How to get top marks in your nursing assignments

A nursing assignment is a paper with a particular topic focusing on a particularly pertinent issue. The information in a nursing paper is research-based to support the arguments with credible facts.

 

Tips to Get Top Marks in Your Nursing Assignments

 

An assignment contributes to the grade that a student attains. Proper planning and writing are essential in enabling students to get a top grade. Getting a top grade depends on the way that a student handles the assignment even before writing the paper. These steps help to attain the top marks

 

 

Analyze the topic critically

 

Understand the topic question to answer before starting to write by reading and analyzing every word. Find the meaning of any unfamiliar word from a reliable dictionary or seek clarification from a knowledgeable source. It is essential to consider limiting words such as “provide an analysis of the scope” or “evaluate the advantages of the process.” Pay attention to everything that makes a nursing assignment to be more specific.

 

 

Understand the grading

 

It is essential for students to determine the way an examiner distributes marks. A good student will go through an assessment checklist that helps to resolve the issues that an examiner is testing. The action enables focusing on the fields that win more marks.

 

 

Proper time planning

 

Create a time table allocating adequate moment for all the activities that are necessary to completing an assignment such as research, writing the draft, revising and editing. Stick to the timelines.

 

 

Research for reliable information

 

The hunt for information that helps to support the points in a paper should start after understanding the topic and awarding of marks. Books and the internet are some sources of credible information. Online sources help to find relevant information when there is no time to visit a nursing school library. Get much information as possible about the subject.

Writing To Get Top Marks in Your Nursing Assignments

 

Writing requirement for assignment might differ, but it is essential to ensure that there is clarity by ordering the sections in the following manner:

 

 

Introduction

 

The first paragraph in the assignment to give examiners a clear preview of your discussion and that you understand the subject. You can prove your understanding by writing the topic question in your words and state your stand in the thesis statement. You can skip writing the introduction until you complete writing the entire assignment for it to be an actual summary of everything in the paper.

 

 

Body

 

The body is the point to present your arguments to support the thesis statement without deviation. Use the evidence from research to support the claims but cite the direct quotes when answering the topic question. Use different paragraphs for each idea, but they should have a similar structure.

 

 

Conclusion

 

A conclusion brings your assignment to a logical conclusion to prevent an abrupt stop. Restate the main ideas and highlight the areas that require further research in the future but do not introduce new ideas. Complete the first draft early as you can to leave time for taking a break and proofreading with a fresh mind.

 

 

Proofreading To Get Top in Your Nursing Assignments

 

Always proofread an assignment to ensure that the content answers the topic question. Remove or add something that will help to improve quality. Correct all the grammar and spelling errors as well as the citations.

 

The ability to get top marks in nursing assignments starts with understanding the topic, researching for credible information and adherence to instructions as well expectations be the examiner when writing.

How to survive and thrive in a nursing career

The primary role of nursing is to care of the patients to enable them to recover from their medical condition. Nursing can be hectic due to long shifts and working in stressful situations. These are difficult situation nut part of the job and should not prevent a nurse from surviving in the position and thriving.

 

Tips For Surviving and Thrive In a Nursing Career

 

Nursing can on certain occasions feel incredibly stressful, but there are ways for a nurse to combat the stressors and make their work to be more fulfilling.

 

 

Be positive

 

Staying positive about the job is one of the helpful ways for nurses to reduce stress levels and improve their mood. It is not difficult as it seems and is still very important because most of the experiences in life and reactions towards some conditions are beyond control. The way to handle experiences that are beyond is to change perception on them and improve the overall happiness. Having a positive attitude helps to pull through the difficult issues even when you do not have an immediate solution.

 

 

Set realistic goals

 

There is much to struggle about nursing especially for newly hired nurses. A useful way of adapting to nursing life or shift is to set small, realistic goals. Setting achievable goals helps to simplify the completion of tasks and builds confidence. Try to set a target that enables you to learn something new each day. Learning a new fact or task helps a nurse to feel successful rather than feel defeated for failing to understand some things.

 

 

Learn to prioritize

 

A nurse taking care of a high acuity patient or a few with different needs can be overwhelmed. These are everyday situations in nursing, and both lead to a multitude of tasks necessary to take care of the patient. It is essential to break down a shift into hourly portions. Start by determining the critical and least important task to complete within an hour. It is a method that helps in organizing tasks are reacting appropriately if something unexpected happens.

Create a rapport with coworkers

 

Take time to know new colleagues and interact with those you know. Memorize their names and make a habit of exchanging greetings. The habit enables you to develop a relationship over time and create a network of people you can trust. You fellow nurses will be supporting you during the difficult moments and emergencies which are essential for survival in nursing.

 

Ask questions when in doubt

 

One of the best ways to learn in nursing is to ask questions especially when you are new to an area of practice. It is natural to fear to ask questions because it is an admission of ignorance, but nobody knows everything. The courage to ask helps to increase the knowledge in a nurse. You can write a list of all questions you have when the situation does not allow deviation such as an emergency from the task at hand and ask them during downtime.

 

 

Create time to relax

 

Do not think about work when you get time off. Use the time to de-stress by relaxing to eliminate the fatigue accumulated over the working days. Engaging in a hobby or pursuing relaxing outdoor fun activities such as hiking helps. It is better if you can hang out with non-nursing friends who are unlikely to discuss your work.

 

You can survive and thrive in a nursing career if you organize your work well to prevent burnout, create relaxing time and develop the right attitude.

Rusell Case Study

Hypertension is one of the common cardiovascular diseases that affect many people in America. Statistics indicate that in every three adults, one is having hypertension that is either diagnosed or not. Hypertension is usually asymptomatic in its mild and moderate stages but can result in severe health complications with it reaches its advanced stages Cooper-Dehoff, R., & Johnson, J.A. (2016). It is also good to note that hypertension can be managed successfully with the use of medication and lifestyle modification.

For the above-mentioned patient, there is symptomatic hypertension, which is under pharmacological therapy. It is evident from the vital signs and the lab diagnostics that the condition is not well managed hence the need to develop a new plan of care to complement the current treatment strategies.

 

 

Treatment Goals for Mr. Rusell

 

The goal of treatment or management of Mr. Russel is to eliminate symptoms, prevent complications, and promote quality life. This will be achieved through the management of the underlying cause of the observed symptoms. Heart palpitations and lightheadedness are significant symptoms of hypertension that require immediate intervention. Therefore, to eliminate these alterations, there is a need to effectively treat hypertension. He has elevated blood pressure despite being on HCTZ 25mg daily; hence he is diagnosed with secondary hypertension. Treatment will, therefore, aim at introducing drugs that will lower blood pressure to the normal ranges and also do away with the edema of the legs, crackles in the lungs, and palpitations. It is also important to review the laboratory results by comparing the past and the present results with the standard levels of the electrolytes and nutrients such as lipoproteins. Antihypertensive drugs such as HCTZ have significant effects on electrolytes level; hence the patient should have regular electrolyte profile tests. The majority of these test result is borderline hence the need to monitor them. Lastly, the management of this patient will also aim at educating the patient on the proper lifestyle behaviors to promote recovery and prevent complications.

Pharmacological Plan for Mr. Rusell

 

Currently, the patient is on HCTZ 25mg daily, yet there are still symptoms of hypertension, meaning that drug therapy is not effective. There are two reasons for this phenomenon. One is that either she is not taking the drug as prescribed or the drug is not effective in reducing the blood pressure. There is a need to review the medication behaviors of the patient before making any other decision. Based on the symptoms, there is a need to add another drug to complement the roles of HCTZ. The appropriate drug of choice for the patient will be an ACE inhibitor. Lisinopril 10mg daily is the drug of choice, which works to reduce peripheral vascular resistance to blood flow (Parekh et al,. 2017). Combining this drug with HCTZ will result in better outcomes. The patient should be examined after a month to evaluate the effectiveness of drug therapy.

 

Health Education for the Patient.

 

Following the addition of a new drug, there are several health messages that the patient has to take home. First is that he need to learn the importance of adhering to drug therapy while it home. This is essential in ensuring that complications are prevented and promote quality life. Secondly, the patient has to learn how to monitor blood pressure regularly. He has to learn on the levels that require healthcare interventions (Cooper-Dehoff, & Johnson, 2016). Thirdly, the patient needs to learn on the side effects of the new drug and such as dry cough, headaches, and dizziness. He has to know when to seek healthcare interventions when symptoms persist. The fourthThe fourth health message necessary for the patient is the importance of proper nutritional practices and regular physical activity in the management of hypertension. He has to take diets without much sugars or lipids. Finally, the patient should quit smoke and alcohol consumption if he has such behaviors (American College of Cardiology, 2017).

 

How would your plan change if your patient is African American?

 

Racial difference influences the pathophysiology of diseases and response to therapy. If the client was African American, the risk of angioedema would be high. As a result I would have opted to channel blockers I place of ACE inhibitors. Studies show that calcium channel blockers are more effective than ACE inhibitors in African Americans (American College of Cardiology, 2017). Hence I would have chosen Amlodipine in place of Lisinopril.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Some bugs also may occur together as primary entities or as secondary conditions to one another. Proper patient and disease management requires a comprehensive assessment of both objective and subjective clinical manifestation to come up with the correct diagnosis. Identification of patients disease is not only limited to primary diagnosis. Differential diagnosis has to be made since several diseases present with similar clinical symptoms. Differential diagnosis helps in preventing misdiagnosis and improper treatment. It, therefore, requires a proper assessment to identify the primary disease and make differential diagnoses for patients presenting with multiple signs and symptoms involving more than one system.

The patient mentioned above presents with both respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms. There is coughing, shortness of breath, sputum production, wheezing, increased anteroposterior diameter, flattened diaphragm, and increased blood pressure, history of smoking and peripheral vascular disease. To manage this patient properly, both primary and differential diagnosis has to be made based on the clinical presentation and diagnostic tests.

 

 

Differential Diagnosis

 

 

Chronic bronchitis

 

Chronic bronchitis is an inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by the presence of cough and production of sputum for over three months. Shortness of breath and increased respiratory rate are other primary characteristics of these conditions (Kim & Criner, 2015). It is common in children but also affects adults. Both the past and present history of smoking and pneumonia can lead to the development of bronchitis. The patient mentioned above in the case study presentation with a chronic cough, sputum production, shortness of breath, current history of smoking and history of pneumonia. With all these signs and symptoms, chronic bronchitis can be considered as one of differential diagnosis.

Asthma

 

Asthma is an upper respiratory condition that is characterized by acute shortness of breath due to the narrowed airway. The narrowing of the airway is either due to obstruction by foreign objects such as secretions or inflammation of the airway structures (Postma, Dirkje, & Klaus, 2015). A cough and sputum are present in a patient with asthma, and any trigger can result in an increased rate of respiration. The disease is most common with a patient with a history of smoking and other pathological conditions involving both respiratory and cardiovascular systems. For the above case study, there is shortness of breath, coughing and sputum production. Smoking has also been reported with a history of pneumonia and hypertension. Therefore, asthma should be considered as a diagnosis for this patient.

 

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a disease defined by acute airway narrowing or total obstruction by either inflammation, different objective or secretions such as blood and mucus (Divo et al., 2015). The symptoms of this disease include chronic productive cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, prolonged respiratory phases, increased anteroposterior diameter and a higher rate of respiration (Bradstreet, & Parkman, 2016). History of smoking, respiratory conditions and cardiovascular disease increases the risk of developing this disease. The present case involves a patient with similar characteristics of the chronic obstructive respiratory condition and therefore should be considered during diagnosis.

 

Emphysema

 

Emphysema is a lower respiratory disease characterized by an abnormal enlargement, distention of the alveolar, and narrowing of the airway. This distention leads to increased dead space in the lungs reducing pulmonary capillary bed. This result in increased pulmonary blood supply, therefore, raising the blood pressure (Pahal & Sharma, 2018). Patients will have increased blood pressure, shortness of breath, cough and respiratory distress (Divo et al., 2015). The risk for alveolar impairment is increased by smoking and a history of respiratory disease. For the above patient, the signs of emphysema are present and therefore should be considered as one of the diagnosis.

 

Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome

 

This is a condition in which the symptoms of both asthma and COPD are present or overlapping. The symptoms include a cough, sputum production, tachypnea, apnea, and wheezing. The causes of these symptoms include infections, the presence of secretions in the airway or inflammatory obstruction due to an allergic reaction (Postma, Dirkje, & Klaus, 2015). Lifestyle practice such smoking can lead to these conditions. The present case has all the symptoms, and predisposing factors hence should be considered as one of the diagnosis.

 

Primary diagnosis

 

The primary diagnosis for the patient in the case study is emphysema. The characteristic symptom of this condition is damaged alveoli and narrowed airway resulting in impaired gaseous exchange in patients (Pahal & Sharma, 2018). Signs and effects of abnormal gaseous exchange are observed in patients such as shortness of breath, productive cough, increased respiratory rate, wheezing and respiratory distress (Bradstreet, & Parkman, 2016). Factors such as respiratory infections, and smoking increase the chance of one getting this disease (Tran et al., 2015). The presented case meets all the signs and symptoms of emphysema.

 

Diagnostic Tests

 

Diagnostic tests to confirm the presence of this condition include radiological and arterial blood gases. A chest X-ray is performed to visualize the patency of the airway and other pulmonary structures, and, to rule other chest conditions. (Hellbach et al., 2015). Arterial Blood Gases test are performed to measure the effectiveness of gaseous exchange in the lungs. Sputum analysis is done to identify the cause of pulmonary impairment. Pulmonary Function Test is done to assess the performance of the lungs.

 

Treatment and management

 

The goal of treating emphysema is to eliminate symptoms and prevent complications. Treatment involved both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. The pharmacological approach includes the use of corticosteroid sand bronchodilators to clear secretions and prevent inflammations that cause airway narrowing (Pahal & Sharma, 2018). Antibiotics are also given to eliminate infectious agents from the respiratory system. Antihypertensive drugs are also provided to reduce elevated systolic blood pressure (Hillas, Perlikos, Tsiligianni, & Tzanakis, 2015). Non-pharmacological approaches are aimed at preventing the symptoms from progressing. They include suctioning of secretions if present. Advising the patient to quit smoking is also one of the methods of reducing the severity of the condition.

Health Promotion in Action

Health Promotion in Action

Introduction

The world is currently experiencing a triple disease burden which constitutes aspects such as the communicable disease’ unfinished agenda, re-emerging and newly emerging disorders, and the unprecedented increase in the prevalence of non-communicable chronic illnesses. There is, thus, an increasing need to provide high standards of care through health promotion. Various aspects outside the sector of healthcare affect health; these include political, economic, and social factors (Kim & Nahar, 2018). These factors consequently determine the setting in which people work, live, grow, and age, and the approaches that aim to address people’s health needs. Therefore, to attain the best healthcare standards, Kim & Nahar (2018) underscores the need for a detailed holistic approach which extends beyond the usual curative care and involves stakeholders, health providers, and communities. Holistic healthcare approaches aim to empower people to be responsible for their health and promote public health leadership and inter-sectoral efforts intended to establish good health policies and develop effective health frameworks. The elements mentioned above capture the essence or nature of health promotion. The purpose of this research paper is to delineate the differences between health promotion and health education, identify a health promotion referral organization in the community, and provide a review of the organization’s activities in the community.

Health Promotion and Health Education

 

Health promotion refers to the process of fostering an individual’s capacity to assume control over his health as a strategy to improve one’s overall health (Samara, Anderson, & Aro, 2019). Health promotion incorporates interventions at the political, social, organizational, and personal level to encourage adaptations that aim to protect or improve health. Health promotion, thus, assumes a more comprehensive health-promoting approach because it employs multi-sectoral methods in addressing health issues and involves different players. Health promotion focuses on responding to developments that have an indirect or direct bearing on health, for instance, cultural belief, environments, differences in consumption patterns, and inequalities (Chafjiri, Shirinkam, & Karimi, 2018). Health education, on the other hand, refers to a consciously developed opportunity for learning which incorporates some mode of communication designed to better health literacy by facilitating the development of life skills and improving knowledge associated with community and individual health. Health education is, therefore, not limited to data dissemination (health-related); it also promotes self-efficacy, skills, and motivation which are necessary for health improvement (Kim & Nahar, 2018). Health education enhances the dissemination of data regarding the underlying environmental, economic, and social conditions that impact health. Health education, hence, aims to provide health knowledge and information to communities and individuals and provide individuals with skills that enable them to embrace healthy behaviors voluntarily (Chafjiri, Shirinkam, & Karimi, 2018).

 

Health Promotion Referral Organization and its Application

 

One primary health promotion referral organization in the community is the American Diabetes Association, commonly abbreviated as ADA. The ADA is a nonprofit organization based in the USA whose aim is to educate the public about the disease and help individuals diagnosed with Diabetes by funding studies focused on managing, curing, and preventing Diabetes (Felicia, 2019). The organization conducts various populace health management programs designed to improve health. Some of these initiatives include Diabetes INSIDE and the Risk Test campaign. Diabetes INSIDE is a long-term strategy for the ADA which aims to translate over seventy-eight years of the institution’s advocacy and science into practice by reinforcing the country’s health care system to better populace outcomes for persons with Diabetes. The objective of Diabetes INSIDE is to stimulate, effectuate, and encourage the betterment of health in various systems of health care, public health sectors, and the multiple organizations and stakeholders dedicated to improving the outcomes of Diabetes. To achieve this goal, Diabetes INSIDE uses health services and population health research approaches, activities, and tools to better the care quality for diabetes and populace outcomes in various health care organizations. Diabetes INSIDE employs the use of populace health information analytics and science to tailor interventions towards demographics, resources, goals, and needs of health care partners and populaces they serve (Felicia, 2019). Some of these interventions include self-management (patients) education and support programs, provider professional development, multidisciplinary team coaching, and QI training for professionals (health care). Other intervention strategies include dissemination and recognition strategy and community-integrated health strategies. Felicia (2019), in her review, provides an example of the efficacy of QI data in delivering population health results following the application of Diabetes INSIDE at Parkland Health & Hospital System located in Texas. The QI project’s focus was to evaluate the introduction of insulin to individuals with unmanaged Diabetes. Some of the QI interventions used during the initiative include EHR data for tracking and identifying individuals with uncontrolled Diabetes, previsit arrangements for insulin introduction purposes, provider training and education, and shared medical appointments. After the intervention, there was a significant increase (twenty-four percent) in insulin initiation at the population level (Felicia, 2019).

During the year 2016, ADA, through a joint effort between them and the Ad Council, AMA, and CDC launched the Risk Test Campaign (Felicia, 2019). The campaign focused on promoting public awareness of the National DPP (Diabetes Prevention Program) and prediabetes to minimize the prevalence of T2D. Today, the American Diabetes Association manages the Risk Test Crusade. The program allows individuals to ascertain their prediabetes risks with th help of online tools that require around one minute to complete (Felicia, 2019). One can also conduct the assessment using paper format. The online assessment tool provides individuals with a significantly high prediabetes risk (score ≥5) with data on how to approach the issue with a physician and resources to enroll for an online or local National DPP (Felicia, 2019). People at a significantly low prediabetes risk (score <5) are typically provided with programs and information that promote healthy living, caregiver services and toolkits, invitations to regular rescreening and advocate tools. The American Diabetes Association aims to reach communities and populations that at a significantly high risk of Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes; this includes people aged between forty-five and sixty-five years and the ethnic minority populaces, for instance, African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans. Currently, the ADA is involving members, stakeholders, partners, and supporters through different ways, for example, community-based and health care provider outreach and social media platforms to ignite this campaign (Felicia, 2019).

 

Conclusion

 

Health promotion is a crucial concept that extends beyond the provision of health care. Health promotion aims to establish supportive environments, reinforce community actions, reorient health care services, and develop personal skills. Health promotion operates through active and concrete communities by setting priorities, planning and implementing strategies, and making decisions to sustain better health. Moreover, it encourages social and personal development by providing data, health education, and promoting life skills. Health education aims to provide health knowledge and information to communities and individuals and provide individuals with skills that enable them to embrace healthy behaviors voluntarily. Health promotion referral institutions such as the ADA employs different strategies such as the Risk Test campaign to improve health.

 

References

 

1. Chafjiri, R., Shirinkam, F., and Karimi, H. (2018). Investigating the effect of education on health-promoting lifestyle among the elderly of Ramsar in 2017. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 7(3), 612–617.

2. Felicia H. (2019). 2018 Health Care and Education Presidential Address: The American Diabetes Association in the Era of Health Care Transformation. Diabetes Care, 42(3): 352-358.

3. Kim, R. W., and Nahar, V. K. (2018). A Guide for Understanding Health Education and Promotion Programs. Health Promotion Practice, 19(2), 167–169. 4. Samara, A., Andersen, P. T., and Aro, A. R. (2019). Health Promotion and Obesity in the Arab Gulf States: Challenges and Good Practices. Journal of Obesity, 1–6.