Hypothyroidism in Adult Women
Describe your clinical experience for this week.
- Did you face any challenges, any success? If so, what were they?
- Describe the assessment of a patient, detailing the signs and symptoms (S&S), assessment, plan of care, and at least 3 possible differential diagnosis with rationales.
- Mention the health promotion intervention for this patient.
- What did you learn from this week’s clinical experience that can beneficial for you as an advanced practice nurse?
- Support your plan of care with the current peer-reviewed research guideline.
Submission Instructions:
- Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points.
Clinical Experience Reflection – Week of June 10, 2025
This week’s clinical rotation was both challenging and rewarding. I was assigned to a primary care clinic, where I had the opportunity to assess and manage a variety of patients, one of whom presented a particularly complex case involving fatigue, weight gain, and menstrual irregularities. This case not only tested my clinical reasoning but also reinforced the importance of holistic assessment and evidence-based practice in guiding decision-making.
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Hypothyroidism in Adult Women
Challenges and Successes
A major challenge this week was differentiating between several conditions that shared overlapping symptoms. The patient in question—a 35-year-old female—presented with non-specific symptoms, which included fatigue, cold intolerance, dry skin, and amenorrhea for three months. Initially, the broad symptom profile made diagnosis difficult, but through systematic assessment and prioritization of likely differentials, I successfully formulated a plan of care that both addressed the patient’s needs and aligned with current guidelines.
One significant success was my improved ability to communicate complex medical information in a manner that was clear and reassuring to the patient. I took time to educate her about the possible causes of her symptoms and the rationale for each recommended diagnostic test, which she greatly appreciated.
Patient Assessment and Plan of Care
Presenting Symptoms:
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Persistent fatigue for the past 4 months
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Cold intolerance
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Weight gain of 8 pounds over 3 months
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Dry skin and brittle hair
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Irregular menstruation (missed periods for three months)
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Mild constipation
