NURS FPX 8004 Assessment 1 Professional Practice Report

NURS FPX 8004 Assessment 1 Professional Practice Report

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX8004

Professor Name

Date

Section I: Application of the MEAL Plan

(M) Pulmonary hypertension is a serious medical condition characterized by elevated pressure in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the lungs, resulting in decreased blood flow and oxygen delivery. (E) Pulmonary hypertension may develop in association with diseases such as lung and heart disease, and the most common causes are connective tissue disorders, coronary artery disease, liver cirrhosis, and chronic lung disease. The condition is more common in women, non-Hispanic blacks, and older adults. Symptoms are usually similar to other diseases at first, leading to delayed diagnosis. (A) Since the initial signs of pulmonary hypertension are nonspecific, recognizing and diagnosing the disease early is still difficult. Prevention can be achieved by controlling risk factors such as high blood pressure, heart disease, smoking, and liver disease to decrease the number of cases. Though there is no cure, certain treatments such as medications, diuretics, and oxygen therapy can improve quality of life and control symptoms. (L) Although prevention can be achieved through disease management and lifestyle modification, constant research and surveillance are essential in enhancing diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes among individuals with pulmonary hypertension.

Scholarly Article Summary

Pediatric pulmonary hypertension (PH) has features in common with adult PH but offers specific causes and treatment issues, especially because of developmental lung diseases. Sullivan and Austin (2024) discuss that although children have all the types of PH described in adults, children’s cases usually originate from perinatal and early childhood pulmonary vascular illnesses. Prevalence, symptoms, and outcomes are different from adults and need pediatric-specific treatment. Improvements in PH-specific treatments, multidisciplinary care strategies, and organized transition programs to adult care have profoundly enhanced survival to adulthood. Optimal health and future for children with PH require early diagnosis and individualized planning of care since variability in disease course, treatment response, and psychosocial needs must be addressed. Understanding the distinct nature of pediatric PH is crucial for optimizing care strategies and long-term outcomes.

Section II: Practice Site and Problem

The selected practice setting is a non-governmental outpatient specialty clinic in the Midwest part of the United States. The setting specializes in diagnosing and treating cardiopulmonary illnesses in children and teenagers, such as pulmonary hypertension (PH). The clinic is within a bigger healthcare network but runs independently in a suburban setting with a blend of urban and rural populations. Services provided are diagnostic testing (e.g., echocardiograms and pulmonary function tests), medication management, oxygen therapy, and patient and family education (Executive Nurse, personal communication, March 15, 2025). Challenges inherent in the local environment include restricted access to specialty care for rural families and factors such as language differences and differences in health literacy levels, which pose sociocultural barriers. Internally, the clinic fosters an open, team-oriented environment with pediatric cardiologists, pulmonologists, nurse practitioners, and social workers all working together closely. Leadership is supportive of innovation but has to weigh against the limitations of scarce funding and resources. Compassionate, family-centered care is a cultural value, though high patient volume and staffing shortages at times affect the delivery of services.

Practice Problem Analysis and Significance

The significant gap identified in the practice environment is late diagnosis and discontinuous care of pulmonary hypertension (PH) among adolescents. The issue emerged through internal chart audits, quality assurance, and staff case conferences (Executive Nurse, personal communication, March 15, 2025). The majority of adolescents presented with severe symptoms, including prominent dyspnea, syncope, and right heart failure signs, as a result of late disease detection. Clinic statistics indicated that over 40% of PH-diagnosed adolescents had symptoms for over six months before diagnosis (Executive Nurse, personal communication, March 15, 2025). The percentage is significantly higher than national recommendations for initial diagnosis and treatment within three months of onset to optimize outcomes. 

Not only does the delay exacerbate the clinical condition, but the delay also reduces the potential for viable treatment options for impacted adolescents. National patterns confirm that delayed diagnosis of pediatric PH is a common problem, leading to higher morbidity, lower quality of life, and higher healthcare costs related to hospitalization and intensive therapies (DuBrock et al., 2023). Organizational entities like the American Thoracic Society and Pulmonary Hypertension Association support early screening guidelines, uniform diagnostic pathways, and timely, multidisciplinary treatment to meet the vulnerable population’s needs (American Thoracic Society, 2024). Hence, highlighting the importance of early detection of the disease. 

Implications of Practice Problem

The current practices within the facility do not meet the specified standards because of obstacles such as provider knowledge gaps, restricted pediatric subspecialist access, and variability in follow-up care. The discrepancy impacts patients and families by worsening the disease burden, leading to increased use of invasive therapies such as intravenous prostacyclin delivery, hospital stays, emotional distress, and major financial burdens associated with continuous medical care (Care Coordinator, personal communication, March 15, 2025). At a wider level, delayed diagnosis puts extra pressure on the health system, provokes ethical issues around fair access to early and effective treatment, and tests healthcare professionals to achieve quality and safety targets.

Related Free Assessments for NURS-FPX8004

NURS FPX 8004 Assessment 2

NURS FPX 8004 Assessment 3

NURS FPX 8004 Assessment 4