Paranoid Schizophrenia

Assignment 

This is a 2-part assignment.

You should apply a problem-solving approach to assessing, diagnosis, planning, implementing, and evaluating care (The nursing process).

Select a patient who has a mental health condition of Schizophrenia – focus on – Paranoid Schizophrenia you may have previously cared for this patient, and this could help to inform this assessment. The patient’s condition should be the focus; however, you should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the impact of the patient’s condition to develop your discussion.

Introduction (approx. 250 words)

Part 1: Assessment and diagnosis (approx. 1,250 words)

• Provide a structured overview of the pathophysiology, psychopathology, epidemiology, and aetiology of your patient’s condition.
• Your overview of the aetiology will include discussion about health behaviours and/or ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences).
• Describe and critically discuss the diagnostic processes and assessments (medical and nursing) undertaken in relation to your patient’s condition.
• Your discussion overall should be critical and evidence based.

Part 2: Planning, implementation and evaluation (approx.1,250 words)

• Provide an evidence-based discussion of the treatment, management and care associated with your patient’s condition.
• This will include pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

Conclusion (approx. 250 words)

Learning Outcome 1 (LO1):

Apply the pathophysiology, epidemiology, aetiology and diagnostic process of a range of physical and mental health conditions to the nursing process

Learning Outcome 2 (LO2):

Relate pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to the treatment and management of a range of health conditions.

Learning Outcome 3 (LO3):

Apply a problem-solving approach to assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care and support needs.

Learning Outcome 4 (LO4):

Recognise the impact of health behaviours/ACEs on mental health and wellbeing.

Learning Outcome 5 (LO5):

Apply the requisite clinical and communication skills required to deliver safe, effective, and person-centred care to patients with a range of health conditions.

Assessment feedback marks

Focuses on the question set and addresses the learning outcomes.

All aspects of the assignment are addressed in the student’s submission.

Word count is fully utilised.

Student clearly focusses on meeting the learning outcomes within the assessment guidance

10 Marks.

Part 1: Assessment and Diagnosis

Student clearly identifies their chosen condition (or part of their chosen condition- this condition will be one taught within the indicative content of the modules). A structured overview of the pathophysiology, psychopathology, epidemiology, and aetiology should be presented and discussed; the student’s overview of the aetiology of the condition should include discussion around health behaviours and /or ACEs.

Additionally, the student requires to present critical discussion around the diagnostic process and assessments (both medical and nursing) undertaken, in relation to the chosen patient condition.

Student includes appropriate, and contemporary, evidence to support their discussion and analysis.

Literature and support sources should be mostly authored within last 5-10 years, exception may be seminal literature.

35 Marks

Part 2: Planning, Implementation and Evaluation

Student clearly discusses and focuses on treatment management and care associated with their chosen patient’s condition; this should include planning, implementation of the treatment/care options, and evaluation of its effectiveness.

Additionally pharmacological, and non-pharmacological interventions, in line with their chosen condition, should also be included.

Student includes appropriate, and contemporary, evidence to support their discussion and analysis.

Literature and support sources should be mostly authored within last 5-10 years, exception may be seminal literature.

35 Marks

Presentation and structure

Presents work with no errors in grammar, spelling, syntax, or punctuation. Adheres to general presentation guidelines (Student Handbook)

Organises material in a structured and coherent form, with a logical flow this should include an assessment introduction and summary/conclusion

10 Marks.

Referencing

Consistently complies with university referencing guidelines, makes appropriate use of accurate in-text citations, and presents an accurate reference list (standard Harvard style referencing guidance)

10 Marks.

TOTAL: 100 Marks.

Assessment guidance

Is there suggested word count for each section?

We would suggest the following, however, there is not penalty for slight deviation:

Intro –up to 10% of total wordage 250

Assessment and diagnosis (approx. 1,250 words)

Planning, implementation, and evaluation (approximately 1,250 words)

Conclusion and summary – 250 words

Can headings be used for each section?

We would suggest that headings are not used, as there is a defined framework which should be followed- that is the nursing process.

How many references should be used?

There is no defined number of references, however, a wide range of quality literature should be used to support all your discussion – this should exclude use of for example Wikipedia etc……

Should this essay be presented in first or third person?

This assessment should be presented in third person only, first person should not be used.

Can I use a condition or part of a condition?

You can discuss a condition in its entirety, or part of a condition, this is your choice. For example, you may choose schizophrenia, but focus on paranoid schizophrenia.

However, a broad overview of the overarching condition should be presented within part 1.

How recent should the literature used to be?

Unless a seminal article or resource, the literature and evidence used to support your discussion in both parts should be current e.g. published within the last 5-10 years.

Do I need to follow the suggested structure?

Part 1 and part 2 of the essay should be presented as per each suggested section, that is that the first part of your essay should be around the outcomes for assessment and diagnosis, and the second part will follow with regards planning, implementation, and evaluation. Within this, we have offered suggested details of the structure of each part, this does not need to be followed, however, if you decide to present some parts e.g., aetiology before the pathophysiology, that is okay, but you do need to ensure that the discussion is presented purposefully, and naturally links, and flows to the next part.