critical thinking on why employees should use critical thinking

Objectives

The purpose of the Term Paper activity is to:

• Identify how different microbes can cause disease in the human body (CO4).
• Interpret information about a microorganism, infectious disease, or a vaccine and effectively present it to your audience (CO2, CO3, CO5).
• Effectively inform an audience about the impact of a bacteria/virus/fungi/protozoan on human anatomy and physiology, and pathophysiological impact, specifically within the field of healthcare (CO1, CO4).

Method of Evaluation

Students are required to complete a Term Paper which is worth 5% of their overall grade.

NOTE: Completion of this assignment is a prerequisite for passing the course. Students who do not complete this assignment will receive a grade equal to the lesser of 72% or their final course grade calculated per the Method of Evaluation outlined in the course syllabus.

Guidelines

The Term Paper should exam the influences, effects and outcomes of a vaccine, an antimicrobial or a disease caused by a microorganism. The paper must incorporate research, data and information from the CDC, WHO, and literary sources. A minimum of five credible references must be utilized in the paper. Each student must research and report on a different vaccine, antimicrobial or disease.

The paper must be typed with 1 margins, double spacing and a 12-point Times Roman font. The paper should also include a reference list. The American Psychological Association format must also be utilized for the paper. The paper should be between five and seven pages in length (not including cover page, abstract, references, exhibits, etc.). The paper must be submitted through Canvas in order for the paper to be uploaded to Turnitin.

The rubric below will be utilized to grade the paper.

CriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Content

65 pts

Superior

Provides substantive and relevant development of ideas Offers logical, accurate, and sufficient level of detail Demonstrates an in depth understanding of the ideas Evaluates/responds to ideas in a critical, analytical and persuasive manner

49 pts

Satisfactory

Provides some relevant development of ideas Offers logical, accurate, and sufficient level of detail Demonstrates a general understanding of the ideas Evaluates/responds to ideas in a persuasive manner

33 pts

Poor

Provides limited relevant development of ideas Offers minimal level of detail Demonstrates a limited understanding of the ideas Evaluates/responds to ideas with minimal analytics and with less persuasive arguments

17 pts

Unsatisfactory

Provides no relevant development of ideas Offers minimal level of detail and detail is off-topic and/or unfocused Lacks understanding of the ideas Fails to present analytics and persuasive arguments

0 pts

Not Completed

Assignment Not Completed

65 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Organization

20 pts

Full Marks

Creates a clearly identifiable introduction, body, and conclusion Provides a sophisticated paragraph structure with each paragraph developing one central idea Utilizes APA format

15 pts

Satisfactory

Creates an identifiable introduction, body, and conclusion Provides a unified paragraph structure with most paragraphs developing one central idea Utilizes APA format

10 pts

Poor

Fails to develop a clear organizational structure Demonstrates limited paragraph structure Incorporates APA format haphazardly

5 pts

Unsatisfactory

Fails to have organizational structure Lacks unified paragraph structure Lacks APA format

0 pts

Not Completed

Assignment Not Completed

20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Language

5 pts

Superior

Incorporates sophisticated terminology Avoids irrelevant and redundant words, phrases and other distracting information Contains no spelling errors Lacks errors in sentence boundaries such as fused sentences and sentence fragments Uses paraphrase and quotes skillfully

3 pts

Satisfactory

Utilizes appropriate terminology Incorporates relevant words and phrases, but contains some distracting information Contains limited spelling errors Utilizes appropriate sentence structure in most instances (some fused sentences and fragments) Limits paraphrase and quotes to an acceptable level

2 pts

Poor

Utilizes inappropriate terminology in certain areas Incorporates irrelevant words and phrases Contains limited spelling errors Utilizes inappropriate sentence structure (fused sentences and fragments) Uses paraphrase and quotes in some instances without following APA (i.e., plagiarism)

1 pts

Unsatisfactory

Utilizes inappropriate terminology Presents distracting information throughout Contains numerous spelling errors Utilizes inappropriate sentence structure (fused sentences and fragments) Uses paraphrase and quotes without following APA in numerous instances (i.e., plagiarism)

0 pts

Not Completed

Assignment Not Completed

5 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Presentation

10 pts

Superior

Presents information in a clear, logical, and effective manner

7 pts

Satisfactory

Presents information in an effective manner

4 pts

Poor

Presents information in a manner which results in some confusion

1 pts

Unsatisfactory

Presents information in an ineffective manner with lots of confusion

0 pts

Not Completed

Assignment Not Completed

10 pts

WEEK 2 ASSIGNMENT (covers weeks 1-2)

SCENARIO 1

What are the errors in the following prescriptions (1 per prescription)? Rewrite each

prescription correctly. What is each medications classification and mechanism of action

(MOA)?

Repatha 140 mg IV every 2 weeks #1 1 RF

Hyzaar (losartan/hydrochlorothiazide) 50/25 mg PO daily #30 3 RF

digoxin 1.25 mg PO daily #30 1 RF

hydralazine/isosorbide mononitrate (BiDil) 37.5 mg/20 mg PO every 8 hours #90

1 RF

clonidine 0.3 mg patch PO once weekly #4 1 RF

SCENARIO 2

A patient with stable angina is prescribed nitroglycerin. The provider avoids oral tablets

and instead chooses a sublingual or transdermal formulation. Why is oral nitroglycerin

not clinically useful? Discuss how first-pass metabolism affects nitroglycerins

bioavailability and define both terms. Identify the route of administration with 100%

bioavailability and explain how alternative routes overcome the first pass effect. Include

a sample prescription for nitroglycerin.

SCENARIO 3

Where are the majority of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes located? Using the

Drugs.com pill identifier, enter the following characteristics to identify the medication

AND strength. What CYP enzyme metabolizes this medication? How can this

information be applied to medication therapy management? Write a sample prescription

for the identified medication and strength.

Imprint (E 137) Shape (Round) Color (Pink) Form (Tablet) Scoring (None)

SCENARIO 4

KU is a 47-year-old male following up on his labs that were drawn last week. He

smokes 1 pack per day. He is currently on lisinopril 40 mg po daily, liraglutide (Victoza)

0.6 mg subcutaneously once daily and St. Johns Wort. Fasting lipid profile shows total

cholesterol 260 mg/dL, LDL 180 mg/dL, HDL 43 mg/dL, and TG 185 mg/dL. He is 59

and weighs 204 lbs. What treatment plan would you implement for KU? What are GOAL

Total Cholesterol (TC), HDL, LDL, and Triglyceride levels for KU? What is his BMI per

Medscape calculator? What patient monitoring and education would you provide? How

many risk factors for coronary artery disease does this patient have? Identify them

specifically.

Directions: For each of the scenarios below, answer the questions using your required

learning resources, Medscape, and clinical practice guidelines (ie AHA, ACC, ADA,

GINA). When recommending medications, write out a complete prescription for each

medication. What order would you send to a pharmacy? Include drug, dose, route,

frequency, # dispensed (days supply), refills, special instructions etc. Also state if you

would continue, discontinue or taper the patients current medications (if

applicable). Use at least 3 sources for each scenario and cite sources using APA

format. LIST REFERENCES AFTER EACH SCENARIO.

Case studies are a useful way for you to apply your knowledge of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic aspects of pharmacology to specific patient cases and health histories.

For this Assignment, you evaluate drug treatment plans for patients with various disorders and justify drug therapy plans based on patient history and diagnosis.

Resources

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.

Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

To Prepare:

• Review the case study posted in Announcements by your Instructor for this Assignment
• Review the information provided and answer questions posed in the case study
• When recommending a medication, write out a complete prescription for the medication
• Whenever possible, use clinical practice guidelines in developing your answers when possible
• Include at least three references to support your answer and cite them in APA format.

TOPIC:

Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Vaccine Hesitancy, Misinformation, and the Role of the Nurse

In order to enter this Discussion forum, you will need to create a thread and submit your initial response post first. See instructions above. Please reach out if you have any questions.

Scenarios

1. Maria, a 34-year-old mother brings her 5 year old to the pediatric clinic for her well-visit. During the intake assessment, you note that her 5-year-old has not received the MMR booster. When you ask about the missed immunizations, Maria becomes visibly tense and states, “I’ve been doing my own research online. I read that some of these vaccines cause more harm than good I just want to protect my kids the natural way. My neighbor’s child had a reaction after the MMR shot, and I’m not taking that chance.” A recent local public health alert has just been issued regarding a confirmed measles cluster at an elementary school two miles away.
2. Aaliyah, a healthy 14-year-old Muslim American female, presents with her mother, Farah, for her annual well-visit. Aaliyah is in the 9th grade, participates in track and field, maintains good grades, and reports no current health concerns. Her physical exam is unremarkable. Her immunization record shows she is up to date on all vaccines except the HPV series, which has been declined at every visit since age 11.When you ask about the HPV vaccine, Farah straightens in her chair and speaks before Aaliyah can respond: “We’ve talked about this every single year and the answer is still no. Aaliyah is not sexually active she’s 14, she’s a good kid and I am not giving her a vaccine for a sexually transmitted disease. That sends the wrong message entirely. I’m her mother and I decide what’s right for her morally and medically.” She pulls out her phone and continues: “I also read that this vaccine has caused more adverse reactions than almost any other vaccine on the market. Girls have gotten POTS, paralysis, even died after getting this shot. I don’t trust it. The government pushed it, the drug companies profit from it that’s all I need to know.” Aaliyah, who has been quiet, glances sideways at her mother, then looks at you briefly before looking back down at her phone. She does not speak, but when her mother steps out briefly to use the restroom, Aaliyah looks up and says quietly: “Some of my friends got it and I would like to also, but I just don’t want Mom to be upset.”
3. Darnell, a 58-year-old African American male, presents for a routine follow-up visit to manage his Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). His HbA1c is 8.1%, and his blood pressure today is 148/92 mmHg. He is a school bus driver and lives with his 72-year-old mother, who has heart failure. During the visit, you complete his health history update and note that Darnell has declined both the influenza and updated COVID-19 vaccines at his last two clinic visits. You ask him about it again today. He leans back, crosses his arms, and says: Look, I got the COVID shot the first time around because everybody was pressuring me. But then I felt terrible for two days worse than I’ve ever felt. And it didn’t even matter because I still caught COVID six months later. What’s the point? And the flu shot? My cousin swore up and down that the flu shot gave him the flu. I’ve gone years without it and been fine. I don’t trust that they’re testing these things long enough before they push them on us. He pauses, then adds more quietly: “My mama keeps asking me to get it. She’s scared. But I just… I don’t know

Discussion Prompt

Drawing on your assigned nursing readings and current evidence-based literature, respond to the following in a minimum 300-word initial post formatted according to APA 7th edition. REQUIRED: Submit your AI Detection Report or your initial post as an attachment with your initial post.

Part 1: Overview of the Topic (Address All of the Following)

Provide a brief but substantive overview of the current landscape of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) in the United States and globally. Your overview should address: (1) the epidemiological trends showing resurgence of VPDs in recent years; (2) the definition and contributing factors of vaccine hesitancy, including the World Health Organization’s (WHO) designation of vaccine hesitancy as one of the top ten threats to global health; (3) the role of health misinformation particularly via social media platforms in shaping parental and public attitudes toward vaccination; and (4) how structural factors such as health inequity, distrust of the medical system, and access to care intersect with hesitancy.

Part 2: Select ONE Disease for In-Depth Discussion

Select ONE of the scenarios and its related vaccine-preventable disease, and discuss it in depth:

• Measles (MMR vaccine)
• Human Papillomavirus / HPV (Gardasil vaccine)
• Influenza and/or COVID-19 (seasonal flu / mRNA vaccines)

For your selected disease, your discussion must include:

1. Epidemiology and resurgence: Current statistics on incidence, outbreaks, and affected populations. Why is this disease re-emerging now?
2. The vaccine and its evidence base: Describe the vaccine, and its effect on disease prevention. Address at least one common myth or piece of misinformation circulating about this specific vaccine and refute it using peer-reviewed evidence from the nursing literature.
3. Hesitancy factors specific to this vaccine: What are the most common reasons patients or caregivers decline or delay this specific vaccine? How do cultural, religious, or socioeconomic factors play a role?
4. The nurse’s role: Using your assigned readings, describe evidence-based, patient-centered nursing strategies to address vaccine hesitancy for this disease. Include motivational interviewing health literacy considerations, and culturally competent communication. How would YOU approach Maria (or a similar patient) in the scenario above?
5. Ethical and public health dimensions: Discuss the tension between individual autonomy and the public health principle of community protection (herd immunity). What are the nurse’s ethical obligations per the ANA Code of Ethics in this context?

Part 3: Reflection

Conclude your post with a brief reflection: How has your understanding of vaccine hesitancy changed as you have progressed through the nursing program? What is one area of personal growth you need to address to become a more effective vaccine advocate?

Peer Response Requirements

Respond substantively to a minimum of TWO peers, at least ONE must be a DIFFERENT disease than your topic, Your peer responses must be a minimum of 100 words each and must do more than simply agree you should add new evidence, offer a different clinical perspective, respectfully challenge an assumption, or extend the discussion with an additional nursing implication.

Formatting & Citation Requirements

This discussion requires APA 7th edition formatting for all in-text citations and references. Your initial post must include a minimum of three (3) peer-reviewed references, including at least two (2) from the nursing literature assigned readings for this unit. Do not use websites such as WebMD, Wikipedia, or CDC as primary scholarly sources, though you may cite CDC data for statistics.

REQUIRED: Submit your AI Detection Report or your initial post as an attachment

may chose option 1

Describe Professional Practice, Trends, and Issues within the Informatics Nurse Role

This assignment is designed to help the learner understand the professional practice trends and issues that are currently affecting the role of an informatics nurse.

By researching and analyzing the latest developments in this field, the learner will be able to gain a deeper understanding of how emerging technologies are impacting the delivery of healthcare services.

1. The role of an informatics nurse in the healthcare industry and how it is evolving in response to technological advancements.
2. The current trends and issues facing informatics nurses (for example the use of electronic health records (EHRs), data analytics, and telehealth).
3. The impact of these trends and issues on the healthcare industry as a whole, including patient outcomes, healthcare costs, and workforce development.

By completing this assignment, you will be able to develop your research and analytical skills, as well as your ability to communicate complex information effectively through a PowerPoint slide presentation.

They will also gain a deeper understanding of the role of informatics nurses in the healthcare industry and how emerging technologies are transforming the way healthcare services are delivered.

Your assignment is to research professional practice trends and issues within the informatics nurse role.

You can direct this presentation to an audience of your choice. Please be as creative as you can and really let your imagination flow.

Here are some important points to consider in order to receive full credit for this assignment:

• The deliverable for this learning activity will be a PowerPoint slide presentation
• The presentation will include 3 pictures and at least 5 slides (not including title/reference slides).
• Must includes more than 3 sentences in the notes section of each PowerPoint slide. These notes help describe the slide and what the intention is for that slide. A clear reference to the theory used in the text.
• Make sure to use at least 4 scholarly references to support your ideas (one of the resources can be the textbook i attached) Included citations within slides and speaker notes APA 7th edition. Include all references on a reference slide at the end.

Assessment 1 template: Assessment 1 Critical Appraisal RCT template .pdf Download Assessment 1 Critical Appraisal RCT template .pdf

Assessment 1 Critical Appraisal RCT template .docx Download Assessment 1 Critical Appraisal RCT template .docx

Choose one of the following three primary research studies for use in your assessment:

1. Grgoire, S., Beaulieu, F., Lachance, L., Bouffard, T., Vezeau, C., & Perreault, M. (2024). An online peer support program to improve mental health among university students: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of American College Health, 72(7), 2001-2013. An online peer support program to improve mental health among university students_ A randomized cont.pdf Download An online peer support program to improve mental health among university students_ A randomized cont.pdf

https://www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.newcastle.edu.au/doi/full/10.1080/07448481.2022.2099224

2. Castellote-Caballero, Y., Carceln-Fraile, M. D. C., Aibar-Almazn, A., Rivas-Campo, Y., & Gonzlez-Martn, A. M. (2024). Yoga as a therapeutic approach to mental health in university students: a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in public health, 12, 1406937.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1406937/full Links to an external site.

3. Tchalla, A., Marchesseau, D., Cardinaud, N., Laubarie-Mouret, C., Mergans, T., Kajeu, P. J., … & Gayot, C. (2025). Effectiveness of a home-based telesurveillance program in reducing hospital readmissions in older patients with chronic disease: The eCOBAHLT randomized controlled trial.Journal of telemedicine and telecare, 31(2), 231-238. Effectiveness of a home-based telesurveillance program in reducing hospital readmissions in older patients with chronic disease-1.pdf Download Effectiveness of a home-based telesurveillance program in reducing hospital readmissions in older patients with chronic disease-1.pdf

Resources for Critical appraisal

1. Barker et al 2023 Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for critical appraisal: Critical appraisal of RCTs Revised Checklist for RCTs_updated_1 (5).docx Download Revised Checklist for RCTs_updated_1 (5).docx

https://jbi.global/critical-appraisal-tools Links to an external site.

2. CONSORT2025 Statement: updated guideline for reporting randomised trials https://www.equator-network.org/reporting-guidelines/consort/ Links to an external site.

3. Cochrane Handbook Chapter 8: Assessing risk of bias in a randomized trial https://www-cochrane-org.ezproxy.newcastle

Description

For this assessment select one of the three randomised controlled trials (RCT) provided on Canvas and critique it using the 13 short-answer questions from the revised JBI critical appraisal tool for RCTs (Barker et al., 2023). Your answers must demonstrate understanding of RCT methods and be supported by evidence and references.

What you must do

Choose & read one from the three RCTs provided on the Canvas Assignments page. Download the full text and read carefully (research question, eligibility, methods, results, conclusions).

Download the assessment template from Canvas and follow its short-answer structure. Use the JBI checklist paper for interpreting any items youre unsure about:

Barker TH, Stone JC, Sears K, Klugar M, Tufanaru C, Leonardi-Bee J, Aromataris E, Munn Z. The revised JBI critical appraisal tool for the assessment of risk of bias for randomized controlled trials. JBI Evidence Synthesis. 2023;21(3):494506.

Answer all 13 JBI questions for your selected RCT. For each question:

Give a direct, evidence-based answer about the trial (yes/no/unclear/not applicable + brief justification).

Support your judgement with direct evidence from the trial (page/section/quote or paraphrase) and with at least one methodological reference (textbook, CONSORT guidance, Cochrane Handbook, JBI paper, or similar) explaining why that feature matters.

If a required detail is not reported in the trial, say so and explain the likely impact on risk of bias.

Reference properly. Use APA 7. Include the RCT you critiqued and all methodological sources you cite.

Formatting & submission:

Use the Canvas template

Keep answers concise but clear (one short paragraph per question, approximately 75200 words for each question).

Submit by the deadline in Canvas.

JBI short-answer questions (answer each for your chosen RCT)

Question 1: Was true randomization used for assignment of participants to treatment groups?

Question 2: Was allocation to groups concealed?

Question 3: Were treatment groups similar at the baseline?

Question 4: Were participants blind to treatment assignment?

Question 5: Were those delivering the treatment blind to treatment assignment?

Question 6: Were treatment groups treated identically other than the intervention of interest?

. Question 7: Were outcome assessors blind to treatment assignment?

Question 8: Were outcomes measured in the same way for treatment groups?

Question 9: Were outcomes measured in a reliable way?

Question 10: Was follow up complete and if not, were differences between groups in terms of their follow up adequately described and analysed?

Question 11: Were participants analysed in the groups to which they were randomized?

Question 12: Was appropriate statistical analysis used?

Question 13: Was the trial design appropriate and any deviations from the standard RCT design (individual randomization, parallel groups) accounted for in the conduct and analysis of the trial?

How to justify your judgements (evidence & references)

Primary evidence: always cite the trial itself (section, page, table/figure). Example: MethodsRandomisation (p.4), A computer-generated random sequence…

Methodological support: for each judgement cite at least one methodological authority explaining why the item matters (e.g., Barker et al. 2023; CONSORT 2010 statement; Cochrane Handbook chapters on RCT bias; standard epidemiology texts). These show you understand why the feature affects bias.

When reporting is absent: state not reported and explain the likely consequence (e.g., unclear allocation concealment increases risk of selection bias), with a methodological citation.

Short example (model answer structure for one question)

Q2. Allocation concealment

Answer (trial evidence): The trial reports allocation envelopes were used (Methods, p.5) but does not state whether envelopes were sequentially numbered, opaque, or sealed.

Judgement: Allocation concealment Unclear / Probably high risk. Because the method lacks details (non-sequential/transparent envelopes allow potential foreknowledge), selection bias is possible.

Supporting methodological reference: Barker et al. (2023) explain that adequate concealment (e.g., central randomisation or sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes) prevents selection bias and is distinct from sequence generation.

(Add full citation list at end.)

Final checklist before submission

I selected only one RCT from the three provided.

I answered all 13 short-answer JBI items in the Canvas template.

Each answer includes: trial evidence + methodological reference.

References are complete and formatted per course