NU 641 Week 12 Discussion: Bacterial Vaginosis

Regis University NU 641 Week 12 Discussion: Bacterial Vaginosis-Step-By-Step Guide

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How to Research and Prepare for NU 641 Week 12 Discussion: Bacterial Vaginosis                                                                     

Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Regis University NU 641 Week 12 Discussion: Bacterial Vaginosis    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.

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The introduction for the Regis University NU 641 Week 12 Discussion: Bacterial Vaginosis   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 NU 641 Week 12 Discussion: Bacterial Vaginosis                                                                   

After the introduction, move into the main part of the NU 641 Week 12 Discussion: Bacterial Vaginosis    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 NU 641 Week 12 Discussion: Bacterial Vaginosis                                                                   

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 NU 641 Week 12 Discussion: Bacterial Vaginosis                                                                     

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 NU 641 Week 12 Discussion: Bacterial Vaginosis

1. List specific goals of treatment for this patient.

R.S. has been diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis, which is characterized by the normal hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli that are present in the vaginal flora being replaced by an overgrowth of anaerobic organisms, such as Mycoplasma hominis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Prevotella spp., or Mobilucus spp (Woo & Robinson, 2020, p. 1289). This condition is associated with a biofilm that strongly adheres to vaginal epithelial cells, which promotes the growth and adherence of other offending organisms (Tomás et al., 2020). The first goal of treatment is to eliminate the symptoms that R.S. is experiencing, such as the foul-odored and high pH discharge (Woo & Robinson, 2020, p. 810). In order to do this, some of the other specific main goals of treatment for bacterial vaginosis include the destruction of biofilms, a reestablishment of the healthy vaginal flora, and the eradication of the associated pathogens (Tomás et al., 2020). In addition, bacterial vaginosis that goes untreated has been associated with adverse effects such as pelvic inflammatory disease, abnormal Pap smear results, and pregnancy complications for women who are pregnant (Woo & Robinson, 2020, p. 810). Therefore, another goal would be to avoid these complications through the treatment of this condition.

2. What drug therapy would you prescribe? Why?

According to the International Union against sexually transmitted infections (IUSTI) World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for treating bacterial vaginosis, 5-7 days of topical or oral metronidazole or 7 days of intravaginal clindamycin are both considered to be first-line treatments for uncomplicated bacterial vaginosis (Sherrard et al., 2018). Cost-effectiveness, the individual circumstances, and the personal choice of the patient should be the main factors in considering the treatment regime (Sherrard et al., 2018). Both of these treatments have equal efficacy, but clindamycin tends to have fewer side effects than metronidazole (Sherrard et al., 2018). However, oral metronidazole is cheaper than the other options (Sherrard et al., 2018). Therefore, I would let R.S. know the cost and common side effects that may be expected with both of these treatments and use her personal input in my decision. However, for the purposes of this post, I will assume that that cost is the most important factor for R.S., and therefore I would prescribe seven days of oral metronidazole 500mg twice daily (Sherrard et al., 2018). This drug is available in 500mg tablets (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2020, p. 865).

Below is my prescription for R.S.:

Downey Family Practice

1234 Health Road

Richmond, VA 23223

(555) 555-5555

Nicole Downey, BSN, DNP, FNP-C Date: March 21, 2022

Patient: R.S.  DOB: 02/19/90 Weight: 50 kg Phone: (628) 456-4567

Metronidazole 500mg tablets

Disp: 14 tablets

Sig: Take one tablet by mouth twice a day for 7 days to treat bacterial vaginosis. Please finish the entire course of this medication even if symptoms resolve.

No refills.

3. What are the parameters for monitoring the success of the therapy?

The parameters for monitoring the success of therapy involve the resolution of R.S.’ symptoms. For example, treatment would be successful if she is no longer experiencing white, foul-smelling discharge.

4. Discuss specific patient education based on the prescribed therapy.

A major point of education that I would provide to R.S. would be to ensure that she finishes the entire course of therapy and takes the medication as directed (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2020, p. 865). In addition, it is important that she understands the need to avoid alcohol intake for at least 72 hours after treatment with metronidazole, as the concurrent use of both may cause a disulfiram-like reaction consisting of nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, headache, and flushing (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2020, p. 866). I would tell R.S. that she may take this drug on an empty stomach, or if she is experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort, she may take it with food or milk (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2020, p. 865). In addition, I would let her know that this medication has the potential to cause a metallic taste that may be unpleasant and can also cause dry mouth (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2020, p. 866). To combat this, I would advise her to use sugar-free gum, candy, mouth rinses, and overall good oral hygiene (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2020, p. 866). Further, I would ask R.S. to inform her provider of any new rash, fever, blisters, or muscle or joint aches that develop, since a rare but potential adverse reaction of this drug is Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which would require the drug to be discontinued (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2020, p. 865).

5. List one or two adverse reactions for the selected agent that would cause you to change therapy.

I would change R.S.’s therapy if she were to experience a hypersensitivity reaction or if she developed hepatitis due to this drug (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2020, p. 864). The development of Stevens-Johnson syndrome is very rare, but would be a potential adverse effect of metronidazole that would cause me to change therapy if severe (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2020, p. 865). Further, this drug is contraindicated during the first trimester of pregnancy, so I would discontinue this drug if R.S. reported that she believed she may be pregnant or is attempting to become pregnant (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2020, p. 864). I would ask her about pregnancy and her plans to become pregnant before I prescribed this medication as well.

6. What would be the choice for second-line therapy? Provide rationale

Another appropriate choice for treatment of R.S.’ bacterial vaginosis would be intravaginal 2% clindamycin cream daily for seven days, which is still considered first-line treatment (Sherrard et al., 2018). Below would be my prescription for R.S.:

Downey Family Practice

1234 Health Road

Richmond, VA 23223

(555) 555-5555

Nicole Downey, BSN, DNP, FNP-C Date: March 21, 2022

Patient: R.S.  DOB: 02/19/90 Weight: 50 kg Phone: (628) 456-4567

2% clindamycin vaginal cream

Disp: 1 tube

Sig: Administer cream vaginally daily for 7 days to treat bacterial vaginosis. Please finish the entire 7-day course of this treatment even if symptoms resolve.

No refills.

Other alternative treatment regimes that may also be used as second-line therapies include metronidazole 2g by mouth in a single dose or tinidazole 2g by mouth in a single dose (Sherrard et al., 2018). However, it should be mentioned that cure rates are lower for single-dose therapies (Sherrard et al., 2018). Other alternative treatments may include tinidazole 1g by mouth for five days, clindamycin 300mg by mouth twice a day for seven days, or dequalinium chloride 10mg vaginal tablet daily for six days (Sherrard et al., 2018). While vaginal dequalinium has similar cure rates when compared to vaginal clindamycin, it is more expensive than other treatments (Sherrard et al., 2018).

7. What OTC or alternative medications would be appropriate for this patient?

Since treatment with the recommended antibiotics is still associated with high failure and recurrence rates, it is important to provide R.S. with alternative strategies that may be combined with conventional treatments in order to treat her infection more effectively (Tomás et al., 2020). For example, using probiotics, prebiotics, and acidifying agents may assist to reestablish a more normal physiologic vaginal (Tomás et al., 2020). In addition, R.S. may benefit from other antimicrobials, antiseptics, and natural compound products (Tomás et al., 2020). For example, the antiseptics chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide provide large spectrum antibacterial activity through the non-specific disruption of the cell membrane (Tomás et al., 2018). The use of chlorhexidine 0.5% vaginal gel has been shown to be effective and well-tolerated for curing bacterial vaginosis, so this may be appropriate and beneficial for R.S. to use.

8. What dietary or lifestyle changes should be recommended?

R.S. reported that she uses a vaginal douche bi-weekly in an effort to reduce her risk of vaginal infections. While the evidence in the literature remains mixed regarding the association between the use of a vaginal douche and bacterial vaginosis, multiple studies have shown that douching may promote the development or recurrence of bacterial vaginosis (Coudray & Madhivanan, 2020). Therefore, I would educate R.S. about this potential contributing factor and discuss with her that avoiding the use of a vaginal douche may be beneficial.

In addition, using cotton or cloth products for menstrual hygiene was associated with a higher risk of bacterial vaginosis as compared to using sanitary pads (Coudray & Madhivanan, 2020). Therefore, I would recommend that R.S. avoid cotton or cloth menstrual hygiene products.

9. Describe one or two drug–drug or drug–food interaction for the selected agent.

As previously mentioned, ingesting alcohol while taking metronidazole therapy has the potential to produce a disulfiram-like reaction consisting of nausea, vomiting, headache, flushing, and abdominal cramping (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2020, p. 866). In addition, taking metronidazole with cimetidine may decrease the metabolism of cimetidine (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2020, p. 864). The effects of phenytoin, lithium, and warfarin may be increased while taking metronidazole as well (Vallerand & Sanoski, 2020, p. 864).

References

Coudray, M. S., & Madhivanan, P. (2020). Bacterial vaginosis—A brief synopsis of the literature. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 245, 143-148.

Sherrard, J., Wilson, J., Donders, G., Mendling, W., & Jensen, J. S. (2018). 2018 European (IUSTI/WHO) International Union against sexually transmitted infections (IUSTI) World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline on the management of vaginal discharge. International Journal of STD & AIDS, 29(13), 1258-1272.

Tomás, M., Palmeira-de-Oliveira, A., Simões, S., Martinez-de-Oliveira, J., & Palmeira-de-Oliveira, R. (2020). Bacterial vaginosis: Standard treatments and alternative strategies. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 587, 119659.

Vallerand, A., & Sanoski, C. (2020). Davis’s drug guide for nurses (Seventeenth ed.). F.A. Davis Company.

Woo, T. M., & Robinson, M. V. (2020). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice nurse prescribers (5th edition). FA Davis.