NURS 6630: Psychopharmalogical Approaches to Treat Psychopathology

NURS 6630 - Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of Psychopathology

Psychotherapy alone may not be sufficient to address the emotional issues that certain patients are experiencing. In order to do this, psychopharmacologic techniques are required. In order to make appropriate medication choices for their patients, psychiatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) must have a firm foundation in psychopharmacology, which should be built on a prior education in pharmacology and should expand from that knowledge. Psychopharmacologic approaches to major behavioral health problems, including but not limited to major depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and psychotic disorders, are discussed in this course by learners. During this course, students will learn about the most important factors to consider when choosing medications, monitoring their efficacy, and long-term treatment.

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 Week 1 NURS 6630 Sample

Introduction to Neuroanatomy and Neurobiology


The cerebral cortex, the brainstem, the subcortical structures, and the cerebellum are the major divisions of the human brain. These anatomical structures are made up of interconnected parts that work together to form circuits that are both widespread and highly interconnected. These circuits are responsible for the processing of cognition, behavior, and affective states.

The authors (J. A. Camprodon and J. L. Roffman) thank you for your assistance (2016, p. 6)

Psychiatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) are uniquely qualified to give specialized care to patients suffering from psychiatric diseases. They do so by combining psychotherapy and pharmaceutical therapy in their treatment plans. It is essential that you have a good theoretical foundation in pathophysiology, psychopharmacology, and neuroscience in order to be successful in this profession. This foundation will assist you in assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients as you relate their presenting symptoms to theoretical neural activity and vice versa.

This week, as you begin your study of psychopharmacology, you will learn about the neuron, which is the fundamental functioning unit of the neurological system. Review of the neuron's structure, as well as an examination of the architecture of the central nervous system, will be covered. You will also analyze the functionality of the various structures, as well as the outward (phenotypic) manifestations of their activity. As you complete your short answer assessment for this week, you will conduct an in-depth analysis of these topics.

The following is a reference: Camprodon, J. A.; Roffman, J. L.; Camprodon et al (2016). Incorporating pathophysiology into clinical case conceptualization is a key component of psychiatric neuroscience. Psychopharmacology and neurotherapeutics at Massachusetts General Hospital, edited by T. A. Stern and colleagues (MGH Psychopharmacology and Neurotherapeutics, pp. 1–19), is available online. Elsevier.

Objectives for Learning

Students will be able to:

  • Give an explanation of the functioning and structures of the central nervous system.
  • Give an explanation of the various structures that make up a neuron.
  • Describe the role of neurons in intracellular communication and how they function.
    Learn more about learning resources here.

Resources that are optional (click to expand/decrease)

Acknowledgement of the Assignment Practicum Manual
Describes the organization and timing of classroom-based and practicum experiences as well as the policies that students must adhere to in order to be successful in the nurse practitioner (NP) specialty, as described in the Practicum Manual.

The Field Experience: MSN Nurse Practitioner Practicum Manual is available online.
For your own peace of mind, please click here and follow the instructions to indicate that you have downloaded and read the whole MSN Nurse Practitioner Practicum Manual and that you will follow the requirements outlined in order to finish this program successfully.

PMHNP Study Support Lounge is a discussion forum that is optional.
As a haven of intellectual shelter, the PMHNP Study Support Lounge is available throughout the course. Here, you can ask questions, share insights, and communicate with your fellow students. When it comes to providing global feedback to the group, your Instructor may also weigh in to point out trends, recurring difficulties, and recurring strengths in student posts.

The ability to provide critical and useful comments is valued in your role as a peer mentor. Advanced practice nurses always benefit from hearing what others have to say about their work. Study Support Lounge posts may be procedural in nature ("How do I attach a Kaltura video to a Discussion post?"), conceptual in nature ("How does this relate to the other therapy approaches we have studied?"), or analytical in nature ("What do these diagnostic results actually mean in the context of this particular patient case?"). Although participation in this activity is not required, it provides an excellent opportunity for you and your classmates to connect and study together as you traverse the assignments. You are strongly urged to participate in this activity. Participation in full in activities such as these is a statistically significant predictor of success in these situations.

To take part in this optional discussion, please complete the following steps:

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Study Support Lounge

Assignment: Short-answer evaluation.
It is essential for you to grasp the fundamental function and structure of neurons and of the central nervous system as a psychiatric nurse practitioner before you can offer potential pharmacotherapeutics to treat or prevent a patient's illness or disorder. The purpose of this Assignment is for you to review and apply your knowledge of neuroanatomy by responding to a series of brief question prompts.

Preparation should include the following:

  • Examine the Learning Resources for this week in order to be prepared to complete this Assignment successfully.
  • Consider the fundamental function and structural characteristics of the neuron in relation to the central nervous system.
  • Consider the interconnections that exist between neurons and the central nervous system, as well as the pathway and distribution of electrical impulses in the brain and body.
  • Consider how neurons communicate with one another and the concept of neuroplasticity as you consider your options.

To finish, please do the following:
For your Assignment, you must respond to the following Short Answer questions. Make sure to add references to the Learning Resources for this week in your writing.

Explain the anatomy of the neuron, which is the fundamental unit of the nervous system, in four or five phrases. You should include a detailed explanation for each element of the neuron along with a basic summary of electrical impulse conduction, the pathway it travels, and the net result when the impulse is terminated. Provide specifics and specific examples.
Please respond to the following questions (a list is acceptable for these questions):
What are the key components that make up the subcortical structures, and how do they function together?
Which of the following components is involved in learning, memory, and addiction?
What are the names of the two primary neurotransmitters that are found in the nigra striatal region of the brain and that are responsible for a significant amount of motor control?
Explain the role of glia cells in the central nervous system in no more than three or four sentences. Provide specifics and specific examples.
An region between two neurons where chemical communication can take place is known as a synaptic cleft. Explain in three or four phrases what section of the neurons are communicating with one another and in which direction this communication takes place. Make a point of being explicit.
Explain the concept of "neuroplasticity" in three to five sentences. Provide specifics and specific examples.
By Day 7, you must turn in your assignment.

Information about submitting work and receiving a grade
Please complete the following steps in order to submit your completed Assignment for review and grading:

It is recommended that you store your Assignment with a name that follows the naming convention "WK1Assgn+last name+first initial(extension)" as the name.
To examine the Grading Criteria for the Assignment for Week 1, please refer to the Week 1 Assignment Rubric.
To access the Week 1 Assignment page, click here. You will also be able to "View Rubric" to see the grading criteria from this section..
Then, in the Attach File section, select Browse My Computer from the drop-down menu. Locate the document you saved with the name "WK1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)" and click on it to open it.
If relevant, please include the following information: The I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database checkbox may be found under the Plagiarism Tools section of the website.
To submit your submission, click on the Submit button to the right.
Criteria for determining a grade


NURS 6630 Rubric for the first week's assignments 

Inspect Your Assignment Draft to Make Sure It's Genuine
To double-check the legitimacy of your Assignment draft, do the following:

Submit a draft of your Week 1 Assignment and study the originality report before submitting it.

To be eligible to participate in this Assignment, you must submit your assignment by Day 7 of Week 1.

Week 1's homework assignment

What Happens in the Second Week?

Next week, you'll learn about neurotransmitters and receptor theory, and how they may influence the function of the nervous system's central nervous system. You investigate medication adherence and assess how it can affect a patient's ability to achieve his or her treatment goals.

The deadline for the practicum is approaching.
A number of practicum courses are needed for all Nurse Practitioner programs of study (FNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, and PMHNP), including the Family Nurse Practitioner program. When applying for a practicum course, you must submit your application through Meditrek if you want to participate within two terms.

The Field Experience: College of Nursing: Application Process - Graduate web page provides detailed information on the practicum application process, including deadlines for submitting applications.

Please take the time to check the Appropriate Preceptors and Field Sites for your courses before registering for classes.

Please take the time to review the practicum manuals, FAQs, Webinars, and any required forms available on the Field Experience: College of Nursing: Student Resources and Manuals web page before registering for your practicum experience.

College of Nursing Field Experiential Learning Answers in a Hurry
The Field Experience: MSN Nurse Practitioner Practicum Manual is available online.
Resources for Students Participating in Practicums: NP Orientation for New Students Will Take Place Next Week
To move on to the following week: