Assessment One 


NRS390
2023
Assessment details

• Due date: Wednesday 16 August 2023

• Length: 2300 Words including intext references.
• Value: 50%
• Submission Method: Alternative submission method.

Charles Sturt
assessment one
University
Read case study of Brenda Boland 


Overview
Mrs. Brenda Boland is 58 and works as a radiologist at the local hospital.
Brenda has noticed a yellowing of eyes and itchy skin and presents to her GP
clinic where you are working as the practice RN.
Brenda’s background and medical history
Height 164cm Weight 62 kg
Married to George, a police sergeant, they have two adult daughters Zara and
Rizy and an adult son Alistair, who all live nearby and visit daily.
Lived predominately in same region all her life, employed at hospital since
2014.
History of Type 2 diabetes, diagnosed as age 52. Medications 1g metformin BD.
Smokes 5-10 cigarettes daily, has done so since early 20’s.
Two glasses of red wine every night
Denise elicit drug use
All immunisation’s up to date including COVID
Physically active everyday other than employment related
Mother died from breast cancer 4 years ago, father alive and well. Two older
brothers, both well.

Charles Sturt
assessment one
University
Brenda Cont’
Symptom Discussion with you (Practice RN)
Whilst taking Brenda’s vital observations you note the yellowing of the sclera of
her eyes and the skin on her hands and arms.
Brenda also mentions that she had been experiencing increasing fatigue, despite
reducing her workload, unexplained weight loss of 8 Kg in last two months,
appetite loss and nausea and unexplained abdominal pain in her upper abdomen.
Investigations
Brenda’s Dr requests blood tests and an abdominal CT which identified visible
nodules in the pancreas.
Brenda and her husband George attended an appointment with the Gp today,
where they were advised that Brenda’s tests had identified that she has stage
three pancreatic cancer (T3 N1 M0).
The Gp advises that Brenda will possibly need to have both adjuvant and
neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery and refers Brenda to the oncology team
at the local hospital.
During the consultation, Brenda discusses her concern regarding her Blood
Glucose Levels (BGL’s) over the last two weeks whilst waiting for her results have
been higher than usual readings of 4.8 – 6 mmol of a morning. This morning her
BGL, before breakfast was 10.8 mm

Charles Sturt
assessment one
University
Task

• Provide responses to following questions

• Introduction ( 150 words)
identify to the reader what the paper will discuss. Who, what
how. Does not need references.

E.g Mrs Dianne Olney presented to her GP and has been

diagnosed with Non small cell lung cancer. This paper aims to
identify and describe the impact of the stress response on
Dianne’s BGL’s, description of the clinical manifestations of
shortness of breath and unexplained weight loss at a systematic
level. The pharmacodynamics of chemotherapy will be described
and a non pharmaceutical Nurse initiated intervention to treat
nausea will be identified and discussed. Finally a collaborative
care team member will be identified and their role in support
both Mrs Olney and her family will be justified.

Charles Sturt
assessment one
University
Body ( approx 2200 words)
Underlying Pathophysiology
1. Identify and briefly describe how the stress response process could be contributing to
Brenda's increased Blood Glucose Levels (BGL’s).
2. Describe at a systemic level, the disruption to normal pathophysiology that have resulted
in the clinical manifestations of unexplained weight loss and jaundice.

Nursing Management
1. Identify and describe the pharmacodynamics of chemotherapy medications
2.Discuss the difference between adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy and provide a
rationale as to why Brenda may receive both of these therapies, as well as surgery.
2. Nausea is a common side effect of chemotherapy treatment; identify and discuss one
current, evidenced based nonpharmacological, nurse-initiated treatment for nausea and
justify the use of these treatment.
Collaborative management
1. Identify and discuss a collaborative care team member (e.g., Physiotherapist or
Occupational Therapist) and justify how their role would support the patient and their family.

Charles Sturt
assessment one
University

Conclusion
Summarise the key points you have discussed
Do not include any new information.

e.g. This paper discussed considerations for the care of Mrs

Dianne Olney who has recently been diagnosed with Non small
cell lung cancer, and her family. The impact of the stress
response on Dianne's BGL’s was described, Shortness of
breath and unexplained weight loss were identified as clinical
manifestations of Mrs Dawsons presentation and
pathophysiology of these symptoms was discussed. An
understanding of the pharmacodynamics of chemotherapy
drugs and their use in small cell lung cancer was provided and
a nurse initiated non pharmaceutical treatment for nausea was
also explored. Finally a collaborative care team member was
discussed that aimed to support both Mrs Olney and her family.

Charles Sturt
assessment one
University
References and other considerations
• Scholarly paper
• No dot points, no tables, no colloquial language.
• Abbreviations, BP etc ok otherwise define first time used then
use abbreviation thereafter e.g Occupational Therapist (OT).
• Use template provided
• Minimum of 15 references
• Less than 7 yrs
• Can be text books, journal articles, Government documents
• NOT: better health channel, web MD, blog sites, be careful
with cancer council information ( does it pass CRAP test? if
not don’t use it)
• Reference list? Advertisements?
• 7th ed CSU version of APA.
• Endnote

Charles Sturt
assessment one
University
Presentation
2cm margin
Use size 12 pt. font, new times roman, arial, calibri
Number all pages
Footer or header
title page ( see template)

Submit only as a word doc.

Charles Sturt
assessment one
University
Questions?



mpodham@csu.edu.au




3/Reflection-Histo ry-Of-Memes/
182 9172/blogs/2020/Week
ithub.io/WSOA3028A_
https://jesswhosback.g

Charles Sturt
assessment one
University
Thank you