Pharmacotherapy for Endocrine and Musculoskeletal Disorders

Discussion: Pharmacotherapy for Endocrine and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Patients with endocrine and musculoskeletal disorders often require long-term treatment and care resulting in the need for extensive patient education. By appropriately educating patients, advanced practice nurses can assist patients with the management of their disorders. In clinical settings, patients with endocrine and musculoskeletal disorders typically seek treatment for symptoms that pose problems to their everyday lives as ordinary tasks may become difficult to complete. For instance, patients might have difficulty walking short distances, preparing meals, or even running errands. To reduce these symptoms and additional health risks, it is essential to develop drug therapy plans with individual patient factors in mind.

To prepare:
Select one of the following endocrine or musculoskeletal disorders: thyroid disease, osteoarthritis, rheumatic arthritis, gout, multiple sclerosis, or fibromyalgia. Consider the types of drugs that would be prescribed to patients to treat symptoms associated with this disorder.
Select one of the following factors: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior. Reflect on how this factor might impact the effects of prescribed drugs, as well as any measures you might take to help reduce negative side effects.
With these thoughts in mind:

By Day 3
Post a description of the endocrine or musculoskeletal disorder you selected including types of drugs that would be prescribed to patients to treat associated symptoms. Then, explain how the factor you selected might impact the effects of prescribed drugs, as well as any measures you might take to help reduce negative side effects.

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 36, “Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis” (pp. 591-609)
This chapter examines the causes, pathophysiology, and diagnostic criteria of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It then outlines the process of selecting, administering, and managing drug therapy for both disorders.

Chapter 46, “Diabetes Mellitus” (pp. 785-806)
This chapter begins by identifying the causes, pathophysiology, and diagnostic criteria of diabetes mellitus. It then examines the process of selecting, administering, and managing drug therapy for patients with diabetes mellitus.

Chapter 47, “Thyroid Disorders” (pp. 809-822)
This chapter explores the causes, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, and administration of drug therapy for patients with thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, subclinical thyroid disease, and thyroiditis. It also discusses the mechanisms of prescribed drugs, as well as proper dosages and potential adverse reactions.
English, C. & Aloi, J.J. (2015). New FDA-Approved Disease-Modifying Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis. Clinical Therapeutics. 37(4). 691-715

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article covers new FDA approved medications for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Kargiotis, O., Paschali, A., Messinis, L., & Papathanasopoulos, P. (2010). Quality of life in multiple sclerosis: Effects of current treatment options. International Review of Psychiatry, 22(1), 67–82.

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article examines the process of evaluating and diagnosing patients who present with symptoms of multiple sclerosis and explores treatment and rehabilitation methods.

Document: American Diabetes Association. (2018). Pharmacologic Approaches to Glycemic Treatment: Standards of medical care in diabetes—2018. Diabetes Care, 41(Supplement 1), S73-S85. Retrieved from http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/41/supplement_1/s73.full-text.pdf