Summative Cases
Summative Cases Introduction
Elizabeth Heavey, PhD, RN, CNM
As you transition from foundational coursework to clinical practice, the integration of your knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment becomes essential. By mastering these interconnected disciplines, you will be able to recognize early signs of disease, perform thorough assessments, make evidence–based clinical decisions, and select safe, appropriate treatments. You will develop the clinical reasoning and confidence necessary for your early practice.
As you work through the next section of cases, you will need to utilize the knowledge gained in all three courses.
Student Learning Objectives
At the end of this section you should be able to:
- Identify appropriate physical exam steps and findings relevant to the patient’s condition.
- Correlate your clinical assessment findings and lab results with the disease processes.
- Use your knowledge of pharmacological principles to choose and monitor medications that are best suited for the patient’s condition and any potential side effects or interactions of concern.
- Apply your integrated knowledge to analyze the patient cases, strengthening your critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and decision-making skills.
- Identify potential differential diagnoses that should be evaluated regarding the patient’s condition.
- Incorporate current clinical guidelines and research, ensuring that your assessments, diagnoses, and management strategies reflect best practices.
Cases Included in This Section
By focusing on these objectives, you will be well-prepared to apply your advanced practice knowledge in real clinical settings, supporting safe, effective, and patient-centered care. We wish you all the best as you begin your practice!
References
Benner P, Hughes RG, Sutphen M. Clinical Reasoning, Decision-making, and Action: Thinking Critically and Clinically. In: Hughes RG, editor. Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2008 Apr. Chapter 6. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2643/
National Task Force. (2022). Standards for quality nurse practitioner education, A report of the national task force on quality nurse practitioner education, 6th Edition. Retrieved from https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/0/PDFs/CCNE/NTFS-NP-Final.pdf
You.com. (2025). You.com AI search engine. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from https://you.com
