Peter goes out to lunch with his potential colleagues while on a job interview at a high profile investment firm. He doesn’t seem to notice how the other colleagues are behaving and acts the same way he would when hanging out with his pick up basketball team at the gym, making loud jokes and using crude language. Peter is probably a:

For this assessment, you will respond to the three prompts below: Thesis: Provide a thesis statement that indicates whether you found Dreyer’s text convincing or not. A thesis cannot be a question or a statement of fact. A thesis must be debatable. Ex.  Using emojis in workplace emails is perfectly fine as long as they do not distract from the content of the emails. or Emojis have no place in workplace correspondence because they are childish and unprofessional. Paragraph 1: Summary Provide a concise summary of Dreyer’s main arguments and observations. Summarize by putting Dryer’s points into your own words Do not directly quote from or paraphrase Dreyer in the summary paragraph, instead summarize Condense Dreyer’s ideas using your own words Ensure the reader understands the “gist” of the article without needing to have read it themselves. Paragraph 2: Review Critically evaluate the text. Was Dreyer’s argument effective? Did he provide sufficient evidence? Requirement: You must include at least one direct quote from the text, properly integrated and cited in MLA format.   You must include at least one direct quote from Dreyer’s text in the review paragraphAvoid 1st and 2nd person point of view, use objective 3rd person point of viewNo “I, me, we, our, us, you, your”Getting assistance from anyone other than the college’s official tutoring services will result in an automatic 50/F or 0. Avoid plagiarism! Intentional plagiarism will be penalized in accordance with the course syllabus.

Baylee Neighbors: Initial Post on COPD Introduction COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is a serious, long-term lung disease that damages the air sacs in the lungs. This then makes it difficult for an individual to breathe. COPD is a number of different chronic diseases. It consists of chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and hyperreactive airway disease. All of these make up what COPD is and the effects it has on one’s body. Etiology There are many causes behind why COPD develops and progresses. “Cigarette smoking accounts for approximately 70% to 80% of cases in high-income countries. However, up to 25% to 45% of patients with COPD have never smoked…”(Agarwal, 2023) Secondhand smoking can also cause one to develop COPD, depending on how much one is inhaling smoke on a daily basis. Not only that, but secondhand smoke from campfires and oven/stove tops can affect the state of someone’s lungs. Another way an individual can develop COPD is due to genetic susceptibility. One’s DNA can greatly affect the likelihood of one day developing COPD. ​​Alpha one antitrypsin deficiency is another reason people end up developing COPD. It is a genetic mutation that prevents the body from producing enough alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) to protect the lungs. This puts the lungs at high risk for COPD. Additionally, many different upper respiratory infections (specifically lung infections) can affect how one’s lungs develop. If an individual is constantly finding themselves sick, then they might develop COPD later on in their life. Overall, anything constantly irritating the lungs can increase the risk of COPD. Genetic Factors As stated above, genetics can affect whether someone develops COPD. Although there are not many cases of patients genetically developing COPD, they still happen! As mentioned previously, it is called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). When an individual’s liver does not produce enough AAT protein. This protein helps protect the lungs from damage. The protein ultimately protects the lungs from an enzyme that can damage the tissues surrounding them. According to a recently read article, “For my patients with AAT deficiency, their liver doesn’t produce enough functional AAT. This leaves their bodies less protected from this enzyme, and that can damage the healthy tissues in their organs, including their lungs.” (Gordon, 2023) In the end, not all, but most individuals with this condition will develop COPD sooner or later in their lives. Physical Assessment and Clinical Manifestations COPD presents several issues. It is typically seen in older people rather than younger people. However, AAT deficiency is seen in younger adults, since it is genetic. The signs and symptoms of COPD can start off as small as dyspnea or a cough, which can develop and get worse. “Productive cough, hypoxia, and cyanosis are classic signs of chronic bronchitis.” (Capriotti & Frizzell, 2024) Chronic bronchitis is one of the few chronic diseases that can lead to COPD. Other symptoms include: sputum production, wheezing, decreased breath sounds, barrel-shaped chest, use of accessory muscles to breathe, fatigue and weakness, prolonged exhalation, clubbing of the fingers, and frequent respiratory infections. All of these factors go into a patient developing COPD. In severe cases, all of these signs can worsen. Many physicians will check patients for abnormal lung sounds and monitor breathing patterns. A spirometry test will be ordered to diagnose COPD. “A spirometry test measures the flow of air through your lungs and estimates the amount of air in your lungs. It also tells your healthcare provider how strong your lungs are and how well you breathe.” (Cleveland Clinic, 2022) This can give the provider an overview of the patient’s lungs, helping determine the appropriate care plan. Current Clinical Practice/ Diagnosis As mentioned above, a spirometry test is ordered to test the lungs. In addition, a patient will be asked several questions about their breathing and how they feel physically. This will help determine the plan of care. There are multiple different tests that can be given. A lung volume test is given to test the amount of air one’s lungs can hold. Doctors may even check the diffusing capacity to see if an individual’s lungs can move air into the bloodstream correctly. Lastly, just to be sure they aren’t confusing COPD with asthma, providers will do a peak flow test. In some cases, a chest X-ray or even a CT scan may be ordered to better understand the lungs. Pathophysiology The pathophysiology behind COPD is damage to the lungs, alveoli, and airways. This damage causes chronic inflammation. As a result, the lungs produce more mucus, which ultimately blocks the airways, making breathing harder. Since the alveoli are damaged, they lose surface area, making it difficult for them to inflate and harder to move air in and out because the air is trapped. Over time, this can lead to many of the problems listed earlier. Such as shortness of breath, a worsening cough, and more. Treatment The person’s condition and the severity of the COPD determine the treatment. Since there is no current cure for COPD, providers will create a plan that helps the patient manage the symptoms that come with it. “Medication is often one of the first treatment options prescribed by your healthcare provider. The type of medication your healthcare provider will prescribe depends on your COPD severity or stage. Your COPD stage is determined by your spirometry test results…” (American Lung Association, 2021) Along with that, providers will ask patients to refrain from smoking, knowing that it is the main reason for COPD flare-ups. Conclusion In conclusion, COPD is a chronic disease that takes its toll on the lungs greatly. It can drastically decrease one’s quality of life, and it can be brought about by genetic factors. Although the signs and symptoms are chronic, medication can greatly help manage them, ultimately helping patients live a somewhat normal lifestyle. References Agarwal, A. K., Raja, A., & Brown, B. D. (2023). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). National Library of Medicine; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559281/Links to an external site. American Lung Association. “Diagnosing and Treating COPD.” AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION, 5 Mar. 2021, www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/treating. Capriotti, T. & Frizzell, J. (2024). Pathophysiology: Introductory concepts and clinical perspectives. F.A. Davis Company: Philadelphia, PA.  Cleveland Clinic. “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Symptoms, Treatment & More.” Cleveland Clinic, 17 May 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8709-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd#symptoms-and-causesLinks to an external site.. ‌Gordon, Matthew. “Can You Inherit a Risk for COPD? | Temple Health.” Www.templehealth.org, 17 May 2023, www.templehealth.org/about/blog/can-you-inherit-risk-for-copd. Accessed 16 June 2026.  

Ava Kizer: Initial Post on Tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mostly affects the lungs, but it can also spread to other parts of the body like the kidneys, spine, and brain. TB spreads through the air when someone with active TB coughs, sneezes, talks, or sings. When another person breathes in those droplets, they can become infected. After entering the body, the bacteria usually settles in the lungs first, where the immune system tries to control it. Once TB enters the lungs, the immune system responds by sending macrophages to attack the bacteria. The problem is that Mycobacterium tuberculosis has a thick, waxy coating that helps it survive inside these immune cells. Because of this, the body tries to “trap” the infection by forming granulomas, which are small clusters of immune cells. In some cases, the bacteria stay inactive inside these granulomas, which is called latent TB infection. In other cases, especially when the immune system is weak, the bacteria can become active and cause disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024). There are several risk factors that increase the chance of getting TB. These include living or working in crowded places, close contact with someone who has active TB, homelessness, incarceration, malnutrition, diabetes, substance use, and having a weakened immune system such as with HIV or chemotherapy. People who come from or travel to countries where TB is more common are also at higher risk (World Health Organization [WHO], 2024). Symptoms of active TB usually grow slowly. A common symptom is a cough that lasts more than three weeks. Other symptoms include coughing up blood, chest pain, fatigue, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and loss of appetite. If TB spreads outside the lungs, symptoms can depend on the area affected. For example, TB in the spine can cause back pain, and TB in the brain (TB meningitis) can cause confusion, headaches, and neurological symptoms. Latent TB does not cause any symptoms, which is why people can have it without knowing. To diagnose TB, healthcare providers use a mix of tests. The tuberculin skin test (TST) and blood tests called interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) help show if someone has been exposed to TB. A chest X-ray can show signs of infection in the lungs, like spots or cavities. To confirm active TB, sputum samples are tested for acid-fast bacilli (AFB), and cultures or molecular tests (NAATs) can identify the bacteria and check for drug resistance (CDC, 2024). Treatment for TB takes a long time because the bacteria grow slowly and can hide in the body. For drug-susceptible TB, treatment usually starts with four medications: isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol for about two months. After that, treatment continues with isoniazid and rifampin for another four to seven months. It is really important that patients finish all their medication, even if they start feeling better, because stopping early can lead to drug resistance or relapse. Some patients may have drug-resistant TB, which is harder to treat and requires stronger medications for a longer time, sometimes 18 months or more. These medications can also have more side effects, so patients need close monitoring. Nurses play a big role in TB care. One of the most important things is infection control. Patients with active TB need airborne precautions, which means placing them in a negative-pressure room and wearing an N95 mask. Nurses also educate patients about taking their medications correctly and finishing the full treatment. Since TB is a reportable disease, nurses also help notify public health departments so that contacts can be traced and tested. Emotional support is also important because patients may feel isolated due to long treatment and infection precautions. Prevention of TB includes early detection and treatment of latent TB, screening high-risk groups, improving ventilation in crowded areas, and using the BCG vaccine in countries where TB is common. According to the WHO (2024), treating latent TB is one of the most important ways to reduce new cases of active TB worldwide. Overall, TB is still a serious global health problem, but it is preventable and treatable. The key is early diagnosis, proper medication adherence, and good infection control practices. Nurses are very important in helping patients stay on treatment and preventing the spread of infection in the community. References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Tuberculosis (TB): General information. https://www.cdc.gov/tbLinks to an external site. World Health Organization. (2024). Global tuberculosis report 2024. https://www.who.intLinks to an external site. Pai, M., & Behr, M. A. (2023). Tuberculosis. The New England Journal of Medicine, 388(2), 123–136. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/nejm.tb2023Links to an external site.  Migliori, G. B., et al. (2022). Management of tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis. European Respiratory Journal, 59(1), 210–220. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/erj.tb2022Links to an external site. 

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