Understand and be able to articulate the fundamentals of neurotransmission as it relates to prescribing psychotropic medications for clients with acute and chronic mental health conditions.
Discuss major categories of psychotropic drugs, their rationale for use, mechanisms of action, common side effects, and drug interactions.
Discuss evidence to support and the appropriate use of complimentary alternative medications in patients that are experiencing acute and chronic mental health conditions seeking adjunctive or monotherapy treatment while considering cultural and genetic factors as well as patient values.
Utilize clinical assessment tools associated with diagnosing and prescribing for psychiatric disorders and begin to utilize these tools in clinical settings to assist with diagnosis and treatment of chronic mental health conditions.
Propose psychotherapeutic medication for selected patients keeping in mind safety concerns while utilizing knowledge of current mental health, medical concerns, age, gender, cultural factors, genetic factors, ethical concerns, patient values, and prescriptive authority impact decision making.
Utilize research and provide basic diagnostic and psychopharmacology education to your client and his/her family when prescribing.
Understand ethical and legal considerations and controversies in current pharmacological treatment of mental health patients.
Please answer the following questions with supporting examples and full explanations.
For each of the learning objectives, provide an analysis of how the course supported each objective.
Explain how the material learned in this course, based upon the objectives, will be applicable to the professional application.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Analysis of Learning Objectives
Understand and be able to articulate the fundamentals of neurotransmission as it relates to prescribing psychotropic medications for clients with acute and chronic mental health conditions.
Throughout the course, we studied the fundamentals of neurotransmission, including the different types of neurotransmitters and their role in mental health. We learned about the specific neurotransmitter imbalances that contribute to various mental health conditions, such as serotonin imbalance in depression or dopamine imbalance in schizophrenia. This knowledge helps us understand the rationale behind prescribing psychotropic medications, which work by targeting and modulating specific neurotransmitters. By understanding neurotransmission, we can make informed decisions when choosing the appropriate psychotropic medication for our clients.
Discuss major categories of psychotropic drugs, their rationale for use, mechanisms of action, common side effects, and drug interactions.
In this course, we extensively discussed the major categories of psychotropic drugs, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and mood stabilizers. We learned about their mechanisms of action, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) increasing serotonin levels or antipsychotics blocking dopamine receptors. We also explored the rationale for using these medications in different mental health conditions. Additionally, we delved into the common side effects and potential drug interactions associated with each category of psychotropic drugs. This knowledge equips us to make informed decisions when prescribing psychotropic medications, taking into account potential side effects and drug interactions.
Discuss evidence to support and the appropriate use of complementary alternative medications in patients that are experiencing acute and chronic mental health conditions seeking adjunctive or monotherapy treatment while considering cultural and genetic factors as well as patient values.
Throughout the course, we explored the evidence supporting the use of complementary alternative medications in mental health treatment. We learned about various complementary approaches, such as herbal supplements, acupuncture, and mindfulness practices, and their potential benefits in managing mental health conditions. We also discussed the importance of considering cultural and genetic factors when prescribing complementary alternative medications, as certain approaches may be more suitable for specific populations. Additionally, we examined the significance of patient values and preferences when deciding on adjunctive or monotherapy treatment. This knowledge allows us to offer a more holistic and personalized approach to mental health treatment, taking into account both conventional psychotropic medications and complementary alternatives.
Utilize clinical assessment tools associated with diagnosing and prescribing for psychiatric disorders and begin to utilize these tools in clinical settings to assist with diagnosis and treatment of chronic mental health conditions.
Throughout the course, we were introduced to various clinical assessment tools used in diagnosing psychiatric disorders and guiding treatment decisions. We learned about structured interviews, rating scales, and diagnostic criteria manuals commonly used in clinical practice. We also had the opportunity to practice utilizing these assessment tools through case studies and role-playing exercises. This hands-on experience helped us develop the skills necessary to effectively assess and diagnose psychiatric disorders in clinical settings. By utilizing these clinical assessment tools, we can make accurate diagnoses and develop appropriate treatment plans for individuals with chronic mental health conditions.
Propose psychotherapeutic medication for selected patients keeping in mind safety concerns while utilizing knowledge of current mental health, medical concerns, age, gender, cultural factors, genetic factors, ethical concerns, patient values, and prescriptive authority impact decision making.
Throughout the course, we examined the various factors that influence prescribing decisions for psychotherapeutic medications. We learned about safety concerns associated with psychotropic medications, such as potential side effects or risks for certain populations. We also explored how factors like current mental health status, medical concerns, age, gender, cultural factors, genetic factors, ethical concerns, patient values, and prescriptive authority impact decision making. By considering these factors holistically, we can propose psychotherapeutic medications that are safe and tailored to the individual needs of our patients.
Utilize research and provide basic diagnostic and psychopharmacology education to your client and his/her family when prescribing.
Throughout the course, we were exposed to various research studies that provided evidence for different diagnostic approaches and psychopharmacological interventions. We learned how to critically evaluate research studies to determine their reliability and applicability to clinical practice. Additionally, we discussed the importance of client education when prescribing psychotropic medications. By providing basic diagnostic and psychopharmacology education to our clients and their families, we can enhance their understanding of their condition, treatment options, and potential outcomes.
Understand ethical and legal considerations and controversies in current pharmacological treatment of mental health patients.
Throughout the course, we delved into ethical and legal considerations surrounding the pharmacological treatment of mental health patients. We explored issues such as informed consent, confidentiality, autonomy, and the potential for misuse or overuse of psychotropic medications. We also examined controversies surrounding certain medications or treatment approaches. This understanding equips us to navigate complex ethical and legal dilemmas that may arise in the context of prescribing psychotropic medications.
Applicability to Professional Application
The material learned in this course has direct applicability to professional practice as a prescriber of psychotropic medications for clients with acute and chronic mental health conditions. The knowledge gained enables us to make informed decisions when choosing appropriate medications based on an individual’s specific condition, considering factors such as neurotransmitter imbalances, mechanisms of action, side effects, drug interactions, cultural and genetic factors, and patient values.
Moreover, understanding the fundamentals of neurotransmission allows us to articulate the rationale behind medication choices to clients and their families during the prescribing process. This knowledge also allows us to provide basic diagnostic and psychopharmacology education to help clients better understand their condition and treatment options.
Additionally, being able to utilize clinical assessment tools enables us to accurately diagnose psychiatric disorders and develop appropriate treatment plans for clients with chronic mental health conditions. By incorporating research findings into our practice, we can stay updated on current evidence-based practices in diagnosing and prescribing psychotropic medications.
Finally, understanding ethical and legal considerations and controversies surrounding pharmacological treatment equips us to navigate complex ethical dilemmas that may arise during the prescribing process.
Overall, the material learned in this course provides a solid foundation for professional application as a prescriber of psychotropic medications for clients with acute and chronic mental health conditions. It enhances our ability to provide safe, effective, and holistic care while considering individualized factors such as cultural background, genetic predispositions, patient values, and ethical considerations.
