Reference no: EM133500036
Pharmacology and Pathophysiology in Health
Topic - Polycystic ovarian syndrome and Metformin
Purpose of assignment:
• Improve knowledge of homeostasis and how disruption may lead to a specific disease/disorder
• Understand and articulate how drug therapies address a particular pathophysiology
• Identify drug mode of action, indications, contraindications, potential interactions, adverse effects and therapeutic outcomes
• Learn how to integrate knowledge and present ideas logically and concisely
• Develop written communication skills
• Develop and improve critical thinking skills
Task overview and topic selection:
For this assessment, you will produce an essay that describes the pathophysiology of a specific disease or condition, as well as present the pharmacology that is used to address this. Your will need to focus on the disease/disorder plus pharmacology that you have selected using the StudyDesk Topic Selection activity.
You will then research your specific disease/disorder and the indicated pharmacology. From this you are to write an essay that describes the affected system (the normal physiology), what has gone wrong to cause the disease (the pathophysiology), and then how the related pharmacology is used to address this. Your essay is to be targeted towards an educated audience (for example, your peers in the Course).
Structure and components of the assignment:
Students will work individually to prepare an original essay on their chosen topic. The essay must be no longer than 1500 words (with a +10% leeway - you may submit a report that is more than 10% under the word limit, but this may be too brief and you will not be addressing the requirements).
In addition to the text and general information, figures and illustrations can be very important tools to convey complex information to your audience. You are welcome - and encouraged - to utilise appropriate illustrations to support your text. Just remember that your text must refer to your figures/illustrations, and any figures or illustrations must also be appropriately referenced.
What to include in your essay:
Your essay should include (but is not limited to):
• A summary/abstract (250 words maximum that does not count towards the 1500 word limit of the essay itself) that succinctly summarises the essays content.
o Your summary/abstract should follow the format of: introduction, summary of the main points/discussion in your essay, including the normal physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology, and then finish with a short conclusion.
o NOTE: references are not included with this
• An introduction and brief overview of the normal physiology and homeostasis of the system that is relevant to your chosen topic (Note that a thesis statement is NOT required)
• The pathophysiology and the mechanisms leading to the disease/disorder
• The pharmacology related to the treatment of the disease/disorder
o This must also include at least one specific drug example that addresses:
• Drug naming (chemical, generic, and proprietary)
• Mechanism of action (pharmacodynamics)
• Pharmacokinetics
• Route of administration
• Indications, contraindications, precautions and side effects
• You should also consider any other important aspects that may be relevant to your topic, for example:
o Are there any important drug interactions (other medications, natural products, etc) that patients should be aware of?
o Are there any lifestyle, exercise, therapy, or other physical considerations that are relevant? (for example, is the age of the patient a factor? BMI? Comorbidities? Polypharmacy? etc)
• The relevance of the disorder and pharmacology to clinical practice must also be clear
o This may be in any relevant context, but ideally your field of study (nursing, sports exercise, etc)
o For example, consider how you would apply your knowledge of the topic to your field in a clinical setting. How would this improve how you operate? How will this affect the clinical outcomes? How will this knowledge help you provide patient centred care? etc
• Conclusions
You will need to write and submit a short (250 word) summary with your essay. This should succinctly summarise the essay's content. It should follow the format of: introduction, summary of the main points/discussion (including the normal physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology) and finish with a short conclusion.
Topics (100 students MAX for each):
1. Cerebral palsy and benzodiazepines
2. Polycystic ovarian syndrome and Metformin
3. Emphysema and bronchodilators
4. Septicaemia and antibiotics
5. Phantom limb pain and tricyclic antidepressants
6. Colorectal cancer and two (2) current clinical trails