18 Jan • Explain the diagnostic criteria

NURS6670 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role II

Week 1 Discussion

Interview Format

Despite what you may believe (or may have been told), there is no such thing as one “right” way to do an interview. In fact, there are numerous books written about the various ways of conducting the clinical interview. In actual clinical practice, you will find the format that “works” best for you and addresses your unique strengths and the needs of the client.

In this Discussion, you will practice finding the interview format that works for you and share those ideas with your colleagues for feedback.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Develop formats for initial interviews of mental health clients

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts and cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review the Learning Resources.

• Develop an interview format you would use for an initial interview of a client.

• Attach the interview format document you would use for an initial interview of a client.

• Describe what interview format your preceptor uses for the initial interview of a client.

• Describe which element of your interview format is most helpful in your practice.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues by constructively critiquing their interview format and providing feedback.

NURS6670 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role II

Week 3 Discussion

Treatment of Personality Disorders

Personality disorders occur in 10–20% of the population. They are difficult to treat as individuals with personality disorders are less likely to seek help than individuals with other mental health disorders. Treatment can be challenging as they do not see their symptoms as painful to themselves or others.

In this Discussion, you will explore personality disorders in greater detail and discuss treatment options using evidence-based research.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze diagnostic criteria for personality disorders

• Analyze evidence-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatments for personality disorders

• Analyze clinical features of clients with personality disorders

• Align clinical features with DSM-5 criteria

• Compare differential diagnostic features of personality disorders

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!

To prepare for this Discussion:

• By Day 5 of Week 2, your Instructor will have assigned you a personality disorder, which will be your focus for your initial post for this Discussion.

• Review the Learning Resources.

By Day 3

Post:

• Explain the diagnostic criteria for your assigned personality disorder.

• Explain the evidenced-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatment for your assigned personality disorder.

• Describe clinical features from a client that led you to believe this client had this disorder. Align the clinical features with the DSM-5 criteria.

• Support your rationale with references to the Learning Resources or other academic resources.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues by comparing the differential diagnostic features of the disorder you were assigned to the diagnostic features of the disorder your colleagues were assigned. What are their similarities and differences? How might you differentiate the two diagnoses?

NURS6670 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role II

Week 4 Discussion

Clinical Supervision – Kaltura

Substance use disorders are complicated psychiatric and medical conditions that involve physical addiction as well as psychological or emotional dependence. Substance use disorders are some of the most difficult to treat. It takes a great deal of patience on the part of the provider and the client. It may take several attempts before a client is successfully able to “kick the habit.” Your guidance and patience can help the client to persevere through difficult times during the journey to recovery.

Clinical Supervision is an essential component of your development as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. It provides an opportunity for professional collaboration as you share experiences with and gain insights from colleagues. For this Clinical Supervision, consider a client with a substance abuse disorder whom you do not think is adequately progressing according to expected clinical outcomes.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze clients presenting for treatment of substance-related and addictive disorders

• Evaluate effectiveness of therapeutic approaches for clients diagnosed with substance-related and addictive disorders

• Recommend treatment plans

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review this week’s Learning Resources concerning treating patients with substance-related and addictive disorders.

• Reflect on a client you are currently counseling or have previously counseled at your practicum site who has been diagnosed with substance-related and addictive disorders.

By Day 3

Post a 3- to 5-minute Kaltura video in which you do the following:

• Describe the client. Note: Do not use the client’s actual name.

• Explain your therapeutic approach with the client, including the perceived effectiveness of your approach.

• Identify any additional information about this client that may potentially impact expected outcomes.

• Provide specific recommendations for the client to help them in determining why they are not progressing and what your suggested treatment plan consists of. It is useful to consult the Prochaska and DiClement model.

Note: Nurse practitioners must have strong oral communication skills. This Discussion is designed to help you hone these skills. When filming your Kaltura video, be sure to dress and speak in a professional manner.

View a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues by suggesting an alternate therapeutic approach. Support your feedback with evidence-based literature and/or your own experiences with clients.

NURS6670 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role II

Week 6 Discussion

Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are common in both primary care and psychiatric practice. Clients with anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorders, agoraphobia, and other specific phobias will present to the PMHNP’s office with a significant level of distress. Successful recognition and treatment of anxiety disorders includes an accurate diagnostic assessment with a treatment plan that includes a combination of psychopharmacology and psychotherapy. Although psychoanalytic theories are based on the concept of anxiety, the more recent standard of care is with the cognitive-behavioral therapies.

In this Discussion, you will analyze evidence-based treatment plans for clients with anxiety disorders.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze differences between adjustments disorders and anxiety disorders

• Analyze diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders

• Analyze evidence-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatment for anxiety disorders

• Compare differential diagnostic features of anxiety disorders

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts and cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!

To prepare for this Discussion:

• By Day 5 of Week 5, your Instructor will have assigned you an anxiety disorder, which will be your focus for your initial post for this Discussion.

• Review the Learning Resources.

By Day 3

Post:

• Explain the difference between an adjustment disorder and anxiety disorder. Provide examples to illustrate your rationale.

• Explain the diagnostic criteria for your assigned anxiety disorder.

• Explain the evidenced-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatment for your assigned anxiety disorder.

• Support your rationale with references to the Learning Resources or other academic resource.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues by comparing the differential diagnostic features of the disorder you were assigned to the diagnostic features of the disorder your colleagues were assigned.

NURS6670 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role II

Week 8 Discussion

Treatment of Neurocognitive Disorders

Neurocognitive disorders (NCD) such as delirium, dementia, and amnestic disorders are more prevalent in older adults. As the population ages and as life expectancy in the United States continues to increase, the incidence of these disorders will continue to increase. Cognitive functioning such as memory, language, orientation, judgment, and problem solving are affected in clients with NCDs. Caring for someone with a neurocognitive disorder is not only challenging for the clinician, but also stressful for the family. The PMHNP needs to consider not only the client but also the “family as client.” Collaboration with primary care providers and specialty providers is essential. Anticipatory guidance also becomes extremely important.

In this Discussion, you will integrate several sources of knowledge specific to NCDs as you discuss evidenced-based therapies used to treat these disorders.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze diagnostic criteria for neurocognitive disorders

• Analyze evidence-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatment for neurocognitive disorders

• Evaluate benefits and risks of neurocognitive therapies

• Compare differential diagnostic features of neurocognitive disorders

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!

To prepare for this Discussion:

• By Day 5 of Week 7, your Instructor will have assigned you a neurocognitive disorder, which will be the focus for your initial post for this Discussion.

• Review the Learning Resources.

By Day 3

Post:

• Explain the diagnostic criteria for your assigned neurocognitive disorder.

• Explain the evidenced-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatment for your assigned neurocognitive disorder.

• Identify the risks of different types of therapy and explain how the benefits of the therapy that might be achieved might outweigh the risks.

• Support your rationale with references to the Learning Resources or other academic resource.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues by comparing the differential diagnostic features of the disorder you were assigned to the diagnostic features of the disorder your colleagues were assigned.

NURS6670 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role II

Week 10 Discussion

Treatment of Sleep/Wake Disorders

The power of sleep to heal the body cannot be underestimated. Most research indicates that 7–8 hours of sleep are a minimum that people need to stay healthy. Clients who come to the PMHNP’s office frequently complain of sleep problems. It is estimated that 10–20% of patients report some type of sleeping problem.

In this Discussion, you will analyze the diagnostic criteria and evidence-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatment for sleep/wake disorders.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze diagnostic criteria for sleep/wake disorders

• Analyze evidence-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatment for sleep/wake disorders

• Analyze criteria for referring clients to primary care physicians for treatment of sleep/wake disorders

• Compare differential diagnostic features of sleep/wake disorders

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!

To prepare for this Discussion:

• By Day 5 of Week 9, your Instructor will have assigned you a sleep/wake disorder, which will be the focus of your original post for this Discussion.

• Review the Learning Resources.

• Explain the diagnostic criteria for your assigned sleep/wake disorder.

• Explain the evidenced-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatment for your assigned sleep/wake disorder.

• Describe at what point you would refer the client to their primary care physician for an additional referral to a neurologist, pulmonologist, or physician specializing in sleep disorders and explain why.

• Support your rationale with references to the Learning Resources or other academic resource.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues by comparing the differential diagnostic features of the disorder you were assigned to the diagnostic features of the disorder your colleagues were assigned.

NURS6670 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Role II

Week 11 Discussion

Assessment and Treatment of Gender Dysphoria, Paraphilic Disorders, and Sexual Dysfunction

Sexuality is an important part of each person’s quality of life. Research indicates that awareness of sexual identity and its importance may begin as early as age 3. However, individuals with varying diagnoses, disorders, or dysfunctions may grapple with issues related to their sexuality in their teen years, as well as into adulthood.

In this Discussion, you will explore the assessment and treatment of gender dysphoria, paraphilic disorders, and sexual dysfunction.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze diagnostic criteria for gender dysphoria, paraphilic disorders and sexual dysfunction

• Analyze evidence-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatments for gender/sexual disorders

• Compare differential diagnostic features of gender/sexual disorders

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Select a gender dysphoria, paraphilic disorder, or sexual dysfunction that interests you.

• Review the Learning Resources.

By Day 3

Post:

• Explain the diagnostic criteria for the gender dysphoria, paraphilic disorder, or sexual dysfunction you selected.

• Explain the evidenced-based psychotherapy and psychopharmacologic treatment for the gender dysphoria, paraphilic disorder, or sexual dysfunction you selected.

• Support your rationale with references to the Learning Resources or other academic resource.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues by comparing the differential diagnostic features of the disorder you selected to the diagnostic features of the disorder your colleagues were assigned.

Submission and Grading Information