Posted: April 24th, 2025

Two Discussions

KIDNEY DISEASE Discussion #1: Will is a 68-year-old male with a history of hypertension. Eight months ago, he started regular dialysis therapy for ESRD. Before that, his physician was closely monitoring his condition because he had polyuria and nocturia. Soon it became difficult to manage his hypertension. He also lost his appetite, became weak, easily fatigued, and had edema around his ankles. Will debated with his physician about starting dialysis, but she insisted, before the signs and symptoms of uremia increased, the treatment was absolutely necessary.

1. What is the difference between azotemia and uremia?
2. Two years ago, Will’s physician told him to decrease his protein intake. In spite of what the physician ordered, Will could not stop having chicken, beef, pork, or eggs at least once a day. Why did his physician warn him about his diet?
3. Will’s feelings of weakness and fatigue are symptoms of anemia. Why is he anemic?
4. Knowing what you do about Will’s history, why is left ventricular dysfunction a concern for his physician?

Instructions:

1. Your primary post should be at least 200 words long and should include reference to the textbook or another course resource using APA 7th edition format. Your primary post is due by Wednesday at midnight ET.

MEDICATION SAFETY Discussion #2: You are working at a long-term care facility and have been appointed to serve on a new committee. The purpose of the committee is to improve medication safety in the facility. Currently, the medication orders are handwritten in each patient’s chart. The orders are then sent to the pharmacy via fax. The nurses copy the medication orders by hand onto the medication administration record (MAR). The facility does not use barcoding or computer-generated MARs. Medications are supplied from the pharmacy in bulk rather than in unit dose. 

1. Discuss the potential for medication errors in the current system. What processes are in place that could make medication errors more likely to occur?

2. Develop suggested solutions for each of the process issues identified. What additional suggestions for improving medication safety can you identify?

3. What would be the potential advantages and disadvantages of implementing a barcoding system in this facility?

Instructions:

1. Your discussion post should be at least 140 words and include at least one 100-word response to a classmate. Follow APA guidelines for references. At least one reference is required to support your response