Diagnosing and Managing Common Endocrine and Musculoskeletal Conditions

Endocrine and musculoskeletal conditions, especially when left untreated, can have a significant impact on women’s health. Many of these conditions present unique challenges for women, making risk assessments and routine screenings an important part of primary care. As an advanced practice nurse, you must identify signs and symptoms of these conditions and educate at-risk patients so they can also monitor themselves. For this Discussion, consider how you would diagnose, treat, and educate the patients in the following three case studies:

A 28-year-old Latina obese female presents to the clinic with increasing body hair and irregular menses. She now has coarse body hair on her chest and upper back. Her menstrual periods used to be fairly regular, but now she can skip three or four months before her next menstrual cycle. She has never been pregnant. She has one male sex partner.
To prepare:
• Review Chapter 8 of the Tharpe et al. text.
• Review and select one of the three provided case studies. Analyze the patient information.
• Consider a differential diagnosis for the patient in the case study you selected. Think about the most likely diagnosis for the patient.
• Reflect on the appropriate clinical guidelines. Think about a treatment and management plan for the patient. Be sure to consider appropriate dosages for any recommended pharmacologic and/or nonpharmacologic treatments.
• Consider strategies for educating patients on the treatment and management of the disorder you identified as your primary diagnosis.
Post on or before Day 3 an explanation of the differential diagnosis for the patient in the case study you selected. Explain which is the most likely diagnosis for the patient and why. Then, based on the appropriate clinical guidelines, explain a treatment and management plan for the patient, including proper dosages for any recommended treatments. Finally, explain strategies for educating patients on the disorder.

Readings
• Schuiling, K. D., & Likis, F. E. (2013). Women’s gynecologic health (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
o Chapter 22, “Urinary Tract Infection in Women” (pp. 535–546)

This chapter describes the etiology of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. It also examines strategies for assessing, diagnosing, and managing UTIs in women, including special considerations for adolescents, postmenopausal women, and pregnant women.
o Chapter 23, “Urinary Incontinence” (pp. 547–571)

This chapter examines the anatomy of the pelvic structures and its relationship to urinary incontinence. It also provides strategies for assessing, diagnosing, treating, and managing urinary incontinence in women.
• Tharpe, N. L., Farley, C., & Jordan, R. G. (2013). Clinical practice guidelines for midwifery & Women’s health (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
o Review: Chapter 8, “Primary Care in Women’s Health” (pp. 431–560)

This chapter explores health promotion and disease prevention in women’s health. It also examines the presentation and treatment of various systemic conditions, including those of the endocrine and musculoskeletal systems.