Assignment : Discussion Questions

The discussion assignment provides a forum for discussing relevant topics for this week based on the course competencies covered.

For this assignment, go to the Discussion Area and post a response to one question in the Discussion Area by Saturday, September 30, 2017. You may respond to your classmates' postings for either question.

To support your work, use your course and text readings and also use the South University Online Library. As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.

Start reviewing and responding to the postings of your classmates as early in the week as possible. Respond to at least two of your classmates' initial postings.

Participate in the discussion by asking a question, providing a statement of clarification, providing a point of view with a rationale, challenging an aspect of the discussion, or indicating a relationship between two or more lines of reasoning in the discussion. Cite sources in your responses to other classmates. Complete your participation for this assignment by Wednesday, October 4, 2017.

Discussion Question 1

Facial pain or numbness is occasionally a chief complaint in primary care. Choose one differential diagnosis for facial pain or numbness in a select population and discuss signs, symptoms, physical findings, and diagnostic testing. You may choose a pediatric, adult, obstetric, or geriatric patient. Support your answer with evidence-based literature (references).

Discussion Question 2

The diagnosis of altered mental status is general rather than exact. There are several specific sources for altered mental status.

Choose three different diagnoses and discuss symptoms, risk factors, any cultural influences, assessment, and diagnostic tools that you would use to reach this diagnosis.

Discussion Question 3

Healthcare is an ever-evolving science. Research findings create changes that are communicated quickly through the Internet, paper publications, and eventually books. The MMSE has long been used to evaluate severity of Alzheimer's disease.

Research the Internet and find one other test that would be useful in screening or diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. It must be a scientific test, not lay testing. Discuss why you would use this test in your practice as an advanced practice registered nurse or why not.