NURS 6630 Assessing and Treating Patients With Sleep Wake Disorders

Walden University NURS 6630 Assessing and Treating Patients With Sleep Wake Disorders– Step-By-Step Guide

This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Walden University NURS 6630 Assessing and Treating Patients With Sleep Wake Disorders 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 6630 Assessing and Treating Patients With Sleep Wake Disorders

Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Walden University NURS 6630 Assessing and Treating Patients With Sleep Wake Disorders 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 6630 Assessing and Treating Patients With Sleep Wake Disorders

The introduction for the Walden University NURS 6630 Assessing and Treating Patients With Sleep Wake Disorders 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 6630 Assessing and Treating Patients With Sleep Wake Disorders

After the introduction, move into the main part of the NURS 6630 Assessing and Treating Patients With Sleep Wake Disorders 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 6630 Assessing and Treating Patients With Sleep Wake Disorders

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 6630 Assessing and Treating Patients With Sleep Wake Disorders

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 6630 Assessing and Treating Patients With Sleep Wake Disorders

To promote a comprehensive understanding of the treatment of a patient with insomnia, this discussion examines the case of a 31-year-old male patient diagnosed with insomnia. The patient reports being used to getting inadequate sleep most of his life. However, ever since he lost his fiancé about 6 months ago, he has been finding it hard to fall and stay asleep. Previously, the patient was using diphenhydramine to manage his insomnia but stopped due to the side effects experienced upon waking up. His work requires very high concentration levels which are greatly impacted by his inability to get enough sleep at night. The patient even reports that he has been falling asleep at work recently. As reported by the patient’s previous physician, he has a history of opiate abuse, which was developed when he was prescribed hydrocodone/APAP (acetaminophen) for managing pain associated with his broken ankle from skiing. The patient however denies use of opioid analgesics for the past 4 years. He however reports drinking alcohol every night to help him sleep. Mental status examination reveals no possibilities of comorbidities. 

Several medications have been proven to be effective in the management of insomnia among adults. However, the choice of which medication to prescribe depends on several patient factors. For the patient in this discussion, such factors include his age, gender, and insomnia diagnosis. His previous use of diphenhydramine but with undesirable side effects will also be considered. His social history of losing his fiancé, history of opiate abuse, and use of alcohol will also play a significant role in determining the most effective drug choice. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the decisions made in prescribing medication for the treatment of young adult patients with insomnia, in addition to the ethical consideration at each decision point.  

Decision #1 

Selected Decision and Rationale 

Out of the provided alternatives, starting the patient on trazodone 50mg once daily at bedtime seems to be the most appropriate decision. Trazodone is an antidepressant with a complex mode of action primarily associated with the inhibition of the serotonin pathway (Martsenkovskyi & Napryeyenko, 2019). The drug is frequently prescribed off-label for the management of chronic insomnia high tolerance levels and effectiveness in initiating and maintaining sleep (Winkelman, 2015; Grandner & Perlis, 2019). The initial dose of the drug for adults with insomnia usually ranges from 25 to 50mg once daily, but the dose may range to up to 150mg once daily depending on the treatment outcome (Sateia et al., 2017). The drug is administered orally with a rapid absorption rate that promotes a short onset of action with peak plasma concentration being attained within 30 minutes to 1 hour. It is metabolized primarily via the CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 pathways with reduced risks of toxicity and adverse events. 

Zolpidem can be used in the management of insomnia but is associated with increased risks of life-threatening sleep behaviors hence should only be recommended in case there is no other safer alternative (Sateia et al., 2017). On the other hand, it was not appropriate to prescribe hydroxyzine, given it belongs to a similar class of drugs to diphenhydramine (antihistamines) which already displayed undesirable side effects which made the patient discontinue using the drug (Martsenkovskyi & Napryeyenko, 2019; Yi et al., 2018).  

Expected Outcome 

In about four weeks, the patient is expected to report to the hospital with significantly improved sleeping patterns (Sateia et al., 2017). He should be able to sleep adequately through the night, and exhibit improved concentration and energy levels the following morning (Grandner & Perlis, 2019). 

Ethical Considerations 

When treating adult patients, the PMHNP needs to uphold the patient’s privacy and confidentiality. Consequently, the patient’s decision must be respected to uphold his autonomy. 

Decision #2 

Selected Decision and Rationale 

Looking at the reported treatment outcome after four weeks, it was necessary to reduce the trazodone dose to 25 mg orally at bedtime. The decision was mainly based on the reported side effect of prolonged erection the following morning (Madari et al., 2021). The patient displayed a positive outcome of the drug in managing his insomnia which is an indication of potential effectiveness (Sateia et al., 2017; Akinnusi & El Solh, 2019). Studies show that when used at low doses, the risks of potential side effects of trazodone such as priapism are normally reduced (Winkelman, 2015; Martsenkovskyi & Napryeyenko, 2019). Additionally, it has been reported that in case of self-limiting side effects like prolonged erection, reducing the dose will promote the side effect disappearing within a shorter time, hence promoting the patient’s tolerance to the medication (Yi et al., 2018).  

Explaining to the patient that the reported side effect is not priapism and will resolve with time, without altering the dose was not necessary as this would promote worsening of the side effect (Grandner & Perlis, 2019; Yi et al., 2018). Consequently, stopping trazodone and starting suvorexant was also inappropriate given that the patient’s response within the two weeks displayed great adherence to the medication with only one self-limiting side effect, which does not qualify termination of the treatment therapy (Martsenkovskyi & Napryeyenko, 2019). 

Expected Outcome 

The reported side effects of prolonged erection in the morning are expected to diminish within the next 4 weeks upon reducing the dose to 25mg once daily (Sateia et al., 2017). The patient’s sleeping pattern is also expected to improve even further within this time (Yi et al., 2018).  

Ethical Considerations 

With the obligation of preventing harm to the patient and respecting their autonomy, the PMHNP needed to consider the patient’s discomfort with the reported side effects of the drug (Grandner & Perlis, 2019). As such, it was necessary to observe ethical principles such as justice and nonmaleficence in promoting clinical decision which promotes using a lower dose of the drug, which is still effective to elicit desired effects (Madari et al., 2021). 

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Decision #3 

Selected Decision and Rationale 

Looking at the available options in line with the reported outcome from the initial intervention, the last decision was to continue using the same drug, at the same frequency and dose and encourage sleep hygiene. The patient has displayed great adherence and tolerance to trazodone, as the previously reported side effect diminished (Winkelman, 2015). However, the dose was quite low, hence sometimes failing to help the patient sleep through the night. Studies show that at low doses, trazodone can take up to 8 to 12 weeks to completely help patients sleep through the night (Grandner & Perlis, 2019). Consequently, to avoid side effects associated with the use of several pharmacological agents, evidence supports the use of nonpharmacological interventions such as appropriate sleep hygiene to promote treatment outcomes (Sateia et al., 2017; Yi et al., 2018).  

Replacing trazodone with ramelteon, which is a hypnotic was not necessary as the already displayed great tolerance and adherence to trazodone, and the latter is also associated with undesired cardiovascular side effects which might compromise the patient’s health (Martsenkovskyi & Napryeyenko, 2019). As stated earlier, replacing trazodone with hydroxyzine was also inappropriate as hydroxyzine being an antihistamine would only lead to undesired side effects which might affect the patient’s compliance with the medication (Grandner & Perlis, 2019). 

Expected Outcome 

At this point, the patient is expected to attain an adequate amount of sleep every night with the adoption of appropriate sleep hygiene (Winkelman, 2015). No side effects are expected. Patient productivity at work is expected to improve due to improved quality of sleep (Yi et al., 2018). 

Ethical Considerations 

Adult patients have the legal right of making sound decisions concerning their health. As such, the PMHNP must ensure that the patient is adequately acknowledged of the available treatment options, and the benefits and limitations of each choice (Grandner & Perlis, 2019). Respecting patient autonomy is also crucial in promoting trust and a positive care outcome (Martsenkovskyi & Napryeyenko, 2019). 

Conclusion 

Several drugs have been recommended for the management of insomnia among adults. However, the decision on which medication to prescribe greatly depends on several patient-specific factors. The provided case demonstrates a young adult male patient with worsening insomnia. The patient was initially taking phenylhydrazine for the management of his insomnia but did not like the way it made him feel the following morning. Out of the available options, the first decision was to start the patient on trazodone 50mg orally every night. The drug has been approved by the FDA for the management of depression, but due to its tolerance and great effectiveness in the management of chronic insomnia, it is frequently prescribed doff label (Winkelman, 2015). Zolpidem and hydroxyzine were thus neglected due to their increased risks of toxicity (Martsenkovskyi & Napryeyenko, 2019). After two weeks, the patient came back to the hospital complaining of prolonged erection the following morning, but with well-managed insomnia (Akinnusi & El Solh, 2019). This outcome led to the second decision which was to reduce the dose of the drug to 25 mg every night (Yi et al., 2018). Discontinuing the drug and initiating suvorexant instead was not appropriate due to associated safety risks (Madari et al., 2021). 

The patient reported that the side effect diminished after 2 weeks, but the dose was quite low to keep him asleep through the night. As such, the final decision was to continue using the same drug at the same dose and consider sleep hygiene to promote the treatment outcome (Sateia et al., 2017). In each decision process, the PMHNP was forced to observe several ethical principles including justice, autonomy, nonmaleficence, and observing the patient’s privacy and confidentiality (Grandner & Perlis, 2019). The patient was also adequately informed about each decision process, in terms of all the available options with their benefits and limitations.  

References 

Akinnusi, M., & El Solh, A. A. (2019). Drug treatment strategies for insomnia in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 20(6), 691–699. https://doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2019.1574745 

Grandner, M. A., & Perlis, M. L. (2019). Pharmacotherapy for Insomnia Disorder in Older Adults. JAMA Network Open, 2(12), e1918214. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.18214 

Madari, S., Golebiowski, R., Mansukhani, M. P., & Kolla, B. P. (2021). Pharmacological Management of Insomnia. Neurotherapeutics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-021-01010-z 

Martsenkovskyi, D., & Napryeyenko, O. (2019). P.818 Adjunctive therapy with trazodone for insomnia in adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 29, S543–S544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.09.682 

Sateia, M. J., Buysse, D. J., Krystal, A. D., Neubauer, D. N., & Heald, J. L. (2017). Clinical Practice Guideline for the Pharmacologic Treatment of Chronic Insomnia in Adults: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 13(02), 307–349. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.6470 

Winkelman, J. W. (2015). Insomnia Disorder. New England Journal of Medicine, 373(15), 1437–1444. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmcp1412740 

Yi, X., Ni, S., Ghadami, M. R., Meng, H., Chen, M., Kuang, L., Zhang, Y., Zhang, L., & Zhou, X. (2018). Trazodone for the treatment of insomnia: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Sleep Medicine, 45, 25–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2018.01.010 

‌ Sample Answer 2 for NURS 6630 Assessing and Treating Patients With Sleep Wake Disorders

Insomnia is a mental disorder that affects significantly the health, wellbeing, and functioning of the patients. Therefore, this paper examines a case study of a 31-year-old male that presents with chief complaint of insomnia. The patient reported that the insomnia has worsened progressively over the last six months. The problem started about six months ago after his fiancé passed on. Insomnia has affected his ability to perform at his job as a forklift operator. The patient has a history of using diphenhydramine to enhance sleep but did not like what he felt the morning after, as he fallen asleep because of lack of sleep the night before. The patient’s history also shows that he has opiate abuse after breaking his ankle where he was prescribed acetaminophen for pain management. However, he has not received an opiate prescription for the last four years.   

The patient also has a history of alcohol use to induce sleep. He drinks about four beers before bed. Mental status exam performed on the patient showed that he was oriented to place, time, person, and event. He made eye contact, dressed appropriately for the occasion, denied hallucinations, with judgement, insight, and reality being intact. He also denied suicidal ideation and future oriented. Therefore, the patient factors that will affect the selected treatment include his age, experience with diphenhydramine, opiate abuse, and alcohol use. The selected treatments should not predispose him to unwanted outcomes such as poor performance at workplace, dependence, or increased use of alcohol to manage insomnia symptoms.  

Decision 1 

Selected Decision  

Zolpidem: 10 mg daily at bedtime  

Why I Selected the Decision  

I selected Zolpidem for the patient because of its high level of tolerance and efficacy in managing insomnia and minimal residual effects. According to Xiang et al., (2021), Zolpidem is highly effective in increasing the total sleep time, reducing sleep latency, and enhancing sleep quality in patients suffering from insomnia disorder. Clinical trials have also demonstrated that Zolpidem has a high efficacy level in improving wake after sleep onset, which enhances the performance and productivity of the patients affected by insomnia disorder (Inoue et al., 2022). In another study, zolpidem was found to increase patients’ ability to sleep within 30 minutes, eliminate troubles they experience staying awake during daytime, and remaining motivated to get things done (Asok et al., 2019). The effectiveness was high as compared to placebo and use of other agents to enhance sleep.  

Why the Other Two were not Selected? 

I did not select the decision to initiate the patient on Trazodone 50 mg PO at bedtime because it is not the first-line drug of choice for insomnia. Instead, it is recommended for patients treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to manage their associated insomnia (Cuomo et al., 2019). I did not select the decision to start the patient with Hydroxyzine 50 mg daily at bedtime. This is because it is a histamine H1 blocker, which the patient reported having a negative experience with it (Sharma et al., 2019). Its administration is likely to affect treatment adherence, hence, the lack of realization of the desired outcomes.  

What I was Hoping to Achieve 

I was hoping to achieve improvements in sleep quality, latency, after night performance, and functioning in the patient. This is largely attributed to the effects of zolpidem on sleep. I was also hoping to see the patient tolerating the selected treatment (Xiang et al., 2021).   

Ethical Considerations  

The ethical consideration that informed the adopted decision is the principle of beneficence and non-maleficence. Psychiatric mental health nurses should adopt treatments associated with minimal harm and optimum patient benefits. As a result, zolpidem has more benefits than harm as compared to the given options (Xiang et al., 2021).  

Decision 2 

Selected Decision  

Discontinue zolpidem and initiate therapy with Trazodone 50-100 mg daily at bedtime.  

Why I Selected the Decision  

The decision to discontinue zolpidem and initiate therapy with trazodone 50-100 mg daily at bedtime was adopted. This is because the patient returned to the clinic with complains that suggested that he developed adverse effects associated with zolpidem. Accordingly, he reports that he felt knocked out, waking up in the middle of the night and cooking breakfast and having no recollection of the occurrence, and taking the medication with beer right before bedtime to get sleep. As shown by Asok et al., (2019), these are some of the unwanted side effects of zolpidem. Trazodone would be the best drug of choice at this time. According to Pochiero et al., (2022), Trazodone is an off-label drug that is used in treating acute cases of insomnia because of its high affinity for alpha 1 and serotonin 2A receptors that regulate sleep. The long-term use of trazodone is associated with improved sleep complaints and enhanced cognitive and functional scores among patients suffering from insomnia (La et al., 2019). Therefore, it makes it an effective drug to manage insomnia symptoms for the patient.  

Why the Other Two were not Selected? 

I did not select the decision to decrease zolpidem to 5 mg daily at bedtime because the client demonstrated symptoms of adverse reaction to the drug. Its continued administration is associated with the increased risk of worsening symptoms and poor treatment adherence. I did not select the decision to discontinue zolpidem and initiate eszopiclone 1 mg daily at bedtime because it has a high risk of symptom relapse as well as studies demonstrating high efficacy when used in elderly patients (Liang et al., 2019).  

What I was Hoping to Achieve  

I was hoping to eliminate the adverse effects the patient developed towards zolpidem. I was also hoping to improve his sleep quality, eliminate night awakening, and improve his daily functioning. I was also hoping to improve his overall tolerance to the treatment (Cuomo et al., 2019).  

Ethical Considerations  

The ethical consideration that informed the above decision is utilizing evidence-based data to ensure safety and efficiency in treating mental health disorders. Psychiatric mental health nurses should adopt evidence-based decisions to minimize potentials of patient harm. As a result, the decision to change the treatment aimed at eliminating further risks associated with zolpidem in insomnia treatment (Xiang et al., 2021).  

Decision 3 

Selected Decision  

Continue dose. Explain to patient he may split the 50 mg table in half. The decreased dose should minimize next day drowsiness. Follow up in 4 weeks.  

Why I Selected the Decision  

The client returned to the clinic in 2 weeks. He reported that trazodone is effective at 50 mg dose. However, he wakes up sometimes the following day with next-day drowsiness. He denies any auditory or visual hallucinations and is future oriented. These findings demonstrate the Trazodone has been effective in managing symptoms associated with insomnia. The patient denies night awakening and failing to recollect his experiences. He also does not take the drug with beer to enhance sleep quality. The next-day drowsiness is an expected finding because of the effect of the current dosage of trazodone (Cuomo et al., 2019). As a result, an effective solution would be to split the 50 mg tablet in half to minimize the next day drowsiness.  

Why the Other Two were not Selected? 

The decision to discontinue trazodone, initiate therapy with sonata 10 mg nightly at bedtime and following up in 4 weeks was not selected because trazodone had demonstrated the desired treatment outcomes. There was improvement in symptoms translating into no need to initiate the patient on a new drug. Similarly, the decision to discontinue trazodone and initiate therapy with hydroxyzine 50 mg at bedtime and following up in 4 weeks was not selected since trazodone had shown its effectiveness and efficacy. In addition, the patient has negative experience with diphenhydramine, which translate into a similar effect with hydroxyzine (Inoue et al., 2022).  

What I was Hoping to Achieve  

I was hoping to see sustained improvement in insomnia symptoms. I was also hoping that the patient will report minimal side effects associated with trazodone. Splitting the tablet into half was also expected to address the issue of next-day sleepiness (Cuomo et al., 2019).  

Ethical Considerations  

Ethical considerations such as justice, beneficence, and non-maleficence could have affected the adopted treatments. Accordingly, psychiatric mental health nurses demonstrate justice in their practice by ensuring confidentiality and privacy of the patient’s data. In addition, they ensure the adopted treatments are not harmful and aim at doing for their patients. Therefore, a violation of any of these principles would affect treatment outcomes.  

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the initially adopted treatment to begin the patient with zolpidem was ineffective. The patient demonstrated signs and symptoms of adverse reactions to zolpidem. This increased the need for the adoption trazodone to minimize the adverse and side effects while improving the symptoms of insomnia. The decision to begin the patient with zolpidem and not trazodone is that trazodone is largely used in patients with insomnia associated with other disorders. The selection of trazodone proved effective for the patient. There was the elimination of night awakening, feeling knocked out, and having to add beer to enhance his sleep quality. The patient reported feeling sleepy the following day, which necessitated the splitting of the Trazodone 50 mg table into half to address it (Cuomo et al., 2019). This decision led to further improvement in insomnia symptoms and drug tolerance, hence, the effectiveness of the decision. 

Ethical considerations informed the patient’s treatment. Accordingly, the decisions made aimed at ensuring the promotion of safety, efficiency, and quality in the treatment process. The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner made the decisions with the aim of optimizing benefits while minimizing the potential harm the selected drugs had on the patient. In addition, the principles of justice, autonomy, and beneficence, and non-maleficence informed the decisions made in the case study. For example, by minimizing harm, the nurse ensured the principle of non-maleficence. The use of evidence-based interventions in decision-making aimed at doing good for the patients (Xiang et al., 2021). Therefore, ethics guided the selected decisions in the patient’s treatment.  

References 

Asok, A., Sreekumar, S., TK, R., CC, A., P, U. D., & K, P. (2019). Effectiveness of zolpidem and sleep hygiene counseling in the treatment of insomnia in solid tumor patients. Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, 25(7), 1608–1612. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078155218801062 

Cuomo, A., Ballerini, A., Bruni, A. C., Decina, P., Sciascio, G. D., Fiorentini, A., Scaglione, F., Vampini, C., & Fagiolini, A. (2019). Clinical guidance for the use of trazodone in major depressive disorder and concomitant conditions: Pharmacology and clinical practice. Rivista di Psichiatria, 54(4), 137–149. 

Inoue, Y., Nishida, M., Kubota, N., Koebis, M., Taninaga, T., Muramoto, K., Ishikawa, K., & Moline, M. (2022). Comparison of the treatment effectiveness between lemborexant and zolpidem tartrate extended release for insomnia disorder subtypes defined based on polysomnographic findings. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.10378 

La, A. L., Walsh, C. M., Neylan, T. C., Vossel, K. A., Yaffe, K., Krystal, A. D., Miller, B. L., & Karageorgiou, E. (2019). Long-Term Trazodone Use and Cognition: A Potential Therapeutic Role for Slow-Wave Sleep Enhancers. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 67(3), 911–921. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-181145 

Liang, L., Huang, Y., Xu, R., Wei, Y., Xiao, L., & Wang, G. (2019). Eszopiclone for the treatment of primary insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Sleep Medicine, 62, 6–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2019.03.016 

Pochiero, I., Gorini, M., Comandini, A., Calisti, F., Loreto, G. D., Cattaneo, A., Knight, T., Anastassopoulos, K. P., Patel, R., Baik, R., & Bruni, O. (2022). Real-World Characteristics and Treatment Patterns of Patients With Insomnia Prescribed Trazodone in the United States. Clinical Therapeutics, 44(8), 1093–1105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2022.07.004 

Sharma, M. K., Kainth, S., Kumar, S., Bhardwaj, A., Agarwal, H. K., Maiwall, R., Jamwal, K. D., Shasthry, S. M., Jindal, A., Choudhary, A., Anand, L., Dhamija, R. M., Kumar, G., Sharma, B. C., & Sarin, S. K. (2019). Effects of zolpidem on sleep parameters in patients with cirrhosis and sleep disturbances: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, 25(2), 199–209. https://doi.org/10.3350/cmh.2018.0084 

Xiang, T., Cai, Y., Hong, Z., & Pan, J. (2021). Efficacy and safety of Zolpidem in the treatment of insomnia disorder for one month: A meta-analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Sleep Medicine, 87, 250–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2021.09.005 

‌Sample Answer 3 for NURS 6630 Assessing and Treating Patients With Sleep Wake Disorders

Introduction

The patient, in this case, is a 31-year-old man with insomnia. The condition began six months ago after the sudden death of his wife. He is employed as a forklift operator at a local chemical company, but his health condition has affected his ability to perform his work. The patient claims that he has utilized diphenhydramine for sleeping in the past, but he does not like how he feels the next morning after using the medication. According to the patient’s prior physician’s medical record, he was abusing opiates after injuring his ankle in a skiing accident. The patient’s previous physician prescribed him hydrocodone/APAP (acetaminophen) for acute pain management after the accident. For four years, the individual has not received a prescription for an opiate analgesic. He points out that he has recently consumed approximately four beers to help him fall asleep. The patient is attentive and aware of the person talking to him, location, time, and incident. He maintains eye contact and is dressed appropriately for the season. All aspects of judgment, insight, and reality contact remain intact. The man also denies any suicidal ideas and is focused on the future.

Decision One

The treatment should start with Trazodone 10 mg daily at bedtime. Trazodone has been approved as an effective treatment for insomnia. The medicine is effective in lower doses in treating primary and secondary insomnia. Due to its generic availability, the medication is less expensive than newer insomnia medications. Trazodone can also be an effective sleep aid when taken in lower doses. The other reason for selecting the medication is that it is not addictive compared to other insomnia medications such as benzodiazepine class medication such as Valium and Xanax (Yi et al, 2018). The medication can also help the patient improve slow wave sleep, and the medication also has fewer side effects than most of the other medications used in treating insomnia.

There are various reasons why Zolpidem was not selected. The medication can result in severe allergic reactions in some patients. The various signs of allergic reaction due to the medication include swelling of the face and difficulty in breathing. The other reason is that the sedative effect of the medication is stronger than the other available options. The medication can also make a patient experience severe dizziness and drowsiness, resulting in falls, accidents, and severe injuries. Considering the nature of the patient’s work, the medication is not a good option because it can result in daytime drowsiness and dizziness, making the patient not conduct his job effectively. The medication can also result in a high level of aggressiveness and extroversion that is abnormal compared to the patient’s usual behavior (Jung, 2018). Considering that the patient has confirmed that he takes alcohol, Zolpidem cannot be used in the treatment process because the patient can experience auditory and visual hallucinations associated with strange behavior due to alcohol toxicity. Hydroxyzine 50mg was also not selected due to various. One of the main reasons is that the medication has a high side effects profile compared to Trazodone. The medication can also lead to daytime sedation, affecting how the patient will perform at work. Hydroxyzine can also result in various side effects such as skin rash, fast heartbeat, difficulty in swallowing, and chest discomfort (Silvestro, 2021).

From the treatment process, I expect that Trazodone will effectively treat the patient’s condition, and he will be able to sleep well. The patient experience an erection, which will last for approximately 15 minutes as a side effect of the medication. Ethical consideration will positively impact the treatment plan and when communicating with the patient. For instance, every decision and action that I will take will be for the fulfillment of the obligation to provide optimal care to the patient.

Decision Two

 Explaining to the patient that an erection that lasts for approximately 15 minutes that he is experiencing is not priapism and should end over time, and he should continue taking the current dose. I choose this decision because the medication effectively treats insomnia, and the patient has enough sleep at night. Continuing with the current dose is also important because the patient is not experiencing any severe side effects apart from the prolonged erections and priapism due to its adrenergic blocking activity.

I did not select the decision to discontinue Trazodone and initiate treatment with suvorexant 1o mg at bedtime daily because of various reasons. Trazodone effectively treated the patient’s condition, and the patient did not experience any side effects; hence, changing the medication will negatively impact the treatment process. Initiating treatment with suvorexant is not a good decision. The medication is associated with various side effects such as next-day drowsiness and agitation. There is also limited evidence supporting the safety of using suvorexant in treating insomnia. The medication can cause the patient to become less alert during the day and feel drowsiness, headache, and dizziness. The medication can also result in memory problems or confusion. The patient can experience disturbed sleep as a side effect and have various experiences such as abnormal dreams, nightmares, and hallucinations. The medication can also cause the patient to experience sleep paralysis or even walk in their sleep.

Decreasing the current trazodone dose to 25 mg daily at bedtime is also not a good decision because the current dose of the medication was effective in treating the patient’s condition. Dose reduction can only be implemented when the patient is experiencing severe side effects due to the medication or it is too expensive for the patient to purchase the current dose of the medication (Yi et al, 2018). Considering the effectiveness of the current dose of Trazodone, reducing the dose can reduce the medication’s efficiency in treating insomnia or slow down the treatment process. I expect the patient to experience a further decrease in priapism from the treatment approach, and insomnia will also decrease. In this case, ethical consideration will ensure that I avoid causing harm to the patient.

Decision Three

 The patient should continue with the current dose, and he may split the 50mg tablet into two. Decreasing the dose will help in reducing next-day drowsiness. In order to reduce the side effects of the medication, it is crucial to reduce the current dose to a lower dose considering that the medication is effective and the patient is getting better. Taking a lower dose of Trazodone is proven to be similarly effective than a higher dose, with appreciably fewer adverse effects such as decreased drowsiness and potentially improved quality of life.

The decision to discontinue Trazodone and initiate treatment with sonata 10 mg administered during bedtime is not good. This is because Trazadone has been effective in managing the patient’s condition. Initiating therapy with sonata 10 mg will is not a good decision considering the patient operates a vehicle in the chemical industry. This is because one of the major side effects of the sonata is lack of coordination which can lead to an accident, especially when an individual is driving. Other side effects of the medication that can reduce the patient’s quality of life include dizziness, drowsiness, and short-term memory loss. Another reason why treatment with sonata should not be initiated is that the medication is habit forming and can lead to dependency and can also be abused (Reeve & Bailes, 2010). Due to its habit-forming characteristics, it is not advisable to use the medication in long-term treatment, and it has not been proven to be effective in treating patients with long-term insomnia. Considering the patient has a history of alcohol consumption, the medication is not the best option and can result in various withdrawal symptoms if the patient suddenly stops using it.

The decision to discontinue Trazadone and start treatment with hydroxyzine 50 mg at bedtime is also not advisable. Hydroxyzine cannot be clinically significant to the patient considering the medication has a comparatively long half-life of approximately 20 hours (Schiffman et al, 2011). This will result in daytime sedation after sleeping at night. The medication also has a high side effect profile compared to the low side effect profile of Trazodone. Introducing hydroxyzine can also result in other adverse side effects such as Xerostomia and Xerophthalmia.

From the treatment approach, I expect the patient condition to become better after another four weeks of using the medication. Priapism will also diminish completely, and the level of drowsiness will decrease because the patient will be using a lower dose than the initial dose. Ethical consideration will be crucial in the treatment process and communication with the patient because it will allow me to minimize the medication’s harm to the patient and focus on promoting good health (Haddad, 2018).

References

Haddad, L. M., & Geiger, R. A. (2018). Nursing ethical considerations.

Jaffer, K. Y., Chang, T., Vanle, B., Dang, J., Steiner, A. J., Loera, N., … & Ishak, W. W. (2017). Trazodone for insomnia: a systematic review. Innovations in clinical neuroscience, 14(7-8), 24.

Jung, M. (2018). Zolpidem overdose: a dilemma in mental health. The Health Care Manager, 37(1), 86-89.

Reeve, K., & Bailes, B. (2010). Insomnia in adults: Etiology and management. The journal for nurse practitioners, 6(1), 53-60.

Schiffman, J., Davis, M., Pierre, J., & Saunders, C. S. (2011). Hydroxyzine: rational choice for inpatients with insomnia. Current Psychiatry, 10(3), 88-89.

Silvestro, S. (2021). Hydroxyzine (Vistaril): dosage, uses, side effects. Drugs.

NURS 6630 Week 10 Special Considerations for Patient Populations Paper

Introduction 

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a severe and debilitating condition affecting many women after childbirth, marked by profound feelings of sadness, anxiety, and fatigue that significantly impair daily functioning and maternal-infant bonding. Addressing this condition promptly and effectively is crucial for the health and well-being of both the mother and the child. This paper discusses the case of a 33-year-old female, six weeks postpartum, diagnosed with major depressive disorder with postpartum onset. It provides an in-depth analysis of the most appropriate medication choice, rationale for the selection, dosing schedule, patient education, necessary diagnostics, monitoring strategies, and additional collaboration required. Furthermore, it addresses potential nonadherence issues and alternative treatment plans. 

Medication Choice and Rationale 

Selected Medication: Sertraline 

The most appropriate medication for this patient is sertraline, an SSRI commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety disorders. Sertraline is particularly suitable for postpartum depression due to its safety profile in breastfeeding mothers and its efficacy in treating depressive symptoms. 

Rationale 

1. Safety During Breastfeeding: Sertraline has minimal secretion into breast milk, making it a safe option for nursing mothers. Studies have shown that infants exposed to sertraline through breast milk generally have undetectable or very low serum levels of the drug, reducing the risk of adverse effects (Hale, 2019). 

1. Efficacy in Treating PPD: Sertraline is effective in alleviating symptoms of postpartum depression, including depressed mood, sleep disturbances, and loss of interest in activities. It has been shown to improve overall functioning and enhance maternal-infant bonding (Wisner et al., 2006). 

Inappropriate Medications 

1. Lithium: While effective for mood stabilization, lithium is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers due to its significant excretion into breast milk, posing a risk of toxicity to the infant. Adverse effects on infants can include lethargy, hypotonia, and poor feeding (Viguera et al., 2007). 

1. Paroxetine: Although paroxetine is also an SSRI, it is associated with a higher risk of congenital defects if the patient becomes pregnant again. Additionally, it has a shorter half-life compared to sertraline, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms in infants if breastfeeding is abruptly discontinued (Freeman et al., 2004). 

Dosing Schedule 

The recommended starting dose of sertraline for this patient is 25 mg daily, taken in the morning to minimize the risk of insomnia. After one week, the dose can be increased to 50 mg daily, depending on the patient’s response and tolerance. The therapeutic endpoint is to achieve a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, improved sleep patterns, and restored interest in daily activities and bonding with the infant. The maximum dose may be increased up to 200 mg daily if needed and well-tolerated by the patient. 

Patient Education 

Risks and Benefits 

1. Benefits: The primary benefits of sertraline include the improvement of mood, increased energy levels, better sleep quality, and enhanced interest in daily activities and bonding with the infant. These benefits contribute to an overall better quality of life for the patient. 

1. Risks and Side Effects: Patients should be informed about potential side effects, which may include nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, dry mouth, and dizziness. These side effects are generally transient and may diminish over time. It is also essential to monitor for any signs of increased depression or suicidal thoughts, particularly when starting the medication or adjusting the dose. 

Potential Side Effects 

1. Common: Nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, dry mouth, and dizziness. These side effects are usually mild and temporary. 

1. Serious: Although rare, patients should be aware of the risk of serotonin syndrome, which can present with symptoms such as agitation, confusion, rapid heart rate, and high blood pressure. Additionally, any significant changes in mood or behavior, such as increased depression or suicidal thoughts, should be reported immediately. 

Breastfeeding Considerations 

Emphasize that sertraline is considered safe during breastfeeding. The patient should monitor the infant for any unusual symptoms, such as irritability, feeding problems, or changes in sleep patterns, and report these to their healthcare provider. 

Necessary Labs and Diagnostics 

Before initiating sertraline, it is crucial to obtain baseline liver function tests (LFTs) to ensure the patient’s liver can metabolize the medication effectively. Additionally, monitoring the patient’s weight and appetite is essential due to her current poor appetite and weight loss. 

Monitoring Efficacy and Side Effects 

Regular follow-up appointments should be scheduled every 2-4 weeks initially to monitor the patient’s response to the medication and adjust the dose as necessary. During these visits, assess the patient’s mood, sleep patterns, appetite, and bonding with the infant. Monitoring for any side effects and adjusting the treatment plan accordingly is essential to ensure the patient’s well-being. 

Collaboration and Education 

Family Members 

Engage the patient’s partner in the treatment plan to provide emotional support and ensure they understand the condition and the importance of medication adherence. Educate them on monitoring side effects and supporting the patient in managing daily activities and childcare. 

Healthcare Providers 

Coordinate with the patient’s primary care provider, a psychiatrist, and a lactation consultant to ensure comprehensive care. Inform them about the medication and its potential impacts on breastfeeding and collaborate on monitoring the patient’s progress and adjusting the treatment plan as needed. 

Assessing and Addressing Nonadherence 

Assessment for Nonadherence 

Identify potential barriers to adherence, such as experiencing side effects, misunderstanding the importance of the medication, or logistical issues like forgetfulness or difficulty in accessing the medication. Regularly discuss adherence during follow-up appointments and provide reassurance and education to address any concerns. 

Alternative Treatment Solutions 

If the patient struggles with adherence, consider the following alternatives: 

1. Counseling: Incorporate psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to address underlying issues and provide additional support. CBT can help the patient develop coping strategies and address negative thought patterns contributing to depression. 

1. Alternative Medications: If sertraline is not tolerated, consider another SSRI like fluoxetine, which also has a favorable safety profile during breastfeeding. Fluoxetine has a longer half-life, which can be beneficial for patients who may have difficulty maintaining a consistent dosing schedule. 

New Treatment Plan 

If the patient remains nonadherent, a new treatment plan might involve lower doses of sertraline or switching to a different SSRI with a similar safety profile. Additionally, increasing the frequency of counseling sessions and providing more intensive support can help address barriers to adherence and support the patient in managing her condition. 

Conclusion 

The management of postpartum depression in breastfeeding women requires careful consideration of both the efficacy and safety of the medication. Sertraline is the most appropriate choice in this case due to its safety profile and effectiveness. Proper patient education, regular monitoring, and collaborative care are essential for successful treatment. By addressing potential nonadherence proactively, healthcare providers can ensure that the patient receives the support she needs to recover and bond with her infant. A comprehensive approach that includes medication, psychotherapy, and support from family members and healthcare providers can significantly improve the patient’s quality of life and overall well-being. 

References 

Freeman, M. P., Smith, K. W., Freeman, S. A., McElroy, S. L., Kmetz, G. F., Wright, R., & Keck, P. E. (2004). The impact of reproductive events on the course of bipolar disorder in women. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 65(5), 1114-1119. 

Hale, T. W. (2019). Medications and Mothers’ Milk. Springer Publishing Company. 

Viguera, A. C., Newport, D. J., Ritchie, J., Stowe, Z., Whitfield, T., Mogielnicki, J., … &  

Cohen, L. S. (2007). Lithium in breast milk and nursing infants: clinical implications. American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(2), 342-345. 

Wisner, K. L., Perel, J. M., & Findling, R. L. (2006). Antidepressant treatment during breast-feeding. American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(8), 1161-1163.