Pharmacology Project

[jbjints]

I have to do a project for pharmacology and I am thinking about doing my project on schizophrenia but I am not sure I will be able to fill the requirements. The rubric is as follows:

1. Describe the problem you have chosen. (Make sure to include a section about the target population, the main problem, and any additonal problems which stem from the initial problem.

2. Conduct a brief survey among the target population to gather information on the problem you are addressing.

3. Present the data on the poster in graphic form, but also desribe or summarize the findings of the survey and discuss what you learned about the selected problem.

4. Discuss in one area of the poster what is important to learn about the problem you have described and use the data from your survey to support what you are saying.

5. Develop a plan aimed at educating the public or health care professional. Describe the plan in one section of the poster.

6. Lastly, provide a list of websites, references, organizations, etc.

I am torn between schizophrenia and cocaine use. I am excited about the poster project but at the same time I think cocaine use might not be as interesting as schizophrenia but it may be easier as far as the rubric. What could I ask in survey questions for schizophrenia? From the few people I have spoke to I can honestly say do not even know what schizophrenia but they knew about cocaine use. My professor is very strict on her rubric, I have to be VERY CAREFUL not to delve into the pathophysiology, the poster must be strictly pharmacology.

My professor has also requested that we do not choose AIDS nor diabetes. Please help.

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

Personally, I would think that schizophrenia would be a better project. One of the biggest problems with schizophrenics is non-compliance with their prescribed drugs. This is largely due to unpleasant side-effects. You could take each one of the unpleasant side-effects and educate on how to alleviate the side effect to make it more tolerable and thus the patient would hopefully be more compliant. What are you going to educate cocaine users on? The evils of use? They know that and still do it. I would stick to legal drugs for these projects, but that's just me.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

why don't you look at the top 200 drugs prescribed list (see http://www.rxlist.com/) and pick one of those. lipitor (antilipidemic) and singulair (bronchodilator) are at the top of the prescription list today (not the alphabetical list). they are also the medications you will likely be giving the most as a nurse.

i love my singulair. it not only takes care of my asthma, but also addresses a host of other little allergy problems because it is a leukotriene antagonist (read up on the inflammatory response and what leukotrienes do). when i have gone off it, i get itching from local reactions to irritants in the environment.

[WhoNeedsaShot?]

I agree with the other poster, I wouldn't go with the cocaine use.

What about Panic disorders, alot of people with panic develop agoraphobia, several theories about the etiology, and also a good varity of meds to choose from both perscription and botanical.

Alot of people can relate to it, but its not always talked about....

Just my

Let us know what you decide