Week 1 NR603
Preparing the Discussion:

Follow these guidelines when completing each component of the discussion. Contact your course faculty if you have questions. 

General Instructions 
Step 1: Review your assigned primary care diagnosis and brief history of present illness (HPI). Your assigned diagnosis and corresponding HPI are based on the first letter of your last name in the chart below.   

Primary Diagnosis: Pneumonia
HPI: Herald Greer, a 68-year-old male, presents with a 2-week history of cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Herald has a past medical history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure (CHF). He is also a former smoker (2 packs/day for 30 years) and lives in a low-income neighborhood with limited access to healthcare.

Step 2: Consider your assigned client’s primary diagnosis and HPI and thoughtfully discuss your responses to the discussion prompts. Answer the discussion prompts below with explanation and detail, providing complete references for all citations.  

Step 3: Reply to a peer with a different assigned primary diagnosis and HPI. 

Include the following sections:  
Application of Course Knowledge: Answer all questions/criteria with explanations and detail.  

• Consider the client’s HPI. What factors contribute to the complexity of the client? Explain your rationale and support it with evidence. 
• Consider the client’s primary diagnosis alongside their HPI. How does the client’s medical history complicate the diagnostic process, and what strategies should the FNP use to avoid diagnostic errors? Explain your rationale and support it with evidence.
• Consider the clinical decision-making process as referenced in this week’s lesson. What factors specific to your assigned client and situation (e.g., available resources, finances, etc.) influence the FNP’s decision-making process in managing the client’s primary and secondary health concerns? Explain your rationale and support it with evidence.
• Locate the most current clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for the client’s primary and secondary diagnoses. Considering your assigned client’s situation and the current CPGs, what is your recommended management plan? Explain your rationale and support it with evidence.