NURS 6512 Week 5 Assignment 1 Case Study – Step-by-Step Guide
The first step before starting to write the NURS 6512 Week 5 Assignment 1 Case Study Assignment: Assessing the Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat, 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 6512 Week 5 Assignment 1 Case Study
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 NURS 6512 Week 5 Assignment 1 Case Study paper. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.
How to Write the Introduction for NURS 6512 Week 5 Assignment 1 Case Study
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 6512 Week 5 Assignment 1 Case Study
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 6512 Week 5 Assignment 1 Case Study
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 6512 Week 5 Assignment 1 Case Study
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 6512 Week 5 Assignment 1 Case Study
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 6512 Week 5 Assignment 1 Case Study Follows:
Episodic/Focused SOAP Note Template
Patient Information:
Jason, a 13-year-old male
S.
CC: “Really bad sore throat.”
HPI: Jason is a 13-year-old male who was brought o the hospital by his mother with complaints of a really bad sore throat was well until the previous day when he developed a really bad sore throat and fever. He explains that the sore throat worsens with swallowing, and his symptoms worsen at night. He also reports fatigue. His mother gave him over-the-counter Children’s Motrin and the fever subsided, but the sore throat persisted. He rates his pain at 7/10 on normal occasions and 9/10 during swallowing.
Current Medications: He has been on an OTC- Motrin 100mg/5mils, PO, TID since the previous day for sore throat and fever.
Allergies: Reports an allergy to pollen and dust, sneezes, and develops a runny nose. The last allergic attack was four months ago. Denies drug and food allergies
PMHx: Was diagnosed with pneumonia ten years ago and was hospitalized for a week. No hx of surgeries. All immunizations are up to date. #1 22/03/2021, # 2 22/09/2021 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
Soc Hx: Negative drug or substance alcohol abuse. He loves bike riding and skating. A student in grade 8. Reports using safety seat belts when traveling.
Fam Hx: Mother, 45, is asthmatic. Father, 50, alive and well. Brothers (twins), 12, both healthy. Sister, 15, is obese.
ROS:
General: Denies weight loss, chills, fever, or weakness
Heent:
Eyes: Denies lachrymation, blurry vision, double vision, discharge, dry eyes, or pain.
Ears, Nose, Throat: Denies changes in hearing acuity, otorrhea, or pain. Denies sneezing, rhinorrhea, or nasal congestion. Reports excruciating pain in the throat-worsens on swallowing
Skin: Denies rashes, lesions, swellings, or pain
Cardiovascular: Denies chest pain or discomfort, reports fatigue
Respiratory: Denies shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain
Gastrointestinal: Reports decreased appetite due to pain. Denies nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, hematuria, blood in Denies anorexia, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Genitourinary: Denies pain on urination or hematuria
Neurological: Denies headache, syncope, ataxia, numbness, or tingling of feet and hands. Reports full bowel and bladder control with no changes
Musculoskeletal: Denies muscle or back pain, joint stiffness, or pain
Hematologic: Denies bleeding or bruising
Lymphatics: Reports enlarged tonsils, denies other enlarged lymph nodes
Psychiatric: Denies any mental illness
Endocrinologic: Denies excessive sweating and cold or heat intolerance. Denies polyuria or polydipsia.
Allergies: Denies drug allergies and history of asthma. Reports allergy to pollen and dust and develops a runny nose and itchy eyes in the past on exposure to the allergens
O.
Physical exam: HEENT: The head is normocephalic, with no rashes, lesions, or tenderness, normal hairline with no hair loss
Eyes: sclera white, no drainage, PERRLA, pupillary light reflex, no pallor
Nose: pink membrane, no drainage, no pain on sinus palpation, no nasal congestion
Ears: No drainage, TM gray with no inflammation or erythema. Hearing acuity good
Mouth: white patch on the tongue, no bleeding, lost two premolars and an incisor. Throat dry and inflamed
Neck: Trachea midline, cervical lymph nodes inflamed, palpable tonsil stones
Chest: Symmetrical rising on breathing, no rashes or lesions. No palpitations. On auscultation, no wheezes, no vesicular breaths auscultated, and the apical pulse was 98 bpm. Resonance on lung percussion
Abdomen: Globular shape, no engorged veins, present bowel sounds in all quadrants, no lesions, rashes, or tenderness. No organomegaly or tenderness on palpation
Extremities: Capillary refill <+3, symmetric, warm, with a full range of motion on all extremities, peripheral pulse- 98bpm
Diagnostic results:
A pharyngeal swab for culture and sensitivity to identify the causative agent and definitive treatment (Mustafa & Ghaffari, 2020)
COVID-19 tests to rule out COVID-19- The CDC recommends it when an individual presents with a sore throat, fever, or other associated symptoms
Ultrasonography and computed tomography to rule out a peritonsillar abscess
A.
Differential Diagnoses
Primary Diagnosis
The primary diagnosis is Strep throat with tonsil stones. Strep throat is an infection by the streptococcus bacteria affecting the tonsils and soft tissues around them. Mustafa and Ghaffari (2020) note that the typical signs of strep are a sudden sore throat (erythematous), pain swallowing, and fever. In addition, there are white patches (pus-filled) on the back of the throat or tongue, a distinguishing feature from viral causes of pharyngitis. Most bacterial infections produce pus due to phagocytic activities.
Pain is caused by inflammation and pus resulting from the host defenses’ reaction to the bacteria and phagocytes. Other signs include fever, loss of appetite (due to pain), and fatigue in Strep throat (CDC, 2022). The tonsil stones are present on the right side, and both tonsils are inflamed. Tonsil stones result from exudate, food particles, or foreign particles. The fever responded to NSAIDs (Motrin), but the sore throat did not, suggesting an infection as the cause of the sore throat.
The cervical lymph nodes are also enlarged, and he complains that the sore throat pain worsens at night, typical signs of strep throat (Mustafa & Ghaffari, 2020). The presentation is typical of strep throat due to the accumulation of exudate and pus in the throat, which interferes with sleep and comfort. A physical examination of the nose, ear, eyes, and mouth eliminates other causes of the symptoms (Ball et al., 2019). These signs and symptoms and sudden onset lead to the ultimate diagnosis of Strep throat.
Differentials: 1. Peritonsillar abscess
Peritonsillar abscess is a complication of untreated tonsillitis. The disease can also occur after other untreated infections, such as gum and tooth infections. The condition is potentially life-threatening and has a chronic onset, unlike Jason’s sudden onset of symptoms. The disease also causes painful sore throats, fever, and difficulty swallowing, as in Jason’s presentation (Klug et al., 2020). However, a peritonsillar abscess follows an infection, and the signs and symptoms are not of sudden onset. The CDC (2022) notes that untreated strep throat could lead to a peritonsillar abscess. The condition also presents with no white patches, tongue, or throat, and there are voice changes such as hoarseness, which is absent in Jason. These symptoms’ onset, severity, and duration rule out a peritonsillar abscess.
Differential 2: Hemophilus Influenza
Influenza is a viral infection caused by group Hemophilus influenza type A, B, or C. Khattak and Anjum (2022) note that influenza causes fever, cough, runny nose, body aches, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. The disease can be easily confused with strep throat due to the sudden onset of symptoms such as sore throat, fatigue, and fever, which are the condition’s hallmarks. The disease also has a sudden onset. The major difference between influenza and strep throat is the areas affected and the characteristic white patches in strep throat. Viral infections rarely produce pus, and influenza is a viral infection. The patient presents with white patches on the tongue, thus ruling out influenza. Furthermore, nasal congestion, cough, and rhinitis are common in influenza, and Jason does not present with any of these, hence ruling out the disease. In addition, flu symptoms respond to NSAIDs, unlike in strep throat.
Differential 3: Tonsil Stones
Tonsil stones are mineralization of debris on the surface of the tonsils. They are common in untreated tonsils but do not always follow tonsillitis (Bakar et al.., 2018). They are hard yellow or white formations on the surface of the tonsils. They are present in this patient, and the additional symptoms show that Tonsils stones cannot be the only diagnosis. Individuals do not have a fever, and pain is felt on the side with the stones. In addition, signs of an infection are also absent. Thus, this patient has tonsil stones in addition to strep throat.
Differential 4: rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is a very common upper respiratory tract problem. Siddiqui et al. (2022) note that allergic rhinitis results from an allergic reaction to common allergens such as pollen and dust. The throat is sore and itchy in allergic rhinitis, and Allergic other symptoms include watery eyes, congestion, sneezing, and coughing. Sore throat is not the main symptom; watery eyes, congestion, sneezing, and coughing are the most common primary presentations (Siddiqui et al., 2022). Jason presents with a painful sore throat with no nasal congestion, watery eyes, or sneezing, ruling out the diagnosis. Ruling out these differentials paves the way for managing the underlying condition.
NURS 6512 Week 5 Assignment 1 Case Study References
Bakar, M. A., McKimm, J., Haque, S. Z., Majumder, M. A. A., & Haque, M. (2018). Chronic tonsillitis and biofilms: a brief overview of treatment modalities. Journal of Inflammation Research, 11, 329. https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S162486
Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2019). Ears, nose, and throat: Key points. In Seidel\’s guide to physical examination: An interprofessional approach (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), (2022). Pharyngitis (Strep Throat). Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Disease. https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-hcp/strep-throat.html
Khattak, Z. E., & Anjum, F. (2022). Haemophilus influenzae. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
Klug, T. E., Greve, T., & Hentze, M. (2020). Complications of peritonsillar abscess. Annals of clinical microbiology and antimicrobials, 19(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12941-020-00375-x
Mustafa, Z., & Ghaffari, M. (2020). Diagnostic methods, clinical guidelines, and antibiotic treatment for Group A streptococcal pharyngitis: A narrative review. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2020.563627
Siddiqui, Z. A., Walker, A., Pirwani, M. M., Tahiri, M., & Syed, I. (2022). Allergic rhinitis: diagnosis and management. British Journal of Hospital Medicine, 83(2), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.12968/hmed.2021.0570
How are you progressing with learning? Are you mastering the concepts, the diagnostics tools, the differential conditions and their respective presentations? Great. Time to test and evaluate your progress. The NURS 6512 Midterm Exam is up next. Review what you have studied from week 1 to week 5 of this class. All the best.
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.