Concept Map: MS

Overview

Concept maps are important tools in developing an understanding of certain concepts. There are many options when it comes to mapping out new concepts. However, the purpose is to connect new concepts and promote a graphical representation of information.

Before you complete your first Concept Map:

• Watch the video How to Make a Concept MapLinks to an external site. (8:30) see an example of a concept map being created.
• Review this Sample Concept Map Download Sample Concept Mapas a model for your concept map assignment.
• Refer to this Concept Mapping Download Concept Mappingguide if you need additional support.

Instructions

 a concept map using information from this case study:

M.S., a 72-year-old white woman, comes to your clinic for a complete physical examination. She has not been to a provider for 11 years because "I don't like doctors." Her only complaint today is "pain in my upper back."

She describes the pain as sharp and knifelike. The pain began approximately three weeks ago when she was getting out of bed in the morning and hasn't changed. M.S. rates her pain as 6 on a 0- to 10-point pain scale and says the pain decreases to 3 or 4 after taking "a couple of ibuprofen." She denies recent falls or trauma.

M.S. admits she needs to quit smoking and start exercising but states, "I don't have the energy to exercise, and besides, I've always been thin." She has smoked one to two packs of cigarettes per day since she was 17 years old. Her last blood work was 11 years ago, and she can't remember the results. She went through menopause at the age of 47 and has never taken hormone replacement therapy. The physical exam was unremarkable other than moderate tenderness to deep palpation over the spinous process at T7. No masses or tenderness to the tissue surrounded the tender spot. No visible masses, skin changes, or erythema were noted. Her neurologic exam is intact, and no muscle wasting is noted.

M.S. has never had an osteoporosis screening. She confides that her mother and grandmother were diagnosed with osteoporosis when they were in their early 50s.

Include answers to the following questions in your concept map:

• What is the priority concept of this scenario?
  • Write a summary of the pathophysiology if appropriate.
• What assessment findings led you to identify this priority problem? Are there other concerns based on your assessment of M.S.?
• What is your priority problem?
• Based on your knowledge of the nursing process so far, what goals would you recommend in the plan of care for M.S?
• What interventions will help M.S. meet these goals?
• How would you evaluate your plan of care to determine the next steps?

Remember: This is your first attempt at creating a concept map using all phases of the nursing process. Focus on choices based on evidence and being able to support your decisions.

Concept Mapping Options:

These are available resources for completing your concept maps. You may use any of these options or any other concept mapping tools that you find. You are not required to use the same tool for the concept map in each module.

• MindMupLinks to an external site.
• LucidchartLinks to an external site.
• iMindMapLinks to an external site.
• Draw by hand and upload a picture

Citations:

Lucidchart. (2018, May 31). How to make a concept map [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XGQGhli0I0

Brown, E. (n.d.). Sample concept map. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FiM5mrRi8Vy99jZg_t0Lv5Gz0zjMcZsG/view?usp=sharing

Cornell University Learning Strategies Center. (n.d.). Concept mapping. http://lsc.cornell.edu/how-to-study/studying-for-and-taking-exams/concept-maps/