Posted: January 30th, 2023

A 35-year-old African-American male reports

Consider your state practice act related to NP practice as you reviewed it in the previous module and on the AANP map as well as your state’s nursing board. Write a 3-5-page paper about how the practice act for your state encourages or discourages quality and effective patient care for a patient with co-morbid conditions. Consider the below case.
A 35-year-old African-American male reports trouble with sleep for over 3 months. He has trouble both falling and staying asleep. He has increased his drinking habits at night to try and increase his sleepiness before bed. He states he is drinking 1-2 beers every night before bed. He also states he has a history of depression that was successfully treated with Prozac for 4 years. He has not been on medication for the last 24 months and states that his depression has been somewhere from a 1-2 on a 0-10 scale with 10 being the worst. He denies SI/HI, and A/VH. However, he does state an increase in anxiety when he does not sleep. He states he feels fidgety and out of it during the day. His vitals for today’s visit are:
T98.7
HR76
BP 146/84
R 18
Wt. 193
Ht 5’9”
BMI: 28
Your paper should include:
1. Title page (APA)
2. Introduction to your state NP practice
3. Discussion of how the NP practice laws in your state affect patient care
4. Specific case and how it is affected by your state’s practice act
5. Conclusion
6. Include at least 3 scholarly articles in addition to your textbooks.
7. Paper must be in APA format including, reference page, cover page, in-text citations, and overall paper format.

Title: The Impact of NP Practice Laws on Patient Care: A Case Study of a Patient with Co-Morbid Conditions

Introduction:
As a nurse practitioner (NP), it is crucial to understand the laws and regulations governing NP practice in the state in which one practices. These laws play a significant role in determining the scope of practice, the type of services that NPs can offer, and the level of autonomy they have in making decisions regarding patient care. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of NP practice laws in my state on quality and effective patient care for a patient with co-morbid conditions.

Discussion of NP Practice Laws:
The laws governing NP practice vary from state to state, with some states allowing NPs to practice independently, while others require them to collaborate with a physician. In my state, NPs are authorized to practice independently, but they must have a collaborative agreement with a physician to prescribe certain medications and treatments. This arrangement affects patient care in several ways, including the speed at which a patient can receive treatment, the type of treatments available, and the level of collaboration between NPs and physicians.

Additionally, state laws also determine the types of services that NPs are authorized to provide. For example, in my state, NPs are authorized to diagnose and treat medical conditions, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications. This allows NPs to provide comprehensive care to patients, including those with co-morbid conditions.

Specific Case:
In the case of a 35-year-old African-American male who reports trouble with sleep, the NP practice laws in my state would have an impact on the care provided to this patient. As a first step, the NP would conduct a thorough Assessment of the patient’s medical history, including his history of depression, and evaluate his current symptoms. Based on this Assessment, the NP would determine the most appropriate course of action, which may include a referral to a physician for further Assessment and management of his medical conditions.

In my state, NPs are authorized to diagnose and treat medical conditions, including sleep disorders, and to prescribe medications. In this case, the NP would be able to diagnose the patient’s sleep disorder and prescribe a medication to help improve his sleep. The NP would also be able to evaluate the patient’s use of alcohol as a sleep aid and work with him to find alternative methods of managing his sleep problems.

However, the requirement for NPs to have a collaborative agreement with a physician to prescribe certain medications may impact the speed at which the patient can receive treatment. The NP would have to consult with a physician, who would then prescribe the appropriate medication. This could result in a delay in treatment and negatively impact the patient’s quality of life.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the NP practice laws in my state play a crucial role in determining the scope of practice, the type of services that NPs can offer, and the level of autonomy they have in making decisions regarding patient care. These laws can have a positive impact on patient care by allowing NPs to provide comprehensive care, including the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions, and to prescribe medications. However, the requirement for NPs to have a collaborative agreement with a physician to prescribe certain medications can result in a delay in treatment and negatively impact the patient’s quality of life.

Reference List:

American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2021). NP Practice Authority by State. Retrieved from https://www.aanp.org/practice/np-practice-authority-by-state
Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing. (2011). The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. Washington, DC:

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