Week 11: Discussion 1: Cancer and Women’s and Men’s Health

Week 11: Women’s and Men’s Health
Similar to other disorders that you have explored throughout this course, those of the reproductive system can result in alterations and symptoms that overlap with disorders in other body systems. Consider a patient presenting with pelvic and abdominal pain. The underlying root of the pain could be related to disorders of organs in the reproductive system, the gastrointestinal system, or both. Once you identify the underlying cause of pain or other symptoms, you must carefully diagnose patients. Since the reproductive system’s ultimate function is to bear children, related disorders can have a significant impact on patients—both physically and emotionally. As with any disorder, diagnoses must be made with care because a misdiagnosis can cause undue stress and pain for patients.
This week, you examine the pathophysiology of reproductive system disorders, such as cancers associated with women’s and men’s health. You also explore drug treatments and preventive services for women’s and men’s health.
Additionally, in this final week, you explore the pathophysiology and pharmacokinetic processes of body systems in pediatric and geriatric patients. You also examine benefits and limitations of prescribing drugs in these patient groups.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
• Analyze the pathophysiology of cancers associated with women’s and men’s health
• Analyze drug treatments for cancer patients
• Evaluate implications of cancer drug treatments on patients
• Analyze preventive services for women’s and men’s health
• Analyze the pathophysiology of body systems in select patient groups
• Analyze the pharmacokinetic processes of body systems in select patient groups
• Assess the benefits and limitations of prescribing drugs to select patient groups
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Learning Resources
Required Readings
Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (2017). Understanding pathophysiology (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
• Chapter 32, “Structure and Function of the Reproductive Systems”

This chapter establishes a foundation for examining alterations of reproductive systems by examining the female and male reproductive systems. It covers the development of both reproductive systems and effects of aging on the systems.

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• Chapter 33, “Alterations of the Female Reproductive System”

This chapters covers alterations of the female reproductive systems. It also explores the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, evaluation, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

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• Chapter 34, “Alterations of the Male Reproductive System”

This chapters covers alterations of the male reproductive systems. It also explores the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, evaluation, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.
Arcangelo, V. P., Peterson, A. M., Wilbur, V. & Reinhold, J. A. (Eds.). (2017). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (4th ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
• Chapter 4, “Principles of Pharmacotherapy in Pediatrics” (Review)

This chapter explores concepts relating to drug selection, administration, and interaction for pediatric patients. It also compares age-related pharmacokinetic differences in children and adults.

• Chapter 6, “Pharmacotherapy Principles in Older Adults” (Review)

This chapter describes issues and factors that affect drug therapy for elderly patients. It then explores concepts relating to drug selection, administration, and management for elderly patients.

• Chapter 33, “Prostatic Disorders and Erectile Dysfunction”

This chapter examines the causes, pathophysiology, and drug treatment of four disorders: prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction. It also explores the importance of monitoring patient response and patient education.

• Chapter 34, “Overactive Bladder”

This chapter describes the causes, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, and evaluation of overactive bladder. It also outlines the process of initiating, administering, and managing drug treatment for this disorder.

• Chapter 55, “Contraception”

This chapter examines various methods of contraception. It also covers drug interactions, selecting the most appropriate agent, and monitoring patient response to contraception.

• Chapter 56, “Menopause”

This chapter presents various options for menopausal hormone therapy. It also examines the strengths and limitations of each form of therapy.

• Chapter 57, “Osteoporosis”

This chapter covers various options for treating osteoporosis. It also describes proper dosages, potential adverse reactions, and special considerations of each drug.

• Chapter 58, “Vaginitis”

This chapter examines various causes of vaginitis. It also explores the diagnostic criteria and methods of treatment for the disorder.

Hilmer, S. N., McLachlan, A. J., & Le Couteur, D. G. (2007). Clinical pharmacology in the geriatric patient. Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology, 21(3), 217–230.

This article explores issues that health care providers consider when prescribing drug treatment to geriatric patients. It also examines the role of polypharmacy in adverse drug reactions and the importance of managing patient response to drug treatment.

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.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2012). Recommendations for adults [Online guidelines]. Retrieved from http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/adultrec.htm

This website lists various preventive services available for men and women. It provides information about available screenings, tests, preventive medication, and counseling.

Required Media

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012d). Final course review. Baltimore, MD: Author.

This media is an interactive final review covering course content from Weeks 7–11.

Optional Resources

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

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

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

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

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Discussion 1: Cancer and Women’s and Men’s Health
The American Cancer Society had estimated that by the end of 2012, more than 226,000 women would be diagnosed with new cases of breast cancer and more than 241,000 men would be diagnosed with new cases of prostate cancer (American Cancer Society, 2012a; American Cancer Society, 2012b). With such prevalence of women’s and men’s cancers, patient education and preventive services are essential. In clinical settings, advanced practice nurses must assist physicians in educating patients on risk factors, preventive services, and—especially for patients diagnosed with cancer—potential drug treatments. The clinical implications of women’s and men’s cancer greatly depend on early detection, which is primarily achieved through preventive services. In this Discussion, you consider the short-term and long-term implications of cancer and drug treatments associated with women’s and men’s health, as well as appropriate preventive services.
To prepare:
• Select a type of cancer associated with women’s or men’s health, such as breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer in women and prostate cancer in men.
• Search the Walden Library or other reputable sources for articles examining the type of cancer you selected.
• Consider the pathophysiology and drug treatments for patients diagnosed with the cancer you selected. If you are focusing on women’s health issues, consider how pregnancy and lactation might affect these treatment options.
• Reflect on short-term and long-term implications of this cancer and drug treatments for patients.
By Day 3
Discussion post Needed: Post an explanation of the pathophysiology of the type of cancer you selected and describe the drug treatments used for patients with this type of cancer. Then, explain short-term and long-term implications of the cancer and the drug treatments for patients.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.