Nursing Assignment: Hematologic Disorders

In the 1970s, the average lifespan for patients diagnosed with sickle cell disease was 14 years. Today, the average lifespan has increased to 50 years and beyond (TriHealth, 2012). The patient prognosis for many other hematologic disorders, such as hemophilia and cancer, continue to improve, as well. This can be attributed to advancements in medical care—specifically, drug therapy and treatment. When managing drug therapies for patients, it is essential to continually examine current treatments and evaluate the impact of patient factors on drug effectiveness. To prepare for your role as an advanced practice nurse, it is important for you to become familiar with common drug treatments for various hematologic disorders seen in clinical settings.

To prepare:

·         Review Chapter 20 of the Huether and McCance text and Chapter 49 and Chapter 50 of the Poole Arcangelo and Peterson text.

If your last name begins with the letters A–L:

·         Select one of the following hematologic disorders: anemia, cancer, white blood cell disorders, or thrombolytic disorders. Consider the pathophysiology, as well as the types of drugs that would be used to treat your selected disorder.

·         Select one of the following factors: age or behavior. Consider how your selected factor might impact the pathophysiology of the disorder. Then, reflect on how your selected factor might impact the effects of drug treatments, as well as measures you might take to help reduce any negative effects.

If your last name begins with the letters M–Z:

·         Select one of the following genetic hematologic disorders: sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, or hemophilia. Consider the pathophysiology, as well as the types of drugs that would be used to treat your selected disorder.

·         Select one of the following factors: gender or ethnicity. Consider how your selected factor might impact the pathophysiology of the disorder. Then, reflect on how your selected factor might impact the effects of drug treatments, as well as measures you might take to help reduce any negative side effects.

Questions to be addressed in my paper:

1.     A description of the hematologic disorder you selected, including its pathophysiology and types of drugs that would be prescribed to treat patients.

2.     Explain how the factor you selected might impact the pathophysiology of the disorder as well as the effects of prescribed drugs.

3.     Explain measures you might take to help reduce any negative side effects.

4.     Summary with Conclusion

REMINDERS:

1)      2-3 pages (addressing the 4 questions above excluding the title page and reference page).

2)      Kindly follow APA format for the citation and references! References should be between the period of 2011 and 2016. Please utilize the references at least three below as much as possible and the rest from yours.

3)     Make headings for each question.

References:

Readings

·         Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (2012). Understanding pathophysiology (Laureate custom ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

o    Chapter 19, “Structure and Function of the Hematologic System”

This chapter examines components of the hematologic system, development of blood cells, mechanisms of hemostasis, and hematologic value changes in pediatrics and geriatrics. It also focuses on common blood tests for hematologic disorders.

o    Chapter 20, “Alterations of Hematologic Function”

This chapter focuses on common alterations of hematologic function, including alterations of erythrocyte function, leukocyte function, lymphoid function, splenic function, platelets, and coagulation.

o    Chapter 21, “Alterations of Hematologic Function in Children”

This chapter expands on alterations of hematologic function by presenting disorders that affect children, such as disorders of erythrocytes, coagulation, and platelets.

   Poole Arcangelo, V., & Peterson, A. M. (Eds.). (2013). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (3rd ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.  

o    Chapter 49, “Anticoagulation Disturbances” 

This chapter covers drug therapy options for three disorders requiring anticoagulants: venous thromboembolism, atrial fibrillation, and ischemic stroke. It also explains the process of initiating and managing drug therapy for patients with these disorders.

o    Chapter 50, “Anemias”

This chapter examines causes of various types of anemia and associated cell alterations. It also explores types of drugs used for treatment and patient factors to consider when initiating drug therapy.

   Drugs.com. (2012). Retrieved from www.drugs.com

This website presents a comprehensive review of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including information on common uses and potential side effects. It also provides updates relating to new drugs on the market, support from health professionals, and a drug-drug interactions checker.

·         American Sickle Cell Anemia Association. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.ascaa.org/

·         Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Retrieved August 10, 2012, fromhttp://www.cdc.gov

·         Haymarket Media, Inc. (2012). Monthly prescribing reference [Online database]. Retrieved fromhttp://www.empr.com/

·         Institute for Safe Medication Practices. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.ismp.org/

·         Medscape. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/