NURS 6512 ASSESSING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN

Walden University NURS 6512 ASSESSING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN– Step-By-Step Guide

This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Walden University NURS 6512 ASSESSING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN assignment based on general principles of academic writing. Here, we will show you the A, B, Cs of completing an academic paper, irrespective of the instructions. After guiding you through what to do, the guide will leave one or two sample essays at the end to highlight the various sections discussed below.

How to Research and Prepare for NURS 6512 ASSESSING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN

Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Walden University NURS 6512 ASSESSING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN depends on the preparation done beforehand. The first thing to do once you receive an assignment is to quickly skim through the requirements. Once that is done, start going through the instructions one by one to clearly understand what the instructor wants. The most important thing here is to understand the required format—whether it is APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.

After understanding the requirements of the paper, the next phase is to gather relevant materials. The first place to start the research process is the weekly resources. Go through the resources provided in the instructions to determine which ones fit the assignment. After reviewing the provided resources, use the university library to search for additional resources. After gathering sufficient and necessary resources, you are now ready to start drafting your paper.

How to Write the Introduction for NURS 6512 ASSESSING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN

The introduction for the Walden University NURS 6512 ASSESSING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN is where you tell the instructor what your paper will encompass. In three to four statements, highlight the important points that will form the basis of your paper. Here, you can include statistics to show the importance of the topic you will be discussing. At the end of the introduction, write a clear purpose statement outlining what exactly will be contained in the paper. This statement will start with “The purpose of this paper…” and then proceed to outline the various sections of the instructions.

How to Write the Body for NURS 6512 ASSESSING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN

After the introduction, move into the main part of the NURS 6512 ASSESSING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN assignment, which is the body. Given that the paper you will be writing is not experimental, the way you organize the headings and subheadings of your paper is critically important. In some cases, you might have to use more subheadings to properly organize the assignment. The organization will depend on the rubric provided. Carefully examine the rubric, as it will contain all the detailed requirements of the assignment. Sometimes, the rubric will have information that the normal instructions lack.

Another important factor to consider at this point is how to do citations. In-text citations are fundamental as they support the arguments and points you make in the paper. At this point, the resources gathered at the beginning will come in handy. Integrating the ideas of the authors with your own will ensure that you produce a comprehensive paper. Also, follow the given citation format. In most cases, APA 7 is the preferred format for nursing assignments.

How to Write the Conclusion for NURS 6512 ASSESSING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN

After completing the main sections, write the conclusion of your paper. The conclusion is a summary of the main points you made in your paper. However, you need to rewrite the points and not simply copy and paste them. By restating the points from each subheading, you will provide a nuanced overview of the assignment to the reader.

How to Format the References List for NURS 6512 ASSESSING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN

The very last part of your paper involves listing the sources used in your paper. These sources should be listed in alphabetical order and double-spaced. Additionally, use a hanging indent for each source that appears in this list. Lastly, only the sources cited within the body of the paper should appear here.

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Sample Answer for NURS 6512 ASSESSING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN

This is an informative post. Patient assessment was important in establishing the reasons for pain and other possible underlying conditions. Another differential diagnosis I would suggest is lumbosacral muscle strains/sprains. This is a condition associated with traumatic episodes. The pain increases with movement and alleviates with a limited range of motion and rest. The development of low back pain can be associated with the sensitization of nerve endings by releasing chemical mediators, in-growth of neurovascular into the degenerated disk, and alteration in the biomechanical properties of the disk structure (Ma et al., 2019). The development of an effective management plan in this case needs a refined subjective assessment to foster streamlining of physical examination. Interviewing the patient about the behavior of the symptoms and taking the history of the condition is vital in establishing the clinical rationale for the causal factors and causes of symptoms. The management plans frequent observation for regularity or reduction of pain, a sporadic repeat of CT scans and X-rays, and referring the patient to rehabilitation or a physical therapist for exercises (de Oliveira Silva et al., 2020).  

References 

de Oliveira Silva, D., Pazzinatto, M. F., Rathleff, M. S., Holden, S., Bell, E., Azevedo, F., & Barton, C. (2020). Patient education for patellofemoral pain: a systematic review. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 50(7), 388-396. https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2020.9400 

Ma, K., Zhuang, Z. G., Wang, L., Liu, X. G., Lu, L. J., Yang, X. Q., … & Liu, Y. Q. (2019). The Chinese Association for the Study of Pain (CASP): consensus on the assessment and management of chronic nonspecific low back pain. Pain Research and Management, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/8957847 

Also Read:

CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSING NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS

DIGITAL CLINICAL EXPERIENCE: COMPREHENSIVE (HEAD-TO-TOE) PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT

LAB ASSIGNMENT: ASSESSING THE GENITALIA AND RECTUM

Sample Answer 2 for NURS 6512 ASSESSING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN

This is an insightful and revealing post. Patient assessment was important in establishing the reasons for pain and other possible underlying conditions to facilitate the identification of an effective treatment plan. The other differential diagnosis I would recommend is anterior impingement. This condition characterizes strapped structures at the anterior margin of the tibiotalar joint. It usually manifests with ankle pain and limited movement (Vega & Dalmau-Pastor, 2022). The condition is also associated with significant osseous and soft tissue abnormities. Of these differential diagnoses, I would suggest that lateral ankle sprain is the primary diagnosis in this patient. This condition occurs mainly with the inversion of the ankle and involves the lateral ligamentous complex, which entails the anterior talofibular ligament, and calcaneofibular and posterior talofibular ligament that is damaged in reducing order (Lysdal et al., 2022). People with this condition usually suffer tenderness above the sprained ligament, soft tissue swelling, hematoma, and limited range of motion. These features are consistent with the patient in this case. The “pop” sound is a clear sign of a ligament tear.   

References 

Lysdal, F. G., Wang, Y., Delahunt, E., Gehring, D., Kosik, K. B., Krosshaug, T., … & Fong, D. T. (2022). What have we learnt from quantitative case reports of acute lateral ankle sprains injuries and episodes of ‘giving-way’of the ankle joint, and what shall we further investigate? Sports Biomechanics, 21(4), 359-379. https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2022.2035801 

Vega, J., & Dalmau-Pastor, M. (2022). Anterior Ankle Impingement and Ankle Instability. In Foot and Ankle Disorders: A Comprehensive Approach in Pediatric and Adult Populations (pp. 1045-1064). Cham: Springer International Publishing. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-95738-4_47 

Sample Answer 3 for NURS 6512 ASSESSING MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN

Your episodic  note was well crafted and thorough. Your differential diagnosis are appropriate and well explained. It is essential to consider a comprehensive set of differential diagnoses when evaluating a patient with lower back pain to ensure that all potential causes are thoroughly explored. In addition to muscle spasm and avascular necrosis, the following differential diagnoses should also be considered with rationale:

1. Lumbar Radiculopathy: Given the patient’s description of radiating pain to the left leg, which feels like an ice pick, and worsens during specific activities, lumbar radiculopathy, commonly known as sciatica, should be considered. This condition results from compression or irritation of the spinal nerve roots and can cause radiating pain, tingling, or numbness in the lower back and leg (Koes et al., 2007).
2. Spinal Stenosis: The patient’s worsening pain during prolonged sitting, such as during his commute, is consistent with the symptoms of spinal stenosis, a condition characterized by the narrowing of the spinal canal, leading to compression of the spinal cord or nerves (Genevay et al., 2010).
3. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: Sacroiliac joint dysfunction can produce symptoms of lower back pain that may radiate to the buttocks and legs, which aligns with the patient’s presentation. This condition is often aggravated by prolonged sitting or standing (Cohen & Vasey, 2016).
4. Facet Joint Syndrome: Facet joint syndrome can cause localized lower back pain that may radiate to the hips and legs, and the pain can be exacerbated by specific movements or positions, such as bending backward, which matches the patient’s description (Cohen & Vasey, 2016).

These additional differential diagnoses expand the scope of potential causes for the patient’s lower back pain and provide a more comprehensive assessment of his condition.

References:

Cohen, S. P., & Vasey, M. W. (2016). The effect of the avoidance-endurance model on acute pain perception: An experimental investigation. The Journal of Pain, 17(11), 1224–1233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2016.08.004

Genevay, S., Atlas, S. J., & Katz, J. N. (2010). Variation in eligibility criteria from studies of radiculopathy due to a herniated disc and of neurogenic claudication due to lumbar spinal stenosis: A structured literature review. Spine, 35(7), 803–811. https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181b3f2e1

Koes, B. W., van Tulder, M. W., Peul, W. C., & Jansen, M. J. (2007). Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica. BMJ, 334(7607), 1313–1317. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39223.428495.BE

NURS 6512 Case Study Assignment Assessing Neurological Symptoms Sample

Episodic/Focused SOAP Note  

Patient Information: 

Initials: N.T, Age: 46 years, Sex: Female, Race: White 

CC ” I have pain in both ankles”  

HPI: N.T. is a forty-six-year-old white female patient who reported to the facility for a check. She complains of pain in both her ankles, even though she expresses more concern with the right ankle. The patient was playing soccer during the weekend when she heard a pop sound, which led to uncomfortable pain. The patient also experienced swelling following the pop sound. Consequently she is also unable to bear her weight. The pain is throbbing and more concentrated on the right ankle. She also rates the pain while resting. The pain is also radiating up the right lower extremity. 

Current Medications: The patient is not using any medication currently.  

Allergies: There are no records of allergies to food, medication, or environment.  

PMHx: The patient indicated that she took her full dose of COVID-19. All other immunizations and annual flu tests are up to date.  

Soc Hx: The patient is currently a single parent with three children. She works in the hotel industry. She likes playing soccer, which she does mostly during weekends but also occasionally in the evenings. She denies the previous or current use of alcohol. She also denies smoking or use of other illegal drugs. 

Fam Hx: The patient’s parents are still alive; the father is eighty years old, and the mother is seventy-seven years old. The father is living with diabetes and hypertension while the mother has been treated for depression before and is currently living with osteoporosis. She has one elder brother and a younger sister and both are fairly healthy with no major health concerns.  

 ROS:  

GENERAL: No fatigue, weakness, chills, fever, and weight loss.  

  HEENT: The patient’s head is normal; No visual loss, blurred vision, or double vision. She also denies reduced hearing, sneezing, congestion, sore throat, or even runny nose.    

SKIN: No signs of rash, itching, or bruising.   

 CARDIOVASCULAR: No chest discomfort, chest pain, or pressure. Denies palpitations or edema.   

RESPIRATORY: The patient denies any shortness of breath, sputum, or cough.  

GASTROINTESTINAL:  The patient denies anorexia, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain.  

GENITOURINARY:  No burning or pain during urination. She denies pregnancy. NEUROLOGICAL: She denies headache, dizziness, paralysis, ataxia, or numbness. 

MUSCULOSKELETAL: She reports bilateral ankle pain. The pain is more concentrated on the right ankle as compared to the left ankle. She also reports swelling in the right ankle and is unable to bear her weight.    

HEMATOLOGIC: No anemia or bleeding.   

LYMPHATICS:  No history of splenectomy; denies enlarged nodes.  

PSYCHIATRIC: No history of headache or mental illness.  

  ENDOCRINOLOGIC: No Polydipsia or polyuria.    

 ALLERGIES:  No known allergies, either to food, medication, or environment  

Physical exam:  

Vital signs: BP: 116/75, Temp: 97.0, RR: 18, HR: 76, Height: 6.2, Weight: 141 lbs 

General: The patient is well-dressed and groomed. She is alert and oriented. She appears concerned regarding her ankle pain which started after hearing a pop sound when playing soccer during the weekend. 

HEENT: The head is atraumatic and Normocephalic.  No ear pain or discharge. No loss of vision, no runny or stuffy nose. The patient’s neck is supple.  

Skin:  The skin is warm and dry, with no wounds and no skin rashes. Bruising was seen in the right lateral ankle. 

Chest: The heartbeat and heart rate are both regular, with no gallops, murmurs, or extra sounds. No cough or dyspnea. The patient’s lungs are clear.  

The musculoskeletal system: The patient’s right ankle has bruises, and the fibula’s lower aspects are tender upon palpation. Less motion range was observed in the ankles. The swelling was also observed. Pain experienced on the leg when bearing weight. The left ankle had no bruising, swelling, or tenderness. 

Diagnostic results: The Ottawa Ankle rule is to be used to help determine if the patient needs an X-ray to confirm or rule out a fracture (Morais et al.,2021). Ultrasound can be conducted to assess the structure of the soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons. 

Differential Diagnoses  

1. An Ankle sprain: This is a condition which usually occurs when the ligaments supporting a person’s ankle are torn or stretched. In most cases, the foot can forcefully turn outward or inward. Ankle sprains are known to be common when individuals participate in activities such as soccer and go for a sudden directional change (Halabchi & Hassabi, 2020). The condition can have varied severity, usually from mild to severe. This condition may present with various symptoms, such as finding it difficult to walk, joint stiffness, soreness, bruising, swelling, and pain. The patient was playing soccer when she heard a pop sound, leading to pain and swelling in her right ankle. The patient showed several of these symptoms which makes an ankle sprain one of the diagnoses. 

1. Achilles tendonitis: This is a condition that may present with pain and discomfort due to tendon injuries like a tear or inflammation. The condition is sometimes known as Achilles tendinitis. In most cases, the illness may come due to a repetitive strain or overuse of the Achilles tendon, which then makes a patient to experience swelling and pain. It can also result due to weak or tight calf muscles which is known to lead to higher strain on the Achilles tendon. Other causes include a sudden increase in physical activity which can be characterized by an increased frequency, duration or intensity of the physical exercise or activity that a person engages in.  Some of the symptoms include pain in the back of a person’s leg, pain exacerbated with activity, a stiff Achilles tendon, and swelling (Touzell, 2020). In addition, a patient may experience a mild thickening of the tendon, tenderness and a significant reduced range or motion.  The patient heard a pop sound when playing soccer, which makes this condition suspect. 

1. Chronic Ankle Instability: This is a condition that may result from multiple cases of ankle sprains, which then makes the patient prone to injuries. This condition may present with various symptoms such as ankle instability, injuries, swelling, pain, and re-injuries for more than half a year (Herzog et al.,2019). The patient may also experience recurrent sprains, complications maintaining balance and feelings of giving away. The condition is also known to substantially impact a person, stability, mobility and the overall quality of life. The patient reported some of these symptoms, which makes this condition to be a potential diagnosis.  However, the patient has no history of incomplete healed ligaments, which again makes this condition less likely.  

1. Ankle fracture:  This is a condition that entails cracking or breaking of one or more of the bones which make up the ankle joint. It can occur in either the talus, fibula or tibia. Ankle fracture may happen when a person experiences events such as an awkward landing or forceful impact. The condition can also be caused by osteoporosis which causes the bones to weaken, hence exposing the person to the condition. Sudden rolling or twisting of the ankle with force can also lead to this condition. Consequently, a person may put stress on the ankle, leading to the condition. Some of the symptoms include complications bearing weight, bruising, and swelling (Briet et al.,2019). Other symptoms may also include misalignment or deformity of the ankle and pain. The patient presented with some of these symptoms, making this a potential diagnosis. 

1. Muscle soreness: Muscle soreness can be experienced after an individual takes part in physical activity or exercise. The condition is sometimes known as a delayed onset of muscle soreness. The condition is in most cases experienced when an individual takes part in physical exercise or activity that entail the eccentric muscle contraction, or lengthening of the muscle under tension. In addition, it is known to typically begin twenty-four hours to forty-eight hours after an exercise can have its peak around seventy-two hours. The patient may experience reduced flexibility and strength and pain or discomfort in the skeletal muscles (Heiss et al.,2019). Other symptoms may include muscle discomfort, tenderness and stiffness. An individual with the condition may also experience an exacerbation of the soreness when the affected muscles are stretched or moved. The patient experienced pain when playing soccer, which makes this a potential diagnosis. 

References 

Briet, J. P., Hietbrink, F., Smeeing, D. P., Dijkgraaf, M. G., Verleisdonk, E. J., & Houwert, R. M. (2019). Ankle fracture classification: an innovative system for describing ankle fractures. The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, 58(3), 492-496. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jfas.2018.09.028 

Halabchi, F., & Hassabi, M. (2020). Acute ankle sprain in athletes: Clinical aspects and algorithmic approach. World Journal of Orthopedics, 11(12), 534. https://doi.org/10.5312%2Fwjo.v11.i12.534 

Heiss, R., Lutter, C., Freiwald, J., Hoppe, M. W., Grim, C., Poettgen, K., … & Hotfiel, T. (2019). Advances in delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS)–part II: treatment and prevention. Sportverletzung· Sportschaden, 33(01), 21-29. DOI: 10.1055/a-0810-3516 

Herzog, M. M., Kerr, Z. Y., Marshall, S. W., & Wikstrom, E. A. (2019). Epidemiology of ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability. Journal of Athletic Training, 54(6), 603-610. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-447-17 

Morais, B., Branquinho, A., Barreira, M., Correia, J., Machado, M., Marques, N., … & Diogo, N. (2021). Validation of the Ottawa ankle rules: Strategies for increasing specificity. Injury, 52(4), 1017-1022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2021.01.006 

Touzell, A. (2020). The Achilles tendon: Management of acute and chronic conditions. Australian Journal of General Practice, 49(11), 715–719. Doi: 10.3316/INFORMIT.553809190362672.