Choose a clinical condition from the list below that is applicable to your practice area or clinical interests. Assess the linked clinical practice guideline (CPG) related to prescribing medications for clients with that condition and respond to the following questions. Mine is Hypertension

 

Answer all questions/criteria with explanations and detail.

Briefly summarize the condition you selected and your rationale for selecting it.
Describe the prescribing recommendations from the CPG and how these could impact pediatric, pregnant, and older adult populations considering pharmacokinetic principles.
Discuss how you could apply the clinical guidelines to your future practice.

 

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 Studies4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Hypertension: A Summary and Rationale

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. 1 It’s a significant public health concern, as it increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other serious health problems. My rationale for selecting hypertension is its prevalence, the critical role of medication management in its control, and the diverse population it affects, including vulnerable groups like pediatrics, pregnant women, and older adults.  

Hypertension: A Summary and Rationale

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. 1 It’s a significant public health concern, as it increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other serious health problems. My rationale for selecting hypertension is its prevalence, the critical role of medication management in its control, and the diverse population it affects, including vulnerable groups like pediatrics, pregnant women, and older adults.  

Prescribing Recommendations from the CPG and Impact on Specific Populations

The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines are widely used for the management of hypertension. They emphasize lifestyle modifications as the first line of treatment, including dietary changes (DASH diet), regular exercise, weight management, and limiting alcohol consumption. When lifestyle changes are insufficient, pharmacotherapy is recommended.

Here’s how these recommendations and pharmacokinetic principles impact specific populations:

  • Pediatric Populations:
    • Hypertension in children and adolescents is increasingly recognized, often linked to obesity and underlying medical conditions.
    • CPGs recommend careful blood pressure measurement and diagnosis, considering age-specific norms.
    • Pharmacokinetic principles:
      • Children’s metabolism and renal function differ from adults, requiring age-based dosing adjustments.
      • Liquid formulations or chewable tablets may be preferred for ease of administration.
      • Monitoring for growth and development is essential, as some antihypertensive medications can affect these processes.
      • Medication adherence can be difficult, so family involvement is key.
  • Pregnant Populations:
    • Hypertension during pregnancy can lead to serious complications, such as preeclampsia and eclampsia.
    • CPGs recommend specific antihypertensive medications that are safe for both the mother and the fetus.
    • Pharmacokinetic principles:
      • Pregnancy-related physiological changes, such as increased blood volume and renal blood flow, can affect drug distribution and elimination.
      • Some antihypertensive medications are contraindicated during pregnancy due to teratogenic risks.
      • Careful monitoring of blood pressure and fetal well-being is crucial.
    • Labetalol, nifedipine, and methyldopa are commonly used. ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and direct renin inhibitors are contraindicated.
  • Older Adult Populations:
    • Hypertension is highly prevalent in older adults, often accompanied by comorbidities and polypharmacy.
    • CPGs recommend a gradual approach to lowering blood pressure, considering the risk of orthostatic hypotension and other adverse effects.
    • Pharmacokinetic principles:
      • Age-related decline in renal and hepatic function can affect drug clearance, increasing the risk of drug accumulation and toxicity.
      • Older adults may have increased sensitivity to certain antihypertensive medications.
      • Polypharmacy increases the risk of drug interactions.
      • Start low and go slow is very important with this population.

Applying Clinical Guidelines to Future Practice

In my future practice, I will apply the CPGs for hypertension management by:

  • Comprehensive Assessment:
    • Conducting thorough patient assessments, including blood pressure measurement, medical history, and risk factor evaluation.
    • Considering the patient’s age, comorbidities, and individual circumstances.
  • Lifestyle Modifications:
    • Emphasizing the importance of lifestyle modifications as the foundation of hypertension management.
    • Providing patient education and support to promote adherence to healthy behaviors.
  • Pharmacotherapy:
    • Selecting appropriate antihypertensive medications based on the CPGs and patient characteristics.
    • Tailoring medication regimens to individual needs, considering pharmacokinetic principles and potential drug interactions.
    • Closely monitoring patients for therapeutic response and adverse effects.
  • Patient Education:
    • Providing clear and concise information about hypertension, its management, and the importance of medication adherence.
    • Addressing patient concerns and answering questions.
  • Interprofessional Collaboration:
    • Collaborating with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, pharmacists, and dietitians, to provide comprehensive care.
    • Ensuring seamless transitions of care between inpatient and outpatient settings.
  • Staying Current:
    • Continuously reviewing updated CPGs and research to provide evidence based care.

By adhering to these principles, I can contribute to the effective management of hypertension and improve the cardiovascular health of my patients

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