The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) has determined nine broad areas of core competence that apply to all nurse practitioners, regardless of specialty or patient population focus. NONPF created the first set of Nurse Practitioner Competencies in 1990; the most recent updates were incorporated in 2017. This course was designed to prepare you to synthesize knowledge gained throughout the program and to apply each of the nine core competencies within your selected areas of practice and your representative communities.

The nine areas of competency are:

· Scientific Foundations

· Leadership

· Quality

· Practice Inquiry

· Technology and Information Literacy

· Policy

· Health Delivery System

· Ethics

· Independent Practice

TO PREPARE

· Review this week’s Learning Resources, focusing on the NONPF Core Competencies Content

THE ASSIGNMENT

For each of the nine NONPF competencies, write one paragraph explaining how the program has prepared you to meet the competency (for a total of at least nine paragraphs). Then, propose how you plan to engage in social change in your community as a nurse practitioner. Finally, describe 1–2 legislative and/or advocacy activities in which your state nurse practitioner organization(s) are involved. Be specific and provide examples.

The case study I was presented was “An 83-year-old resident of a skilled nursing facility presents to the emergency department with generalized edema of extremities and abdomen. History obtained from staff reveals the patient has a history of malabsorption syndrome and difficulty eating due to lack of dentures. The patient has been diagnosed with protein malnutrition”. 

When looking into protein malnutrition, protein energy-malnutrition is the most commonly seen terminology, or PEM, that is the result of starvation (with or without catabolic stress). PEM is considered a disease and is the result of chronic inadequate protein or energy intake not meeting the body’s needed intake of nutrients. In some cases, the loss of fat is reduced due to a slowed energy use accomplished by decreasing the metabolism and instead using the body’s storage of lean protein. Typically, the majority of the protein is released from muscle tissues and the kidneys, blood, immune cells, GI tract and liver are spared for the most part. In cases where the ration of energy and protein are not obsolete, the body can adapt to the environment by decreasing the energy and protein needed to sustain homeostasis. PEM results in “a lowered metabolic rate and reduced muscle mass (including reduced cardiac and respiratory muscle mass); its clinical consequences include muscle weakness and functional disability, reduced cardiac and respiratory capacity, mild hypothermia and a reduced body protein reserve” (Hoffer, 2001). In PEM, the extracellular fluid also shifts and can cause generalized edema. 

In consideration of protein malnutrition, there are two conditions that come up in various articles, Kwashiorkor and marasmus. “Kwashiorkor is predominantly a protein deficiency, while marasmus is a deficiency of all macronutrients — protein, carbohydrates and fats. People with marasmus are deprived of calories in general, either because they’re eating too little or expending too many, or both. People with kwashiorkor may not be deprived of calories in general but are deprived of protein-rich foods” (C.C. Medical, n.d.). In this case study, though the primary diagnoses is protein malnutrition, marasmus may be more fitting and in align with the physiologic problems this patient is facing. “For older adults, adverse health outcomes associated with malnutrition can often be more complex and disproportionally worse than outcomes associated with overweight or obesity. Malnutrition in older adults can lead to weight loss. Functional recovery from this weight loss is unlikely to occur due to the loss of skeletal muscle mass, even with full nutritional support” (Dent et. al, 2023).  “Marasmus is equally distributed between the genders, however, as a result of cultural differences in some parts of the world women may be at an increased risk of marasmus” (NCBI, 2023).

• Respectfully agree or disagree with your colleague’s assessment and
• Explain your reasoning. In your explanation, include why their explanations make physiological sense or why they do not. Support each of your replies with at least 0ne citation and reference.

Rubric

MY NUMBER ASSIGNED WAS 1 WHICH IS: Pre-Renal & Post Failure
 

Each student will be assigned a number randomly.  Whatever your number is, select the corresponding topic below, then post a minimum of 5 bullet points about the topic.
 

Your bullet points should address key components of the topic, such as what, how, who, & why.  This information should not be basic things you learned in Med/Surg, but rather advanced critical care based.
 

Think about this as a group effort to create a study guide. Use ONLY your textbook, but do not cut & paste from the book.
 

Then create, find, or borrow a test style question about your topic & post at the bottom of your bullet points. The format needs to be multiple choice or select all that apply. Think NCLEX style.
 

PART 2:

Part 2:

You will take a few minutes and ask 2 people about their personal coping mechanisms for dealing with the stress of working in healthcare during this unique time of Covid. Stress can be physical, emotional, spiritual, or any combination of triggers. Ask a diverse variety of people, don’t forget those in other departments at different points of hierarchy. For example, ask your unit manager, environmental services, volunteers, patients, fellow nurses, etc. Write 2-3 paragraphs on your findings and impressions while respecting the person’s identity.