NURS 655 Assessing the Abdomen

NURS 655 Assessing the Abdomen
Sample Answer for NURS 655 Assessing the Abdomen Included After Question

A male went to the emergency room for severe midepigastric abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with AAA ; however, as a precaution, the doctor ordered a CTA scan.

Because of a high potential for misdiagnosis, determining the precise cause of abdominal pain can be time consuming and challenging. By analyzing case studies of abnormal abdominal findings, nurses can prepare themselves to better diagnose conditions in the abdomen.

In this Lab Assignment, you will analyze an Episodic note case study that describes abnormal findings in patients seen in a clinical setting. You will consider what history should be collected from the patients as well as which physical exams and diagnostic tests should be conducted. You will also formulate a differential diagnosis with several possible

RESOURCES

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCES
TO PREPARE

Review the Episodic note case study your instructor provides you for this week’s Assignment. Please see the “Course Announcements” section of the classroom for your Episodic note case study.

With regard to the Episodic note case study provided:
Review this week’s Learning Resources, and consider the insights they provide about the case study.
Consider what history would be necessary to collect from the patient in the case study.
Consider what physical exams and diagnostic tests would be appropriate to gather more information about the patient’s condition. How would the results be used to make a diagnosis?
Identify at least fivepossible conditions that may be considered in a differential diagnosis for the patient.
THE ASSIGNMENT
Analyze the subjective portion of the note. List additional information that should be included in the documentation.
Analyze the objective portion of the note. List additional information that should be included in the documentation.
Is the assessment supported by the subjective and objective information? Why or why not?
What diagnostic tests would be appropriate for this case, and how would the results be used to make a diagnosis?
Would you reject/accept the current diagnosis? Why or why not? Identify three possible conditions that may be considered as a differential diagnosis for this patient. Explain your reasoning using at least three different references from current evidence-based literature.
BY DAY 7 OF WEEK 6

Submit your Lab Assignment.

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A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 655 Assessing the Abdomen
Title: NURS 655 Assessing the Abdomen

The SOAP note represents the subjective and objective findings of JR, a 47-year-old male presenting with symptoms of generalized abdominal pain and diarrhea. This paper aims to analyze the subjective, objective, and assessment portion of the SOAP note. The appropriate diagnostic tests and differential diagnoses for this case study will also be discussed.  

Analysis of the Subjective Portion  

HPI: The HPI states that the patient has generalized abdominal pain that had its onset three days ago. The severity of the pain has also be provided, and an associated symptom of nausea after eating. However, the HPI has missing information on the character of the abdominal pain, whether it is dull or sharp, radiating or non-radiating, and whether constant or intermittent. Additional information should also be provided on the presence or absence of other associated symptoms with the abdominal pain. In addition, factors that aggravate or relieve abdominal pain should have been provided. The HPI should also state whether the patient took any non-pharmacological interventions to relieve the pain and the degree of relief.  

The HPI has not addressed the history of diarrhea. Information on the onset of diarrhea should have been indicated, including whether it was acute or gradual. Besides, the HPI should describe the character of diarrhea, including the frequency of loose stools per day, consistency, color, and volume of stools, or whether bloody or non-blood (Desselberger, 2017). Furthermore, associated enteric symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, or rectal bleeding should be indicated. The HPI should also address food ingestion history or travel history that could have contributed to diarrhea (Desselberger, 2017). Factors that trigger or relieve diarrhea should also be provided, and any non-pharmacological measures the patient took to control diarrhea. 

PMH: The PMH states that the patient has a history of Hypertension, Diabetes, and GI bleed four years ago. However, information on when the patient was diagnosed with Hypertension and Diabetes should be indicated and whether the Hypertension is controlled or uncontrolled. 

Medications: Information on the patient’s current medications and the dosage has been included. However, additional information on the frequency of each drug should be provided. The subjective portion should also include additional information on past surgical and immunization history. 

The social and personal history should include additional information, including the patient’s occupation, interests, the performance of ADLs, exercise, sleeping and eating habits, safety measures, and health promotion activities. The subjective portion has not included the review of systems that presents other symptoms the patient has that have not been included in the chief complaint and the HPI.   

Analysis of the Objective Portion  

The objective portion has provided vital signs measurements and physical findings of the heart, lungs, skin, and abdomen.  However, it has not addressed the general patient’s survey findings. This entails the patient’s general state of health, level of conscience, dressing, grooming, and hygiene. The patient’s attitude towards the examiner, facial expressions, eye contact, affect, and mannerism should also be included. Besides, the general survey should provide information on the patient’s motor activity, posture, balance, and gait. This being a focused abdominal assessment, the abdominal exam findings are incomplete. It should have included detailed exam findings from the inspection, auscultation, percussion, and auscultation of the abdomen.  

Additional information on the inspection findings should be provided, including contour, symmetry, pigmentation, scars, respiratory

NURS 655 Assessing the Abdomen

movements, and visible peristalsis. Auscultation findings should be included, such as the presence of bruits and friction rubs. Furthermore, percussion findings, including areas of tympany or dullness, liver span, the distance of the spleen from the left coastal margin, and tenderness on percussion, should be indicated. Additional information on palpation findings such as the presence of masses, muscle guarding, organ enlargement, or rebound tenderness should also be included in the abdominal exam. 

Analysis of Assessment Portion 

The assessment findings include Left lower quadrant pain and Gastroenteritis. Left lower quadrant pain is only supported by the objective findings but not the subjective information. In the subjective history, the patient reports experiencing moderate generalized abdominal pain, and the specific quadrant has not been indicated.  

Gastroenteritis is supported by subjective information of generalized abdominal pain and diarrhea. Objective findings that support Gastroenteritis include a mild fever of 99.8 F, hyperactive bowel sounds, and pain on the left lower quadrant.   

Appropriate diagnostic tests  

Diagnostic tests appropriate to make a diagnosis for this case include: 

Complete Blood Count (CBC): A CBC test will establish the white blood cell count to assess leukocytosis. An elevated white blood cell count will indicate an underlying infection or inflammation (Mealie & Manthey, (2019). Mild leukocytosis will point to a viral infection, while a high white blood cell count will indicate a bacterial infection. 
Abdominal Ultrasound:  An abdominal ultrasound will help in visualizing the presence of inflammation or organ enlargement of abdominal organs (Mealie & Manthey, (2019). 
Stool culture: A stool culture will establish the presence of pathogens that could be the causative agent of diarrhea (Desselberger, 2017).  
Differential Diagnoses 

The differential diagnoses in the assessment portion are Left lower quadrant pain and Gastroenteritis.  I would reject the diagnosis of Left lower quadrant pain because this is a physical sign rather than a diagnosis. The left lower quadrant pain is a sign that suggests an underlying problem in an organ in the left lower quadrant, thus ruling it out as a differential diagnosis.  I would accept Gastroenteritis as a differential diagnosis based on the patient’s history of generalized abdominal pain, diarrhea, low-grade fever, and hyperactive bowel sounds. 

Conditions that may be considered as differential diagnoses for this patient include: 

Diverticulitis 

Diverticulitis is characterized by inflammation or infection of the diverticula, which are small pouches in the colonic wall (Onur et al., 2017). Diverticulitis can either be complicated or uncomplicated. Uncomplicated diverticulitis occurs without any associated complications. On the other hand, complicated diverticulitis occurs due to the formation of an abscess, fistula, bowel obstruction, or frank perforation (Swanson & Strate, 2018).  The clinical manifestations of Diverticulitis include abdominal pain, which commonly occurs in the left lower quadrant (Onur et al., 2017). The abdominal pain can be constant or intermittent.  

Abdominal pain is associated with a change in bowel patterns, which can either be diarrhea or constipation (Swanson & Strate, 2018).  Fever is usually present in the case of an abscess or perforation. Other symptoms that present in diverticulitis include nausea, vomiting, flatulence, and abdominal bloating.  

On physical examination, there is hypo-or hyperactive bowel sounds, tympanic abdomen on percussion, abdominal distension, and localized tenderness to palpation over the area of inflammation (Onur et al., 2017). A tender mass may be perceived if an abscess is present. Besides, patients can present with abdominal rigidity, guarding, or rebound tenderness with diverticular perforation.  

Diverticulitis is a differential diagnosis based on the patient’s history of abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, low-grade fever, hyperactive bowel sounds, and tenderness on the left lower quadrant. 

Acute Viral Gastroenteritis 

Acute Viral Gastroenteritis (GE) refers to infection of the gastrointestinal tract by viral pathogens such as Rotavirus and norovirus (Desselberger, 2017). The primary manifestation of viral GE is diarrhea, which occurs as loose or watery diarrhea consisting of 3 or more bowel movements in a day (Stuempfig & Seroy, 2019). Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain.  The symptoms typically last for less than a week and usually improve within 1 to 3 days (Stuempfig & Seroy, 2019). The symptoms have a sudden onset and may vary from mild to severe. Patients commonly present with mild fever, mild abdominal pain, and mild, diffuse abdominal tenderness (Desselberger, 2017). Vomiting is present in most, but not all cases. 

Acute Viral GE is a differential diagnosis based on pertinent positive findings of abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, low-grade fever, hyperactive bowel sounds, and abdominal tenderness. 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is defined as abdominal pain or discomfort with altered bowel habits, either diarrhea, constipation, or both (Weaver, Melkus & Henderson, 2017). Common sites of abdominal pain include lower abdomen particularly left lower quadrant. Meals trigger pain while defecation alleviates the pain. Other common symptoms of IBS include bloating, distention, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fever, rectal bleeding, and steatorrhea (Weaver, Melkus & Henderson, 2017). IBS is a differential diagnosis based on pertinent positive findings of abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, low-grade fever, and left lower quadrant pain.  

NURS 655 Assessing the Abdomen References 

Desselberger U. (2017). Viral gastroenteritis. Medicine (Abingdon, England: UK ed.), 45(11), 690–694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mpmed.2017.08.005 

Mealie, C. A., & Manthey, D. E. (2019). Abdominal exam. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. 

Onur, M. R., Akpinar, E., Karaosmanoglu, A. D., Isayev, C., & Karcaaltincaba, M. (2017). Diverticulitis: a comprehensive review with usual and unusual complications. Insights into Imaging, 8(1), 19–27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-016-0532-3 

Stuempfig, N. D., & Seroy, J. (2019). Viral Gastroenteritis. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. 

Swanson, S. M., & Strate, L. L. (2018). Acute Colonic Diverticulitis. Annals of internal medicine, 168(9), ITC65–ITC80. https://doi.org/10.7326/AITC201805010 

Weaver, K. R., Melkus, G. D., & Henderson, W. A. (2017). Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The American journal of nursing, 117(6), 48–55. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0000520253.57459.01 

Assessment 1: Assessing the Abdomen

A woman went to the emergency room for severe abdominal
cramping. She was diagnosed with diverticulitis; however, as a precaution, the
doctor ordered a CAT scan. The CAT scan revealed a growth on the pancreas,
which turned out to be pancreatic cancer—the real cause of the cramping.

Because of a high potential for misdiagnosis, determining
the precise cause of abdominal pain can be time-consuming and challenging. By
analyzing case studies of abnormal abdominal findings, nurses can prepare
themselves to better diagnose conditions in the abdomen.

In this assignment, you will analyze a SOAP note case study
that describes abnormal findings in patients seen in a clinical setting. You
will consider what history should be collected from the patients, as well as which
physical exams and diagnostic tests should be conducted. You will also
formulate a differential diagnosis with several possible conditions.

Abdominal Assessment
SUBJECTIVE:

CC: “My stomach hurts, I have diarrhea and nothing seems to
help.”

HPI: JR, 47 yo WM, complains of having generalized abdominal
pain that started 3 days ago. He has not taken any medications because he did
not know what to take. He states the pain is a 5/10 today but has been as much
as 9/10 when it first started. He has been able to eat, with some nausea
afterwards.

PMH: HTN, Diabetes, hx of GI bleed 4 years ago

Medications: Lisinopril 10mg, Amlodipine 5 mg, Metformin
1000mg, Lantus 10 units qhs

Allergies: NKDA

FH: No hx of colon cancer, Father hx DMT2, HTN, Mother hx
HTN, Hyperlipidemia, GERD

Social: Denies tobacco use; occasional etoh, married, 3
children (1 girl, 2 boys)

OBJECTIVE:

VS: Temp 99.8; BP 160/86; RR 16; P 92; HT 5’10”; WT 248lbs

Heart: RRR, no murmurs

Lungs: CTA, chest wall symmetrical

Skin: Intact without lesions, no urticaria

Abd: soft, hyperctive bowel sounds, pos pain in the LLQ

Diagnostics: None

ASSESSMENT:

Left lower quadrant pain

Gastroenteritis

PLAN: This section is not required for the assignments in
this course (NURS 6512) but will be required for future courses.

To prepare:

With regard to the SOAP note case study provided:

Review this week’s Learning Resources, and consider the
insights they provide about the case study.

Consider what history would be necessary to collect from the
patient in the case study.

Consider what physical exams and diagnostic tests would be
appropriate to gather more information about the patient’s condition. How would
the results be used to make a diagnosis?

Identify at least five possible conditions that may be
considered in a differential diagnosis for the patient.

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To complete:

Analyze the subjective portion of the note. List additional
information that should be included in the documentation.

Analyze the objective portion of the note. List additional
information that should be included in the documentation.

Is the assessment supported by the subjective and objective
information? Why or Why not?

What diagnostic tests would be appropriate for this case and
how would the results be used to make a diagnosis?

Would you reject/accept the current diagnosis? Why or why
not? Identify three possible conditions that may be considered as a
differential diagnosis for this patient. Explain your reasoning using at least
3 different references from current evidence based literature.

A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment: NURS 655 Assessing the Abdomen
Title: NURS 655 Assessing the Abdomen

The abdominal compartment situated between the thorax and pelvis houses the gastrointestinal system as well as other organs such as the kidneys and spleen. The abdomen and the gastrointestinal system encounter physiologic disturbances resulting in several pathologies that range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Consequently, clinical assessment of the abdomen and gastrointestinal system is imperative to assist in prompt diagnosis of these pathologies and initiation of the necessary therapeutic approaches. This paper will explore a case study concerning LZ, a 65-year-old African American male who presents to the emergency department with a two-day history of epigastric pain radiating to the back. The subsequent paragraphs will explore subjective and objective details as well as the assessment of this case scenario.

Subjective

LZ presents with a sudden onset two-day history of intermittent epigastric pain that radiates to the back. The pain has persisted despite the use of proton pump inhibitors. However, he reports an increase in severity and vomiting although there is no associated fever or diarrhea. Epigastric abdominal pain is a non-specific symptom that may indicate both gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal etiologies. Consequently, further evaluation is required, and the additional history to inquire about the history of presenting illness includes the following: The character of the pain must be mentioned since some pathologies present with sharp pain while others present with a colicky pain. Similarly, it is important to ask about the timing of the pain. For instance, if it is worse at any particular time of the day. Factors aggravating and relieving the pain provide an important clue to the underlying etiology. Consequently, it is worth inquiring about the effects of a change of position on the pain. For instance, if it is worse or better in any distinct position. Similarly, noting the impact of eating on the pain is equally important.

Associated factors are crucial as most pathologies that present with epigastric pain also manifest with other symptoms. Apart from fever and diarrhea, questions regarding symptoms such as cough, chest pain, nausea, anorexia, hematuria, hematemesis, bloating, belching, nocturnal pain, indigestion, weight loss, dizziness, diaphoresis, anxiety, and alterations in bowel habits must be raised. LZ also vomited after taking his lunch. Subsequently, additional questions to ask include the number of episodes, constituents, amount, and the color of the vomitus, if other family members who ate the same meal vomited, and associated factors since vomiting is a non-specific symptom. Other parts of history that are considered significant include history of medication use particularly NSAIDs, steroids, and anticonvulsants among others, history of trauma, nutritional history including the diet and caffeine intake, and family history of similar presentation.

Additionally, LZ has a positive history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and GERD as well as a history of alcohol and smoking. The aforementioned factors are regarded as significant risk factors underlying several gastrointestinal pathologies. Consequently, it is important to quantify both smoking and alcohol intake and determine if the blood pressure and hyperlipidemia are well controlled. Finally, it is necessary to ask if he is stressed following divorce.

Objective

The analysis of the vital signs demonstrates that LZ with a blood pressure of 91/60 mmHg is hypotensive since he is a known hypertensive patient on metoprolol. Similarly, he is overweight which carries moderate health risks. The respiratory, dermatological, and cardiovascular systems revealed no abnormalities. Nevertheless, exhaustive examination with regards to inspection, palpation, auscultation, and percussion is crucial, particularly for the chest. auscultation particularly for the chest Findings noted on the abdominal exam include tenderness in the epigastric area with guarding although no masses or rebound tenderness. Additional features that are crucial to highlight in the physical examination include the general exam which focuses on the general appearance of the patient. Similarly, a detailed abdominal examination including comprehensive findings on auscultation, inspection, palpation, and percussion is crucial since different diseases present with different abdominal signs. Finally, a neurological examination is also significant as vomiting can be a manifestation of neurologic disease.

Assessment

Investigations necessary to assist in the diagnosis of his condition and rule out other causes of epigastric pain include both laboratory and radiological studies. Laboratory investigations include complete blood count with differential, urea, creatinine, and electrolytes, liver function tests, coagulation profile, serum amylase, and lipase levels, ESR/CRP, procalcitonin, blood glucose levels, LDH, lactate levels, serum triglycerides, calcium levels, stool for H. pylori antigen, and serum gastrin levels. The abovementioned laboratory tests are vital in evaluating the common causes of epigastric pain radiating to the back such as acute pancreatitis and peptic ulcer disease (Patterson et al., 2022).

On the other hand, imaging tests include ECG to rule out pericarditis, abdominal ultrasound to check for gallstones, liver or renal problems, abdominal X-ray which may reveal pneumoperitoneum in the case of a perforated ulcer, Chest X-ray and CT thorax, abdomen and Pelvis to identify possible pancreatitis and abdominal aortic aneurysm (Patterson et al., 2022). Finally, endoscopy is critical as both GERD and peptic ulcer disease are possible differentials.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm, acute pancreatitis, and perforated peptic ulcer are among the potential diagnosis for LZ’s presentation. Abdominal aortic aneurism refers to focal dilatation of the abdominal aorta to more than 1.5 times its ordinary diameter (Sakalihasan et al., 2018). Predisposing factors for this condition include advanced age, smoking, arterial hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia which LZ possesses (Sakalihasan et al., 2018). It is usually asymptomatic but may present with epigastric pain radiating to the back and pulsatile abdominal mass. A perforated peptic ulcer is another possible cause of his symptoms. Peptic ulcer disease shares similar risk factors as GERD including alcohol use and smoking. Psychological stress probably due to divorce is also a risk factor. The patient usually presents with epigastric pain which may radiate to the back. However, if perforated, features of peritonitis such as tenderness and guarding may be evident with no palpable mass (Malik et al., 2022). Acute pancreatitis similarly manifests with severe epigastric pain radiating to the back, abdominal tenderness, guarding, and nausea and vomiting (Shah et al., 2018). Additionally, LZ has a history of alcohol use and hyperlipidemia which may precipitate pancreatitis.

The other possible differential diagnoses for his condition include causes of acute abdomen particularly those causing epigastric pain such as acute mesenteric ischemia, myocardial infarction, acute gastritis, and Mallory Weiss syndrome (Patterson et al., 2022). For instance, acute mesenteric ischemia may present with epigastric pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and signs of peritonitis while Mallory Weiss syndrome manifests with epigastric pain/back pain, hematemesis, and signs of shock. Finally, myocardial infarction at times manifests as epigastric pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting, dizziness, dyspnea with exertion, and diaphoresis (Saleh & Ambrose, 2018). This is a potential differential diagnosis as LZ has risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, smoking, alcohol use, and hyperlipidemia.

Conclusion

Meticulous evaluation of the abdominal and gastrointestinal systems is essential as it may point out an underlying diagnosis. Abdominal pain is a very non-specific symptom and may result from gastrointestinal or non-gastrointestinal causes. However, severe epigastric pain radiating to the back may be an indication of abdominal aortic aneurysm, acute pancreatitis, and perforated peptic ulcer.

NURS 655 Assessing the Abdomen References

Malik, T. F., Gnanapandithan, K., & Singh, K. (2022). Peptic ulcer disease. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30521213/

Patterson, J. W., Kashyap, S., & Dominique, E. (2022). Acute Abdomen. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29083722/

Sakalihasan, N., Michel, J.-B., Katsargyris, A., Kuivaniemi, H., Defraigne, J.-O., Nchimi, A., Powell, J. T., Yoshimura, K., & Hultgren, R. (2018). Abdominal aortic aneurysms. Nature Reviews. Disease Primers, 4(1), 34. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-018-0030-7

Saleh, M., & Ambrose, J. A. (2018). Understanding myocardial infarction. F1000Research, 7, 1378. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.15096.1

Shah, A. P., Mourad, M. M., & Bramhall, S. R. (2018). Acute pancreatitis: current perspectives on diagnosis and management. Journal of Inflammation Research, 11, 77–85. https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S135751

NURS 655 Assessing the Abdomen Grading Rubric
Performance Category 100% or highest level of performance

100%

16 points

Very good or high level of performance

88%

14 points

Acceptable level of performance

81%

13 points

Inadequate demonstration of expectations

68%

11 points

Deficient level of performance

56%

9 points

Failing level

of performance

55% or less

0 points

 Total Points Possible= 50           16 Points    14 Points 13 Points        11 Points           9 Points          0 Points
Scholarliness

Demonstrates achievement of scholarly inquiry for professional and academic topics.

Presentation of information was exceptional and included all of the following elements:

Provides evidence of scholarly inquiry relevant to required TD topic(s).
Presents specific information from scholarly sources to develop a comprehensive presentation of facts.
Uses at least one outside scholarly reference that is relevant, less than 5 years old (use of older references requires instructor permission) and reliable for the required topic.*
Uses in-text citation and full reference at end of posting when presenting another person’s thoughts as quotes or paraphrase of information.
Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements:

Provides evidence of scholarly inquiry relevant to required TD topic(s).
Presents specific information from scholarly sources to develop a comprehensive presentation of facts.
Uses at least one outside scholarly reference that is relevant, less than 5 years old (use of older references requires instructor permission) and reliable for the required topic.*
Uses in-text citation and full reference at end of posting when presenting another person’s thoughts as quotes or paraphrase of information.
Presentation of information was minimally demonstrated in all of the following elements:

Provides evidence of scholarly inquiry relevant to required TD topic(s).
Presents specific information from scholarly sources to develop a comprehensive presentation of facts.
Uses at least one outside scholarly reference that is relevant, less than 5 years old (use of older references requires instructor permission) and reliable for the required topic.*
Uses in-text citation and full reference at end of posting when presenting another person’s thoughts as quotes or paraphrase of information.
 

Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in one of the following elements:

Provides evidence of scholarly inquiry relevant to required TD topic(s).
Presents specific information from scholarly sources to develop a comprehensive presentation of facts.
Uses at least one outside scholarly reference that is relevant, less than 5 years old (use of older references requires instructor permission) and reliable for the required topic.*
Uses in-text citation and full reference at end of posting when presenting another person’s thoughts as quotes or paraphrase of information.
 

Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in two of the following elements:

Provides evidence of scholarly inquiry relevant to required TD topic(s).
Presents specific information from scholarly sources to develop a comprehensive presentation of facts.
Uses at least one outside scholarly reference that is relevant, less than 5 years old (use of older references requires instructor permission) and reliable for the required topic.*
Uses in-text citation and full reference at end of posting when presenting another person’s thoughts as quotes or paraphrase of information.
Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in three or more of the following elements

Provides evidence of scholarly inquiry relevant to required TD topic(s).
Presents specific information from scholarly sources to develop a comprehensive presentation of facts.
Uses at least one outside scholarly reference that is relevant, less than 5 years old (use of older references requires instructor permission) and reliable for the required topic.*
Uses in-text citation and full reference at end of posting when presenting another person’s thoughts as quotes or paraphrase of information

 16 Points  14 Points  13 Points 11 Points 9 Points  0 Points
Application of Course Knowledge

Demonstrate the ability to analyze and apply principles, knowledge and information learned in the outside readings and relate them to real-life professional situations

Presentation of information was exceptional and included all of the following elements:

Applies principles, knowledge and information from scholarly resources to the required topic.
Applies facts, principles or concepts learned from scholarly resources to a professional experience.
Application of information is comprehensive and specific to the required topic.
Presentation of information was good, but was superficial in places and included all of the following elements:

Applies principles, knowledge and information from scholarly resources to the required topic.
Applies facts, principles or concepts learned from scholarly resources to a professional experience.
Application of information is comprehensive and specific to the required topic.
Presentation of information was minimally demonstrated in the all of the following elements:

Applies principles, knowledge and information from scholarly resources to the required topic.
Applies facts, principles or concepts learned from scholarly resources to a professional experience.
Application of information is comprehensive and specific to the required topic.
Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in one of the following elements:

Applies principles, knowledge and information from scholarly resources to the required topic.
Applies facts, principles or concepts learned from and scholarly resources to a professional experience.
Application of information is comprehensive and specific to the required topic.
Presentation of information is unsatisfactory in two of the following elements:

Applies principles, knowledge and information from scholarly resources to the required topic.
Applies facts, principles or concepts learned from scholarly resources to a professional experience.