NURS 6501 Week 9 Knowledge Check: Psychological Disorders

NURS 6501 Week 9 Knowledge Check: Psychological Disorders – Step-by-Step Guide

The first step before starting to write the NURS 6501 Week 9 Knowledge Check: Psychological Disorders, 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 9 Knowledge Check: Psychological Disorders

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 9 Knowledge Check: Psychological Disorders

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 9 Knowledge Check: Psychological Disorders

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 9 Knowledge Check: Psychological Disorders

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 9 Knowledge Check: Psychological Disorders

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 9 Knowledge Check: Psychological Disorders

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. 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.

NURS 6501 Week 9 Knowledge Check: Psychological Disorders Instructions

In this exercise, you will complete a 5-essay type question Knowledge Check to gauge your understanding of this module’s content. Have a look at NURS 6501 Week 10 Knowledge Check: Women’s and Men’s Health, Infections, and Hematologic Disorders.

Possible topics covered in this Knowledge Check include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Depression
• Bipolar disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Delirium and dementia
• Obsessive compulsive disease

Scenario 1: Schizophrenia

A 22-year-old female student was brought to her college student health department by her boyfriend. He was concerned about the changes in her behavior. The boyfriend noted that she has been hearing voices, and seeing things that are not there. She also thinks that there are people that want to harm her. She told her family that she cannot finish college as the voices told her to quit because she is “dumb”.  The boyfriend relates episodes of unexpected rage and crying.

PMH:  noncontributory

FH: positive for a first cousin who “had mental problems”.

SH: Denies current drug abuse but states he smoked marijuana every day during junior and senior years of high school. Admits to drinking heavily on weekends at various fraternity houses.

PE: thin, anxious disheveled female who, during conversations, stops talking, tilts her head and appears to be listening to something. There is poor eye contact and conversation is disjointed. 

DIAGOSIS: schizophrenia.  

Questions

1.     What are known characteristics of schizophrenia and relate those to this patient.  

Scenario 1: Schizophrenia

A 22-year-old female student was brought to her college student health department by her boyfriend. He was concerned about the changes in her behavior. The boyfriend noted that she has been hearing voices, and seeing things that are not there. She also thinks that there are people that want to harm her. She told her family that she cannot finish college as the voices told her to quit because she is “dumb”.  The boyfriend relates episodes of unexpected rage and crying.

PMH:  noncontributory

FH: positive for a first cousin who “had mental problems”.

SH: Denies current drug abuse but states he smoked marijuana every day during junior and senior years of high school. Admits to drinking heavily on weekends at various fraternity houses.

PE: thin, anxious disheveled female who, during conversations, stops talking, tilts her head and appears to be listening to something. There is poor eye contact and conversation is disjointed. 

DIAGOSIS: schizophrenia.  

Question:

1.     Genetics are sometimes attached to schizophrenia explain this.

Scenario 1: Schizophrenia

A 22-year-old female student was brought to her college student health department by her boyfriend. He was concerned about the changes in her behavior. The boyfriend noted that she has been hearing voices, and seeing things that are not there. She also thinks that there are people that want to harm her. She told her family that she cannot finish college as the voices told her to quit because she is “dumb”.  The boyfriend relates episodes of unexpected rage and crying.

PMH:  noncontributory

FH: positive for a first cousin who “had mental problems”.

SH: Denies current drug abuse but states he smoked marijuana every day during junior and senior years of high school. Admits to drinking heavily on weekends at various fraternity houses.

PE: thin, anxious disheveled female who, during conversations, stops talking, tilts her head and appears to be listening to something. There is poor eye contact and conversation is disjointed. 

DIAGOSIS: schizophrenia.  

Question:

What roles do neurotransmitters play in the development of schizophrenia?

Scenario 1: Schizophrenia

A 22-year-old female student was brought to her college student health department by her boyfriend. He was concerned about the changes in her behavior. The boyfriend noted that she has been hearing voices, and seeing things that are not there. She also thinks that there are people that want to harm her. She told her family that she cannot finish college as the voices told her to quit because she is “dumb”.  The boyfriend relates episodes of unexpected rage and crying.

PMH:  noncontributory

FH: positive for a first cousin who “had mental problems”.

SH: Denies current drug abuse but states he smoked marijuana every day during junior and senior years of high school. Admits to drinking heavily on weekends at various fraternity houses.

PE: thin, anxious disheveled female who, during conversations, stops talking, tilts her head and appears to be listening to something. There is poor eye contact and conversation is disjointed. 

DIAGOSIS: schizophrenia.  

Questions:

Explain what structural abnormalities are seen in people with schizophrenia

A 44-year-old female  came to the clinic today brought in by her husband. He notes that she has been with various states of depression and irritability over the past 3 months with extreme fatigue, has lost 20 pounds and has insomnia. He has come home from work to find his wife sitting in front of the TV and not moving for hours. In the past few days, she suddenly has become very hyperactive, has been talking incessantly, has been easily distracted and seems to “flit from one thing to another.”. She hasn’t slept in 3 days. The wife went on an excessive shopping spree for new clothes that resulted in their credit card being denied for exceeding the line of credit. The wife is unable to sit in the exam room and is currently pacing the hallway muttering to herself and is reluctant to talk with or be examined the ARNP. Physical observation shows agitated movements, rapid fire speech, and hyperactivity. 

DIAGNOSIS: bipolar type 2 disorder. 

Question

1.     How does genetics play in the development of bipolar 2 disorders? 

NURS 6501 Week 9 Knowledge Check: Psychological Disorders Sample Approach

Known Characteristics of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic, recurring psychotic illness that usually begins in early adult life and can progress in one’s lifetime. The known characteristics of this disorder include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thoughts, and paranoia (Liu et al., 2021). The patient, in our case, has been having both auditory and visual hallucinations, as the boyfriend reports that she has been hearing voices and seeing things that are not there.

Again, during the conversation, she tilts her head as if she is listening to someone. Besides that, the patient also has persecutory delusions since she believes that there are people who want to harm her. In addition, the patient also has paranoia as the boyfriend relates episodes of unexpected rage and crying, as well as a general change in behavior. During the interview, her conversation is disjointed, suggesting that she has disorganized thoughts.

Attachment of Genetics to Schizophrenia

According to a study by Greenwood et al. (2019), schizophrenia has a prevalence of approximately 1% and a heritability of 80%. Heritability of eleven neurophysiological and neurocognitive endophenotypes that are related to key domains such as learning, executive function, social cognition, and complex cognition has been reported by the Consortium on the Genetics of Schizophrenia.

The endophenotypes are intrinsic to the clinical presentation of schizophrenia. Genes related to the glutamate and neuregulin signaling pathways have been implicated in this condition. These genes can therefore be passed to the offspring. This explains why those with a family history of schizophrenia are at increased risk of developing the condition. Our patient has a first cousin with mental problems.

Role of Neurotransmitters In The Development of Schizophrenia

A neurotransmitter is a substance that is produced at the end of a nerve fiber by the arrival of an impulse and through the junction or synapse, it transfers the impulse to another nerve fiber. Neurotransmitters play a vital role in the development of schizophrenia. Some of the implicated ones include dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and glutamate. They transmit nerve signals in the brain that control various emotions.

Interference with every neurotransmitter, therefore, triggers a different symptom of schizophrenia as it acts in a different part of the brain (Bansal & Chatterjee, 2021).  Dopamine, for example, controls one’s thinking, actions, and movement. Interference with this neurotransmitter will lead to schizophrenia symptoms. It is the most implicated neurotransmitter in schizophrenia.

Structural Abnormalities Seen in People With Schizophrenia

People with schizophrenia have reductions in cerebral volume. The reduction is bilateral and widespread. The reductions are largely seen in the frontotemporal areas, the medial brain structures, and the lateral occipital cortex. In addition, they also show cortical thinning in the parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes. Gyrification studies have also shown a reduced gyrification index in the temporal, frontal, and parietal lobes. Gyrification refers to the amount of cortex buried within the sulcal folds compared to the amount of cortex visible in the circular regions of interest (Madre et al., 2020).  Besides that, the brain surface area is reduced as well.

Genetics In The Development of Bipolar 2 Disorders

This condition is characterized by at least one hypomanic and one major depressive episode. The heritability of this condition is estimated at 85%. Studies have shown that bipolar type 2 has a closer genetic association with major depressive disorder. Genetic factors strongly influence the development of his condition. However, relatives of those with bipolar type 2 may not show any affective disorder. Mutations of the GOLBB1 gene are what is responsible for the development of this condition (Liu et al., 2022).

References

Bansal, V., & Chatterjee, I. (2021). View of Role of neurotransmitters in schizophrenia: a comprehensive study. Journalskuwait.org. https://journalskuwait.org/kjs/index.php/KJS/article/view/9264/447

Greenwood, T. A., Lazzeroni, L. C., Maihofer, A. X., Swerdlow, N. R., Calkins, M. E., Freedman, R., Green, M. F., Light, G. A., Nievergelt, C. M., Nuechterlein, K. H., Radant, A. D., Siever, L. J., Silverman, J. M., Stone, W. S., Sugar, C. A., Tsuang, D. W., Tsuang, M. T., Turetsky, B. I., Gur, R. C., … Braff, D. L. (2019). Genome-wide association of endophenotypes for schizophrenia from the Consortium on the Genetics of schizophrenia (COGS) study. JAMA Psychiatry (Chicago, Ill.), 76(12), 1274–1284. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.2850

Liu, R., Fang, X., Yu, L., Wang, D., Wu, Z., Guo, C., Teng, X., Ren, J., & Zhang, C. (2021). Gender differences of schizophrenia patients with and without depressive symptoms in clinical characteristics. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 792019. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.792019

Liu, F.-R., Zhou, Y., Wang, Y., Huang, L.-L., Zhang, X., Luo, H., Wu, S.-Y., Lyu, H.-Y., Huang, L.-H., Xu, H., & Zhang, Y.-W. (2022). Pedigree-based study to identify GOLGB1 as a risk gene for bipolar disorder. Translational Psychiatry, 12(1), 390. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-022-02163-x

Madre, M., Canales-Rodríguez, E. J., Fuentes-Claramonte, P., Alonso-Lana, S., Salgado-Pineda, P., Guerrero-Pedraza, A., Moro, N., Bosque, C., Gomar, J. J., Ortíz-Gil, J., Goikolea, J. M., Bonnin, C. M., Vieta, E., Sarró, S., Maristany, T., McKenna, P. J., Salvador, R., & Pomarol-Clotet, E. (2020). Structural abnormality in schizophrenia versus bipolar disorder: A whole brain cortical thickness, surface area, volume and gyrification analyses. NeuroImage Clinical, 25(102131), 102131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl.2019.102131