Posted: July 30th, 2023

Advanced Practice Nursing Case Study: A Patient Encounter

Case studies allow advanced practice nurses to see the entire scope of a patient encounter, from history to treatment plan. They are also helpful in analyzing complex or challenging cases where the diagnosis is not immediately clear.
For this Video Assignment, you will present your own case study—in video form—based on a patient from your clinical practicum. You will receive feedback from your Faculty.

RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
• Document: AGACNP Clinical Skills List and Resource Review Download AGACNP Clinical Skills List and Resource Review(Word document)
• Walden University Field Experience. (2019a). Field experience: College of Nursing.Links to an external site.Retrieved from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/fieldexperience/son/home
• Walden University. (2019). MSN nurse practitioner practicum manual.Links to an external site. Retrieved from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/fieldexperience/son/formsanddocuments
• Walden University Field Experience. (2019b). Student practicum resources: NP student orientation.Links to an external site. Retrieved from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/StudentPracticum/NP_StudentOrientation
• HSoft Corporation. (2019). Meditrek: Home.Links to an external site. Retrieved from https://edu.meditrek.com/Default.html
Note: Use this website to log into Meditrek to report your clinical hours and patient encounters.

To Prepare:
• Review the Kaltura Media Uploader resource in the left-hand navigation of the classroom for help creating your self-recorded Kaltura video.
• Select an interesting patient from your clinical practicum for which to prepare a full case study. Note: This must be a different patient than the one you selected for the Week 3 History of Present Illness Assignment.
• Develop a case study presentation that includes the history of present illness (HPI), appropriate positive and negative physical exam findings, past medical and surgical history, diagnostic results, diagnosis including differentials that were ruled out, and treatment plan.
• Ensure that you have the appropriate lighting and equipment to record the presentation.
VIDEO ASSIGNMENT:
• Record yourself presenting the case study for your clinical patient. In your presentation:
o Dress professionally with a lab coat and present yourself in a professional manner.
o Display your photo ID at the start of the video when you introduce yourself.
o Ensure that you do not include any information that violates the principles of HIPPA (i.e., don’t use the patient’s name or any other identifying information).
o Present the full case study. Include the history of present illness, appropriate positive and negative physical exam findings, past medical and surgical history, diagnostic results, diagnosis including differentials that were ruled out, and treatment plan.
o Report normal diagnostic results as the name of the test and “normal” (rather than specific value). Abnormal results should be reported as a specific value.
o Be succinct in your presentation, and do not exceed 6 minutes.

Advanced Practice Nursing Case Study: A Patient Encounter

Case studies serve as invaluable tools for advanced practice nurses (APNs) to gain a holistic understanding of patient encounters, from initial history-taking to formulating an effective treatment plan. Such studies are particularly beneficial when confronted with complex or challenging cases that require thorough analysis and diagnostic consideration. In this academic article, we will delve into the process of creating a video case study based on a patient from a clinical practicum, adhering to ethical guidelines and employing professional presentation skills.

Selection of Patient and Case Study Preparation:
Before initiating the video assignment, it is vital for the APN to choose a patient from their clinical practicum who presents an intriguing and medically relevant case. This patient should be distinct from the one selected for previous assignments, ensuring a fresh perspective for this exercise.

Once the patient is selected, the APN must meticulously construct the case study presentation. The case study must encompass several key components, including the history of present illness (HPI), comprehensive physical exam findings (both positive and negative), detailed past medical and surgical history, diagnostic results, diagnosis with consideration of ruled-out differentials, and a well-structured treatment plan.

Ethical Considerations and Professional Presentation:
To uphold patient confidentiality and comply with the principles of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the APN must refrain from disclosing any identifying information or using the patient’s name. A professional demeanor is essential, with the APN donning a lab coat and displaying a photo ID during the video introduction.

Structuring the Video Case Study:
The video case study must be a succinct presentation, not exceeding six minutes in duration. Within this time frame, the APN should deliver a comprehensive overview of the patient encounter while maintaining clarity and focus.

a) History of Present Illness (HPI): The APN must provide a detailed account of the patient’s medical history, emphasizing the current health concern that led them to seek medical attention. A chronological narrative of symptoms and relevant events is necessary to establish the context for the case study.

b) Physical Exam Findings: Thoroughly documenting both positive and negative physical examination findings is crucial in diagnosing and understanding the patient’s condition. This includes palpable abnormalities, normal variations, and any noteworthy observations.

c) Past Medical and Surgical History: An in-depth analysis of the patient’s medical and surgical history can shed light on potential risk factors or underlying conditions that might influence the current presentation.

d) Diagnostic Results: The APN should present the results of various diagnostic tests performed, with a clear distinction between normal and abnormal findings. Normal results must be labeled as such, while abnormal results should be reported with specific values.

e) Diagnosis and Ruled-out Differentials: Based on the gathered information, the APN should offer a comprehensive diagnosis. Additionally, any differential diagnoses considered during the evaluation process should be addressed and explained why they were ruled out.

f) Treatment Plan: Finally, the APN must outline a well-reasoned and evidence-based treatment plan tailored to the patient’s condition, incorporating pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions as necessary.

Conclusion:

Creating a video case study based on a patient encounter is a valuable exercise for advanced practice nurses. By meticulously preparing and delivering a comprehensive presentation, APNs can hone their diagnostic and clinical reasoning skills while adhering to ethical guidelines. This assignment offers an opportunity for APNs to showcase their expertise and professionalism in a real-world clinical context.

APA References: