Write a scholarly paper in Pharmacology based on evidence-based research and clinical practice guidelines.

Purpose
This assignment is intended to help you learn to do the following:

Demonstrate an understanding of the pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of medications.
Write a scholarly paper in Pharmacology based on evidence-based research and clinical practice guidelines.
Overview
In this scholarly paper, you will focus on describing one prescription medication and the disease process that it is used to treat. Specifically, you will provide a concise overview of the disease process in question, describe the mechanisms of how the medication works, and discuss how the medication alters the pathophysiology of the disease process. In addition, you will describe how you would explain to a patient how their medication would be used to treat this disease, using terminology simple enough for them to easily understand.

Write your paper using concise, scientific, and professional language (except for the Appendix, where you will write as if explaining the medication to a patient, using less jargon). After all, “if you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough” (Albert Einstein). Your paper must be evidence-based and cite at least six different sources, including at least one primary reference (either a journal article or a source from an authoritative medical organization) that you will delve into in more detail.

Outline of the Paper
Your paper must follow this structure:

Introduction: one paragraph where one prescription medication and the disease process that the medication is used to treat are identified. Include a thesis statement.
Section 1: Describe the disease and a broad overview of the pathophysiology of the disease process.
Section 2: Describe the mechanism of action(s) of the medication, using scientific and professional terms, as if explaining to a peer. Include a basic 1-2 sentence overview of the pathophysiology of the disease process and then spend more time covering the pathophysiology of where the medication will alter.
Section 3: Discuss in detail how the medication alters the pathophysiology of the disease process, using terms as if explaining it to a peer.
Section 4: You have two options. Use scientific and professional terms in this section.
Option 1: Locate one peer-reviewed journal article where the chosen medication was used to treat the chosen disease. Discuss the population, interventions, and results.
Option 2: Obtain an evidenced-based guideline or treatment protocol from an authoritative organization. Discuss how the drug that you chose fits into the treatment guideline.
Conclusion: one paragraph reviewing the content of your portfolio paper with paraphrased thesis statement.
References: You must use a minimum of six different references (excluding your textbook) that have been published in the last five years. APA citations and references are required throughout this paper.
Appendix: Describe how you would explain to a patient how the medication will treat the disease, using simple terms.
Example: Metformin and Diabetes
Let’s say the paper focuses on the drug metformin and the disease process of type II diabetes mellitus (this is just an example; please do not choose this exact topic for your paper).

First, you would write a paragraph introducing the drug and disease process.

In Section 1, you would write about the decreased availability of insulin, insulin resistance, and mention gluconeogenesis.

In Section 2, you would describe how metformin is a biguanide drug used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2 and polycystic ovary syndrome, and how the drug works to combat diabetes by three different mechanisms of action. Metformin’s first mechanism of action (MOA) works to improves insulin sensitivity and decreases insulin resistance, which increases glucose uptake and utilization. When the glucose arrives outside of the cell, some of the receptors do not open. This is known as insulin resistance, typically seen in patients with additional abdominal girth. Metformin increases the receptors ability to open, allowing the cell to utilize the glucose and decreasing postprandial glucose levels. Metformins second MOA decreases the amount of glucose produced by the liver. Hepatic gluconeogenesis surges around 4 a.m. and, in response, the patients blood glucose climbs. This is referred to as the dawn phenomenon and, like the name implies, is when we see high fasting blood glucose levels. Because metformin decreases the livers glucose production, it directly targets morning fasting glucose numbers. Finally, metformins third MOA decreases glucose absorption in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This is the reason that metformin has GI adverse reactions and why a B12 deficiency in patients taking metformin is often noted (Saathoff, 2017).

Sections 2 and 3 can be combined into one paragraph if written correctly. Note the example paragraph above. The MOA is clearly stated with a description of exactly how metformin changes the pathophysiology of the disease process.

In Section 4, you might choose Option 1 and do a library search on diabetes and metformin. There are many articles. You would need to find one primary reference that has been published in the last five years in a peer reviewed journal. The content would need describe how metformin was used to treat type 2 diabetes in a patient group. For Option 2, you might choose to use a primary reference published by an authoritative organization such as the American Diabetes Association. You could use the Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes 2021 reference to discuss the use of metformin and the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Next, you would conclude by reviewing the content of your paper and paraphrasing your thesis statement.

Finally, after your references, you would provide an appendix containing a simplified version of the information in sections 1-3, explaining how metformin is used to treat this type of diabetes using common and traditionally well-understood layman’s terms.

Action Items
Write a 5-6 page scholarly paper following the outline listed above in the Overview.
Paper Format:
The 5-6 page count does not include the title and reference pages.
The document must have 1-inch margins (default on most word processors), 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spacing, and minimal spacing elements.
You must follow APA style for formatting and references.
Prior to submitting your final paper:
Review this video (Links to an external site.) on plagiarism.
Consult these guides on APA style:
Franklin University Research Guides: APA Citation Style (Links to an external site.)
Purdue OWL (Links to an external site.)
Investigate Grammarly (Links to an external site.). Grammarly is free if you sign up using your Franklin email.
Investigate how to use Turnitin (Links to an external site.).
Submit your paper to the Franklin University Learning Commons Online Writing Review (Links to an external site.).
Note: When you submit an assignment, the Learning Commons writing tutor sends the professor an e-mail outlining any issues and suggestions they identified. The professor will not grade the assignment until after receiving an e-mail confirmation from the Learning Commons.
Your paper will be reviewed and returned by a Learning Commons writing tutor within 48 hours. It is your responsibility to submit your paper with that 48-hour turnaround time in mind.
Submit your paper to Turnitin (as a draft) using Portfolio Paper Draft – Turnitin before finalizing and submitting for a grade. Submit your work to Turnitin at least 48 hours prior to the due date, so that you will have time to receive your report and make any necessary changes.
Please refer to the grading rubrics associated with this assignment for specific information on how your draft and final paper will be evaluated.
Portfolio Project Overview
Portfolio Project Topic Selection
Post a summary of your paper in Portfolio Project Paper Due – Discussion Post to share your findings with your classmates.
Submission Instructions
By the due date indicated, upload your work.
By the due date indicated, post your paper summary in the accompanying discussion post.
Grading Criteria
Your work will be assessed according to the associated rubric.

Rubric
Portfolio Project
Portfolio Project
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroduction (PLO 1)
9 to >8.0 pts
Fulfills
The student addressed the topic with excellent clarifying detail and very good critical thinking. That is, the student very clearly wrote a detailed introduction. The introduction was very accurate, logical, and complete with thesis statement.
8 to >7.0 pts
Approaching
he student addressed the topic with clarifying detail and good critical thinking overall. That is, the student wrote the introduction fairly well. The introduction was mostly accurate, clear, and complete.
7 to >0 pts
Deficient
The student addressed the topic with little detail and poor or no critical thinking. That is, the student did not clearly write the introduction. The introduction was mostly inaccurate, unclear, and/or complete.
9 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSection 1 (CO 1; PLOs 1, 9)
Describe the disease and a broad overview of the pathophysiology of the disease process.
15 to >13.0 pts
Fulfills
The student has described the disease process in excellent detail, showing understanding of the pathophysiology and how the disease has altered the normal physiological process. That is, the student very clearly wrote and detailed the disease pathophysiology in an accurate and logical manner.
13 to >12.0 pts
Approaching
The student has described the disease process in enough detail to understand the pathophysiology and how the disease has altered the normal physiological process. That is, the student wrote and detailed the disease pathophysiology in an accurate and logical manner.
12 to >0 pts
Deficient
The student did not sufficiently describe the disease process in enough detail to understand the pathophysiology and how the disease has altered the normal physiological process. That is, the student did not write and detail the disease pathophysiology in an accurate and logical manner.
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSection 2 (COs 1, 3; PLOs 1, 9)
Describe the mechanism of action(s) of the medication.
15 to >13.0 pts
Fulfills
The student has described the mechanism of action of the chosen drug in excellent detail, showing an understanding of how the drug alters a physiological process. That is, the student very clearly wrote and detailed the mechanism of action of the drug in an accurate and logical manner.
13 to >12.0 pts
Approaching
The student has described the mechanism of action of the chosen drug in enough detail to understand how the drug alters a physiological process. That is, the student wrote and detailed the mechanism of action of the drug in an accurate and logical manner.
12 to >0 pts
Deficient
The student did not sufficiently describe mechanism of action of the chosen drug in enough detail to understand how the drug alters a physiological process. That is, the student did not write and detail the mechanism of action of the drug in an accurate and logical manner.
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSection 3 (COs 1, 3; PLOs 1, 9)
Discuss in detail how the medication alters the pathophysiology of the disease process.
15 to >13.0 pts
Fulfills
The student has described in excellent detail how the chosen drug alters a physiological process and how that process is related to the chosen disease process. That is, the student very clearly wrote and detailed the link between medication and disease in an accurate and logical manner.
13 to >12.0 pts
Approaching
The student has described how the chosen drug alters a physiological process and how that process is related to the chosen disease process. That is, the student wrote and detailed the link between medication and disease in an accurate and logical manner.
12 to >0 pts
Deficient
The student did not sufficiently describe how the chosen drug alters a physiological process and how that process is related to the chosen disease process. That is, the student did not write and detail the link between medication and disease in an accurate and logical manner.
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSection 4 (CO 1; PLOs 1, 8, 9)
Locate and discuss either 1) one peer-reviewed journal article where the chosen medication was used to treat the chosen disease or 2) an evidence-based guideline or treatment protocol from an authoritative organization.
15 to >13.0 pts
Fulfills
The student has located a peer-reviewed journal article or a source from an authoritative organization that is relevant to both the drug and disease discussed in the portfolio project. The learner has also provided an excellent summary of the source in their own words that details the population, interventions, and results in an accurate and logical manner.
13 to >12.0 pts
Approaching
The student has located a peer-reviewed journal article or a source from an authoritative organization that is relevant to both the drug and disease discussed in the portfolio project. The learner has also provided an adequate summary of the source in their own words that details the population, interventions, and results in an accurate and logical manner.
12 to >0 pts
Deficient
The student did not locate an appropriate peer-reviewed journal article or a source from an authoritative organization that is relevant to both the drug and disease discussed in the portfolio project. And/or the learner did not provide an adequate summary of the source in their own words that details the population, interventions, and results in an accurate and logical manner.
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConclusion
10 to >9.0 pts
Fulfills
The student very clearly wrote and detailed the conclusion with credible evidence and very good rationale for their choice. The conclusion was very accurate, logical, and complete.
9 to >8.0 pts
Approaching
The student wrote the conclusion fairly well with evidence and rationale for their choice. The conclusion was mostly accurate, clear, and complete.
8 to >0 pts
Deficient
The student did not clearly write the conclusion, and there was little to no evidence or rationale for their choice. The conclusion was mostly inaccurate, unclear, and/or complete.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAppendix (CO 2; PLOs 8, 9)
Describe how you would explain to a patient how the medication will treat the disease.
15 to >13.0 pts
Fulfills
The student has described the disease process and treatment in a manner that could be easily understood by patients in a clinical setting.
13 to >12.0 pts
Approaching
The student has described the disease process and treatment that could be understood by patients in a clinical setting, though in some instances the language could be made more clear or simple.
12 to >0 pts
Deficient
The student did not provide a description of the the disease process and treatment, or they did so in a manner that would be difficult for patients to understand in a clinical setting.
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeNumber of References
6 to >5.0 pts
Fulfills
The student has cited and referenced a minimum of six sources that were published within the last five years.
5 to >4.0 pts
Approaching
The student has cited and referenced three or four sources that were published within the last five years.
4 to >0 pts
Deficient
The student has cited and referenced two or fewer sources that were published within the last five years.
6 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA
10 to >9.0 pts
Fulfills
The student employed APA style in-text citations and referencing with no more than two minor errors.
9 to >8.0 pts
Approaching
The student employed APA style in-text citations and referencing with only three to four minor errors.
8 to >0 pts
Deficient
The student did not employ APA style citations and referencing or did so with several errors.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting Mechanics
10 to >9.0 pts
Fulfills
The student used excellent grammar and spelling with up to two minor errors. The student included all the required sections in the paper, including the questions, page length and format.
9 to >8.0 pts
Approaching
The student used good grammar and spelling with only one major error and two minor errors. The student included all the required sections in the paper, including the questions, approximate page length and format.
8 to >0 pts
Deficient
The student used poor grammar and spelling with two or more major errors and/or more than three minor errors. The student included most of the required sections in the paper. The student was a few pages under or unnecessarily several pages over page length and format.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePLO 1: Synthesize theories and knowledge from nursing and related disciplines to develop a theoretical basis to guide practice in an advanced nursing role.
threshold: 3.0 pts
3 pts
Fulfills
2 pts
Approaching
1 pts
Deficient
—
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePLO 8: Integrate clinical prevention and population health concepts to provide holistic, comprehensive nursing care for individual, families, and aggregates.
threshold: 3.0 pts
3 pts
Fulfills
2 pts
Approaching
1 pts
Deficient
—
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePLO 9: Demonstrate an advanced level of understanding of nursing and relevant sciences and integrate this knowledge into practice.
threshold: 3.0 pts
3 pts
Fulfills
2 pts
Approaching
1 pts
Deficient
—
Total Points: 120

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