic processes, thus presenting with stroke symptoms.

The patient’s symptoms in the case study scenario show that the patient has mild dysarthria and stroke. The neurologic and musculoskeletal pathophysiologic processes resulting from the current symptoms are as discussed above. Racial/ethnic variables such as environmental exposure, genetic predisposition increasing susceptibility to a disease, and cultural practices impact the physiological functioning of individuals.   

NURS 6501 Week 8 Assignment References

Jayaraman, D.K. & M Das, J. (2023) Dysarthria. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK592453/

Kuriakose, D., & Xiao, Z. (2020). Pathophysiology and Treatment of Stroke: Present Status and Future Perspectives. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(20), 7609. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21207609

Orellana-Urzúa, S., Rojas, I., Líbano, L., & Rodrigo, R. (2020). Pathophysiology of Ischemic Stroke: Role of Oxidative Stress. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 26(34), 4246–4260. https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612826666200708133912

Raffington, L., Tanksley, P. T., Sabhlok, A., Vinnik, L., Mallard, T., King, L. S., Goosby, B., Harden, K. P., & Tucker-Drob, E. M. (2023). Socially Stratified Epigenetic Profiles Are Associated with Cognitive Functioning in Children and Adolescents. Psychological Science, 34(2), 170–185. https://doi.org/10.1177/09567976221122760

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When approaching a 500-word essay, it’s essential to understand the nuances of this compact form of writing. These frequently asked questions will guide you through the process of crafting a concise and impactful essay.

How many pages is a 500-word essay typically?

A 500-word essay usually spans about one page if single-spaced or two pages when double-spaced, with standard margins and a 12-point font size.

Can you provide examples of a well-structured 500-word essay?

Certainly, to see the structure and flow of a well-written essay, you might want to take a look at a student’s writing guide that provides insights and examples.

Are there specific formatting guidelines for a 500-word essay?

Formatting guidelines typically involve using a legible font like Times New Roman or Arial, size 12, with double-spacing and one-inch margins on all sides. Check any specific requirements your instructor might have provided.

What are some effective strategies for writing a personal essay of 500 words?

For a personal essay, focus on a singular event or characteristic, ensuring your ideas are clear and you reflect on the significance of the subject matter. Use concise language and powerful imagery to maximize impact.

What topics are suitable for a concise 500-word essay?

Choose topics you can thoroughly address within the word limit, such as a personal anecdote, a critical analysis of a poem, or a focused argument on a singular point or issue.

How much time should you allocate to write a 500-word essay effectively?

Depending on your familiarity with the topic and writing proficiency, allocate anywhere from one to several hours for planning, drafting, and revising to ensure a well-presented essay.