NURS90075 Applications of Clinical Pharmacology Assessment

Mrs S. Koomal (she/her) is a 58-year-old Indigenous woman who lives in a public community housing with her adult son. Mrs Koomal has a complex health profile and is currently receiving various support services from a local community health organisation (e.g. Co health). Her medical histories include type 2 diabetes, emphysema, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, anxiety and depression, and obesity. Her medications include the following:

• Glyxambi (empagliflozin 10mg and linagliptin 5mg orally, once daily)
• Bispro (bisoprolol 5mg orally, once daily)
• Renagel (sevelamer 800mg orally, three times daily)
• Breo Ellipta (fluticasone furoate 100 mcg and vilanterol 25 mcg, 1 inhalation once daily)
• Celapram (citalopram 40mg orally, once daily)
• Valium (diazepam 5mg orally, twice daily when required) 

Due to her poorly controlled diabetes, the doctor at the community health center has prescribed a new medication, Ozempic (Semaglutide 0.25mg/0.5mg per dose, 1.5mL prefilled pen, subcutaneous). The dose prescribed was 0.25mg until review. When Mrs Koomal’s son went to fill the prescription, the pharmacy staff did not provide any counselling on how to administer the Ozempic. Hence, Mrs Koomal has been administering the Ozempic everyday (0.25mg once daily). After two weeks, Mrs Koomal and her son visited the community health center for a general follow-up. When you (nurse) measured her blood glucose level (BGL), the reading showed 3mmol/L. At the same time, Mrs Koomal told you that she has been feeling dizzy and weak over the last week. Mrs Koomal and her son are now referred for education in relation to her medication management.

Purpose of the task 

The purpose of this task is to critically analyse the patient scenario in the context of pharmacology and apply the principles of the Quality Use of Medicines to develop an education session that covers medication management aspect for the patient, family member or the carer. In critical analysis of the patient scenario, you will apply scientific judgement, and contemporary evidence from a range of sources to underpin the use of pharmacological therapies and management of medication regimes. You are expected to integrate evidence from a variety of information sources including the peer-reviewed literature, clinical practice guidelines and the Australian Quality Use of Medicines Framework.

This task will expand your knowledge of medications regarding the basic principles of pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and will assist you in developing an education session that covers medication management aspect for the patient, family member or the carer. This task should be written in an essay-like format with full sentences, paragraphs, and references.

Criteria

A complete response will include a clear introduction, essay body divided into sections, and a conclusion.

• Introduction sets the context and diverse perspectives. It outlines the findings of the patient scenario and clearly and succinctly describes the structure and purpose of the assignment focusing on the pharmacology, Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) Framework, education, and medication management.
• Body critically analyses the patient scenario in relation to pharmacology and the QUM Framework. Applies the principles of the QUM to develop an education session that covers medication management aspect for the patient.  Utilises the relevant evidence to the patient scenario, applies theoretical perspectives to practice and makes clear recommendations for further research.  Examines the patient scenario findings in a unified and structured manner and considers the quality of the evidence and similarity of patients studied compared to the patient scenario given. The body needs to be divided into sections with headings and subheadings where appropriate. The ideas expressed in the body of the assignment should follow a logical progression. A structured approach using subheadings for the areas discussed can be helpful for the author (to order your thoughts) and for the reader (they serve as signposts for the direction of the content). A logical, rational argument also depends on appropriate sentence and paragraph construction. Paraphrase previous work wherever possible rather than using direct quotes. However, direct quotes can be used to emphasise key issues. Avoid long quotes as they interrupt the flow of your discussion.
• Conclusion provides a comprehensive summary of the patient scenario, reiterates the paper’s main findings and outlines limitations.
• Use double spacing and avoid single or triple spacing between paragraphs.
• Use a minimum of eight different references (peer-review articles, text-books, clinical guidelines, policies, professional websites) in APA 7th referencing style.