Pharmacotherapy for Hematologic Disorders In the 1970s, the average lifespan for patients diagnosed with sickle cell disease was 14 years. Today, the average lifespan has increased to 50 years and beyond (TriHealth, 2012).

The patient prognosis for many other hematologic disorders such as hemophilia and cancer continue to improve as well. This can be attributed to advancements in medical care—specifically drug therapy and treatment.

Pharmacotherapy for Hematologic Disorders in Clinical Settings

When managing drug therapies for patients, it is essential to continuously examine current treatments and evaluate the impact of patient factors on drug effectiveness. To prepare for your role as an advanced practice nurse, you must become familiar with common drug treatments for various hematologic disorders seen in clinical settings.
To prepare:
• Select one of the following hematologic disorders: anemia, hemophilia, cancer, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, thrombolytic disorders, or white blood cell disorders. Consider the types of drugs that would be prescribed to patients to treat symptoms associated with this disorder.
• Select one of the following factors: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior. Reflect on how this factor might impact the effects of prescribed drugs, as well as any measures you might take to help reduce negative side effects.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post a description of the hematologic disorder you selected including types of drugs that would be prescribed to patients to treat associated symptoms. Then, explain how the factor you selected might impact the effects of prescribed drugs, as well as any measures you might take to help reduce negative side effects.
Week 10: Women’s and Men’s Health
Breast cancer is not just a disease that strikes at women. It strikes at the very heart of who we are as women: how others perceive us, how we perceive ourselves, how we live, work, and raise our families—or whether we do these things at all.
–Debbie Wasserman Schultz
This sentiment that Schultz expressed is true for many disorders associated with women’s and men’s health such as hormone deficiencies, cancers, and other functional and structural abnormalities.

Pharmacotherapy for Hematologic Disorders and Physiological Consequences

Disorders such as these not only result in physiological consequences but also psychological consequences such as embarrassment, guilt, or profound disappointment for patients. For these reasons, the provider-patient relationship must be carefully managed. During evaluations, patients must feel comfortable answering questions so that you, as a key health-care provider, will be able to diagnose and recommend appropriate treatment options. Advanced practice nurses must be able to educate patients on these disorders and help relieve associated stigmas and concerns.
This week, as you examine women’s and men’s health issues, you focus on treatments for hormone deficiencies and cancer. You also explore preventive services for women’s and men’s health.
Learning Objectives
students will:
Evaluate the strengths and limitations of hormone replacement therapy
Evaluate treatments for hormone deficiencies
Analyze preventive services for women’s and men’s health
Analyze drug treatments for cancer patients
Evaluate implications of cancer drug treatments on patients
Understand and apply key terms, concepts, and principles related to prescribing drugs to treat disorders associated with women’s and men’s health
Photo Credit: Comstock/Stockbyte/Getty Images
Learning Resources
This page contains the Learning Resources for this week. Be sure to scroll down the page to see all of this week’s assigned Learning Resources. To access select media resources, please use the media player below.

Pharmacotherapy for Hematologic Disorders Required Readings

Arcangelo, V. P., Peterson, A. M., Wilbur, V., & Reinhold, J. A. (Eds.). (2017). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (4th ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Chapter 33, “Prostatic Disorders and Erectile Dysfunction” (pp. 527-544)
This chapter examines the causes, pathophysiology, and drug treatment of four disorders: prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction. It also explores the importance of monitoring patient response and patient education.
Chapter 34, “Overactive Bladder” (pp. 545-564)
This chapter describes the causes, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, and evaluation of overactive bladder. It also outlines the process of initiating, administering, and managing drug treatment for this disorder.
Chapter 55, “Contraception” (pp. 959-970)
This chapter examines various methods of contraception and covers drug interactions, selecting the most appropriate agent, and monitoring patient response to contraceptions.
Chapter 56, “Menopause” (pp. 971-994)
This chapter presents various options for menopausal hormone therapy and examines the strengths and limitations of each form of therapy.
Chapter 57, “Osteoporosis” (pp. 985-994)
This chapter covers various options for treating osteoporosis. It also describes proper dosages, potential adverse reactions, and special considerations of each drug.
Chapter 58, “Vaginitis” (pp. 995-1006)
This chapter examines various causes of vaginitis and explores the diagnostic criteria and methods of treatment for the disorder.
Holloway, D. (2010). Clinical update on hormone replacement therapy. British Journal of Nursing, 19(8), 496–504
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article examines the purpose, components, and administration of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It also presents benefits, risks, potential side effects, and alternative treatment options of HRT.
Mäkinen, J. I., & Huhtaniemi, I. (2011). Androgen replacement therapy in late-onset hypogonadism: Current concepts and controversies—A mini-review. Gerontology, 57(3), 193–202.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article examines the role of testosterone levels in the development of hypogonadism. It also explores health issues that are impacted by testosterone levels and the role of testosterone replacement therapy.
Drugs.com. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.drugs.com/
This website presents a comprehensive review of prescription and over-the-counter drugs including information on common uses and potential side effects. It also provides updates relating to new drugs on the market, support from health professionals, and a drug-drug interactions checker.10
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2014). The Guide to Clinical Preventive Services: Section 2. Recommendations for Adults. Retrieved from http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/clinicians-providers/guidelines-recommendations/guide/section2.html
This website lists various preventive services available for men and women and provides information about available screenings, tests, preventive medication, and counseling.
Optional Resources
Refer to the Optional Resources listed in Week 1.