search for a professional journal article related to a health and aging issue of interest to

the student.  For example, a student who wants to be a Physical Therapist may wish to

research a Physical Therapy journal and gain insight into a recent study on stroke

rehabilitation while a Nursing student may wish to research quality of care in acute care

settings. You are free to choose a journal article on a topic of your choosing that also

relates to health issues among the older population.  will be responsible for the

following:

please see the attached files for details and instructions. 

Eleanor Thompson, a 72-year-old woman, has been battling an aggressive form of ovarian cancer for the past three years. Despite undergoing multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, her condition has deteriorated, and she is now experiencing severe pain and suffering. Eleanor’s oncologist, Dr. Samuel Martinez, has presented the family with the option of another experimental treatment, but he has also suggested considering transitioning to palliative care. Eleanor’s family is deeply divided on the decision. Her eldest daughter, Maria, believes that every possible treatment should be pursued, holding onto hope for a miracle. She argues that her mother has always been a fighter and would want to continue the battle against her illness. On the other hand, Eleanor’s son, Michael, feels that his mother has suffered enough. He believes that transitioning to palliative care would allow her to spend her remaining days in comfort and peace. Caught in the middle is Eleanor’s husband of 50 years, Robert. He is torn between wanting to honor his wife’s fighting spirit, desiring to ease her pain, and the painful finality of either decision. The healthcare team must navigate a complex ethical landscape. Beneficence, the principle of doing good, pushes the team to consider what would truly benefit Eleanor in terms of quality of life. Non-maleficence, or “do no harm,” raises questions about the potential suffering Eleanor might endure with further aggressive treatments. Lastly, the principle of justice requires the team to treat Eleanor fairly and equitably, ensuring her needs are met regardless of family disagreements.
Using the case study above, answer the questions below.

1. Summarize the facts in the selected case study and use the three components of an ethical decision-making model to analyze an ethical problem or issue and the factors that contributed to it.
   • Identify which case study you selected and briefly summarize the facts surrounding it. Identify the problem or issue that presents an ethical dilemma or challenge and describe that dilemma or challenge.
   • Identify who is involved or affected by the ethical problem or issue.
   • Access the Ethical Decision-Making Model media piece and use the three components of the ethical decision-making model (moral awareness, moral judgment, and ethical behavior) to analyze the ethical issues.
     • Apply the three components outlined in the Ethical Decision-Making Model media.
   • Analyze the factors that contributed to the ethical problem or issue identified in the case study.
     • Describe the factors that contributed to the problem or issue and explain how they contributed.
2. Apply academic peer-reviewed journal articles relevant to an ethical problem or issue as evidence to support an analysis of the case.
   • In addition to the readings provided, use the Capella library to locate at least one academic peer-reviewed journal article relevant to the problem or issue that you can use to support your analysis of the situation. The NHS-FPX4000: Developing a Health Care Perspective Library Guide will help you locate appropriate references.
     • Cite and apply key principles from the journal article as evidence to support your critical thinking and analysis of the ethical problem or issue.
     • Review the Think Critically About Source Quality resource.
       • Assess the credibility of the information source.
       • Assess the relevance of the information source.
3. Discuss the effectiveness of the communication approaches present in a case study.
   • Describe how the health care professional in the case study communicated with others.
   • Assess instances where the professional communicated effectively or ineffectively.
   • Explain which communication approaches should be used and which ones should be avoided.
   • Describe the consequences of using effective and non-effective communication approaches.
4. Discuss the effectiveness of the approach used by a professional to deal with problems or issues involving ethical practice in a case study.
   • Describe the actions taken in response to the ethical dilemma or issue presented in the case study.
   • Summarize how well the professional managed professional responsibilities and priorities to resolve the problem or issue in the case.
   • Discuss the key lessons this case provides for health care professionals.
5. Apply ethical principles to a possible solution to an ethical problem or issue described in a case study.
   • Describe the proposed solution.
   • Discuss how the approach makes this professional more effective or less effective in building relationships across disciplines within his or her organization.
   • Discuss how likely it is the proposed solution will foster professional collaboration.
6. Write clearly and logically, with correct use of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.
   • Apply the principles of effective composition.
   • Determine the proper application of the rules of grammar and mechanics.
7. Write using APA style for in-text citations, quotes, and references.
   • Determine the proper application of APA formatting requirements and scholarly writing standards.
   • Integrate information from outside sources into academic writing by appropriately quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing, following APA style.

  

1 Discussion: Share your personal experience about Medical Terminology

• Contribute a minimum of 250 words for your initial post, formatted in APA.

Unit 8 Medications for Sleep Disorders —2 Peer Response 600w. due 10-25-23

Please read and respond to at least two of your peers' initial postings. You may want to consider the following questions in your responses to your peers:

• Compare and contrast your initial posting with those of your peers.

• How are they similar or how are they different?

• What information can you add that would help support the responses of your peers?

• Ask your peers a question for clarification about their post.

• What most interests you about their responses?

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with citations and references in APA format.

Ingrid A.

· There are multiple sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, hypersomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, and parasomnia which I think is “sleepwalking” or at least very similar to sleepwalking (Sleep Disorders, 2020).

Screening tools to diagnose sleep disorders can be just as gathering information from the patient, like history and physical. There are other screening tools such as actigraphy which is something like a watch the patient must wear and this tracks the movements the patient makes when sleeping and being awake (How is actigraphy used to evaluate sleep?, 2022)

Adding more we also have polysomnography also known as the “sleep study”, and this particular test records brain waves, oxygen level as well as heart rate (Polysomnography (Sleep Study) 2023). Epic (electronic health record) has something called the stop-bang questionnaire and it basically asks questions about snoring, blood pressure, and the size of the neck. There is also something called the Athens Insomnia Scale and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (Sleep disorders: Clinical tools, 2023).

Z-drugs such as zolpidem, zopiclone, and zaleplon are innovative hypnotics that aid with sleep, reduce sleep latency, and improve quality. These drugs are prescription dispensed only and they work by slowing the activity in the brain (Commissioner, 2023).

Benzodiazepines are medications such as lorazepam, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and clonazepam among others that can have potential side effects such as respiratory depression, drowsiness, impaired judgment, nausea and vomiting, confusion, addiction, and even respiratory distress (Brandt & Leong, 2017).

References:

Brandt, J., & Leong, C. (2017). Benzodiazepines – statpearls – NCBI bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470159/

Commissioner, O. of the. (2023). Taking z-drugs for insomnia? know the risks. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/taking-z-drugs-insomnia-know-risks

How is actigraphy used to evaluate sleep?. Sleep Foundation. (2022, May 10). https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-studies/actigraphy

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, February 17). Polysomnography (Sleep Study). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/polysomnography/about/pac-20394877#:~:text=Polysomnography%2C%20known%20as%20a%20sleep,measures%20eye%20and%20leg%20movements.

Sleep disorders: Clinical tools. CAMH. (2023). https://www.camh.ca/en/professionals/treating-conditions-and-disorders/sleep-disorders/sleep-disorders—clinical-tools

U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2020, January 3). Sleep disorders. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/sleepdisorders.html

Mojgan A

Week 8, Medications for Sleep Disorders

What screening tools can be used to affirm your initial diagnosis that a patient may meet the diagnostic criteria for a sleep disorder?

        There are different tools for assessing sleep disorders. Among various rating scales, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was specifically designed to evaluate overall sleep quality and is among the recommended questionnaires for examining global sleep patterns and symptoms related to insomnia (Zitser et al., 2022). It is a self-report questioner and will assess the sleep quality over one month. Another useful scale is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), which is a questionnaire designed to assess daytime sleepiness. A higher score on the ESS suggests the need for further evaluation for possible sleep disorders (Clinical application of headache impact test (HIT)-6 and Epworth Sleepiness Scale, 2023).

        According to the literature, the gold standard for monitoring sleep and breathing is polysomnography (PSG). PSG observes various physiological factors during sleep, including brain activity, eye movement, heart rate, and muscle activity. It involves the use of special bands around the chest and abdomen, as well as sensors for temperature and airflow in the nose. PSG also utilizes a device to measure airflow and sensors for air pressure in the airway. However, it's important to note that these methods can be invasive and time-consuming to set up and understand (Naik et al., 2023). Home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) is a simplified version of PSG that can be conducted at home and offers several potential benefits compared to traditional PSG, such as increased accessibility, quicker treatment initiation, and cost savings (Johns et al., 2022).

Describe the pharmacological actions of non-z sleep medications?

       Non-benzodiazepine (non-Z) sleep medications, such as zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and zaleplon (Sonata), function by enhancing the activity of the neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the central nervous system. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and facilitates sleep. One key distinction between benzodiazepine medications and non-Z medications is their selectivity in targeting GABA receptors (Stahl, 2021).

       Benzodiazepines act on various GABA receptor subunits (including alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 3 and alpha 5 receptors) nonselectively. Benzodiazepines acting on alpha2 and alpha3 receptor subtypes have effects that reduce anxiety, promote muscle relaxation, and enhance the effects of alcohol. On the other hand, the alpha5 subtype, found in the hippocampus, may be implicated in cognitive processes. As a result, benzodiazepines are employed for the treatment of sleep disorders, seizure disorders, and anxiety disorders due to their broader spectrum of activity (Stahl, 2021).

        In contrast, non-Z medications selectively target alpha 1 receptors, which are primarily associated with the sleep process. Therefore, non-Z medications are specifically designed to induce and improve sleep without affecting the full spectrum of GABA receptors. Another distinction to note is that benzodiazepines typically have longer half-lives, which means they remain in the body for a more extended period compared to non-Z medications. This difference in half-life can have implications for factors such as prolong sedation and potential for dependence or withdrawal when using these medications. Non- Z medications are usually used for short amount of time and do not cause dependence or withdrawal symptoms (Stahl, 2021).

What problems can occur when benzodiazepines are used to help with sleep?

        Benzodiazepines are potent medications known for their effectiveness, but they come with a range of significant concerns and potential problems. They have sedative properties, leading to drowsiness and increased sleepiness in patients. Additionally, benzodiazepines exhibit a prolonged half-life, resulting in an extended duration of action within the body, which can impact a patient's overall quality of life. These medications have been associated with several adverse effects (Stahl, 2021).

        Benzodiazepines can impair cognitive function, memory, and coordination, potentially leading to accidents and reduced overall performance. A major concern with benzodiazepines is the development of tolerance. Over time, patients may require higher doses to achieve the same therapeutic effect. This can lead to physical and psychological dependence, as patients become addicted to the sedative properties of the medication (Stahl, 2021).

        Abruptly discontinuing benzodiazepines can result in unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, which can be challenging for patients. One study by Ritvo et al. (2023) revealed that over 40% of the respondents reported experiencing 17 or more symptoms persisting for at least one year after discontinuing their use of benzodiazepines. Common side effects associated with benzodiazepines include dizziness, drowsiness, and coordination problems, which can be especially problematic for individuals who need to remain alert and functional. It's essential to be mindful of potential drug interactions, as benzodiazepines can interact with other medications, potentially affecting their effectiveness or causing unexpected side effects (Stahl, 2021)

        Given these concerns, it is advisable to use benzodiazepines cautiously and only for short durations. When discontinuing their use, a slow tapering approach is often recommended to minimize the risk of withdrawal symptoms. This ensures that the benefits of these medications are balanced against the potential risks and adverse effects they may cause.

References

Clinical application of headache impact test (HIT)-6 and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) for sleep apnea headache. (2023). 
Sleep Science and Practice, 7, 1-9. 
https://doi.org/10.1186/s41606-023-00084-2Links to an external site.

Johns, J. D., Armin, M., Alexandra, W., Jeffrey, K. H., Mikula, S. K., & Hoa, M. (2022). Reliability of home sleep apnea testing for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea in patients with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks. 
Cureus, 14(10)

https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.29854

Naik, G. R., Breen, P. P., Jayarathna, T., Tong, B. K., Eckert, D. J., & Gargiulo, G. D. (2023). Morphic sensors for respiratory parameters estimation: Validation against overnight polysomnography.
 Biosensors, 13(7), 703. 
https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13070703Links to an external site.

Ritvo, A. D., Foster, D. E., Huff, C., Reid Finlayson, ,A.J., Silvernail, B., & Martin, P. R. (2023). Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A survey.
 PLoS One, 18(6) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0285584

Stahl, S. M. (2021). 
Stahl’s essential psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical application (5th ed.).

Zitser, J., Allen, I. E., Falgàs, N., Le, M. M., Neylan, T. C., Kramer, J. H., & Walsh, C. M. (2022). Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) responses are modulated by total sleep time and wake after sleep onset in healthy older adults.
 PLoS one, 17 (6) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270095

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