Reference no: EM133749896

Discussion Post: The Affordable Care Act & the Provisions of Medication Access & Cost

The RN would discuss the need for hospitalization with this patient by first detailing how important it is to monitor the patient and make sure the antidote, in this case Acetylcysteine, gives the appropriate therapeutic effects for the overdose. Acetaminophen can cause extensive liver damage because the glutathione pathway is overwhelmed by too much of acetaminophen's metabolite, NAPQI. This toxic compound can accumulate in the liver and cause damage like hepatic necrosis. Apart from the physiological concern, the nurse must also take the patient's report of wanting to die seriously because this demonstrates that she has suicidal ideations and that she is having something in her life negatively affecting her mental health. In this case, it is the nurse's responsibility to understand what caused the patient to make this decision, does she still actively want to harm herself, is she a harm to others, and if she has a support system of friends or family to help her through this difficult time. An alternative to a hospitalization in this case would most likely involve Mimi going to therapy to get to the root of the issue. For example, since she is a first generation student this can lead to her feeling an overwhelming responsibility to succeed and she does come from a culture where there is a negative stigma surrounding mental health issues.

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What are your views on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as it relates to the provisions of medication access and cost?