ADVANCEPATHO6

Neurologic & Musculoskeletal

Purpose:

To differentiate neurological and musculoskeletal disorders by synthesizing knowledge of structural and functional alterations and evaluating implications for advanced nursing care.

Instructions:

Mrs. J. is a 65-year-old woman who presents with bilateral knee pain that has gradually worsened over the past three years. She reports stiffness in the morning lasting about 20 minutes and has difficulty walking long distances. Physical examination reveals crepitus, mild swelling, and limited range of motion in both knees. Her BMI is 31. No erythema or warmth is noted.

• Identify the most likely musculoskeletal disorder and discuss the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms.
• Explain the diagnostic tests and imaging that would confirm your suspected diagnosis.
• Summarize evidence-based treatment options, including both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic strategies.
• Discuss patient education and lifestyle modifications that would optimize outcomes and prevent disease progression.

Submission Instructions:

• Submissions (at least 2-3 pages excluding the title and reference pages) supported by at least two current scholarly sources