MSN 563 Week 2 Discussions

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Msn 563 week 2 discussions

Disc 1- Armine

My clinical relevant PICOT question is; For patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s

disease, are non-pharmacological treatment such as massage therapies and music more

effective as compared to pharmacological treatments based on the quality of life and

improvement of care during the end-of-life care? I chose this question based on my

experience working in hospice care for patients with chronic conditions and considering

the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease as a leading cause of death in the United States.

According to Lyu et al. (2020), pharmacological treatments for Alzheimer's disease

can have several adverse effects, and non-pharmacological treatments such as massage

therapies and music have been shown to be effective in improving the quality of life of

patients with Alzheimer's disease. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease often exhibit

aggression and agitation and may be prone to fractures and falls, hindering their recovery.

Given these challenges, I believe that it is imperative for nurses to provide holistic care to

patients with Alzheimer's disease.

The severity of Alzheimer's disease, which is the 6th leading cause of death and a

triggering factor for dementia, was another reason why I formulated this question. As there

is no cure for the disease, therapies such as music and massage are often used to manage

its symptoms and slow down its progression (Lyu et al., 2020). As a healthcare provider, I

believe that it is essential to provide holistic care to patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's

disease, and non-pharmacological treatment options can play a vital role in achieving this.

The use of music and massage therapies in managing Alzheimer's disease symptoms can

help patients relax, improve their mood, and reduce the need for pharmacological

interventions, which can have negative side effects. Therefore, healthcare providers should

consider incorporating non-pharmacological treatment options. This PICOT question is

crucial as it will provide healthcare providers with alternative options for managing patient

agitation and delivering effective, quality, and holistic care.

Reference
Lyu, J., Zhang, J., Mu, H., Li, W., Champ, M., Xiong, Q., & Li, M. (2020). The effects of

music therapy on cognition, psychiatric symptoms, and activities of daily living in

patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 64(4), 1347-135

Disc 2 Aelita
While healthcare providers consistently stress the importance of patients
prioritizing their health and well-being, we often struggle to do the same for ourselves.
Surprisingly, there is limited research on daily job-related stress, despite the well-
established connection between chronic workplace stress and health problems such as
psychological and cardiovascular disorders (Lukan et al., 2022). As nurses, we constantly
go the extra mile to ensure our patients receive proper care, but who is looking out for us?
I have previously worked briefly in a correctional facility and I was exposed to patients in
various high-stress situations, including mental health. I've chosen to explore this question
because correctional mental health nurses operate in an environment with plenty of
stressors. I witnessed many nurses burn out due to the overwhelming stress and anxiety at
work, and I'm eager to find ways to help nurses better manage work-related stress and
anxiety.

My PICOT question is: How effective is mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy in


decreasing perceived anxiety and stress in correctional mental health nurses?

Population: Mental health nurses working in a challenging correctional environment


dealing with stress and anxiety.

Intervention: Teaching mindfulness techniques with a focus on breathing exercises.

Comparison: No changes to anxiety and stress levels in health care nurses in a


correctional setting.

Outcome: A decrease in self-reported anxiety and stress.

Time: Assessment conducted over a 90-day period.

In a study by Burhanullah et al. (2022), it was found that healthcare professionals


working in correctional facilities often experience a high prevalence of psychological
issues. The constant stress and anxiety associated with working in correctional institutions
can be quite challenging. When the stress exceeds a person's coping mechanisms, it can
significantly impact their mental well-being (Lukan et al., 2022). This can lead to a lower
quality of life, both at work and in personal life. Additionally, it may jeopardize patient
safety and put nurses working in correctional facilities at risk. Nurses in these settings take
on diverse roles, including caregiver, mediator, and emotional support, making them
susceptible to mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion (Baverstock & Hulatt, 2023).

Reflection is a crucial skill for nurses, and mindfulness can enhance this ability by
increasing awareness of sensory experiences, people, and the environment (Baverstock &
Hulatt, 2023). Nurses can practice mindfulness during work breaks through activities like
guided audio meditations, staying present in the moment, and engaging in breathing
exercises. Being mindful means concentrating on one thing and paying close attention to it
(Cooper et al., 2020). Avoiding judgment of the present moment is another vital aspect of
mindfulness (Kriakous et al, 2021). Judgments can lead to dwelling on negative
circumstances, emotions, or thoughts. Furthermore, dwelling on the past does not assist in
accepting or resolving problems. Mindfulness also plays a crucial role in self-care by
increasing awareness, enabling nurses to make skillful healthcare decisions and act
promptly (Cooper et al., 2020).
References

Baverstock, S., & Hulatt, I. (2023). Developing the mindful nurse practitioner. Mental
Health Practice, 26(1).. https://journals.rcni.com/mental-health-practice/evidence-
and-practice/developing-the-mindful-nurse-practitioner-mhp.2020.e1406/abs

Burhanullah, M., Rollings-Mazza, P., Galecki, J., Van Wert, M., Weber, T., & Malik, M.
(2022). Mental health of staff at correctional facilities in the united states during
the covid-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychiatry,
12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.767385

Cooper, M., Esposito, C., Luc, W., Salmonsen, B., Sol, S., Wilson, D., & Young, S.
(2020). Luc_the efficacy of mindfulness in reducing anxiety [PDF].
health.ucdavis.edu/nursing/news/Events/. https://health.ucdavis.edu/nursing/news/
Events/PDF/June11/Luc_The%20Efficacy%20of%20Mindfulness%20in
%20Reducing%20Anxiety.pdf

Kriakous, S. A., Elliott, K. A., Lamers, C., & Owen, R. (2021). The effectiveness of
mindfulness-based stress reduction on the psychological functioning of healthcare
professionals: A systematic review. Mindfulness, 12, 1-
28. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12671-020-01500-9#citeas

Lukan, J., Bolliger, L., Pauwels, N. S., Luštrek, M., Bacquer, D., & Clays, E. (2022).
Work environment risk factors causing day-to-day stress in occupational settings:
A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-
021-12354-8

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