Consider the strengths and limitations of hormone replacement therapy.

In recent years, hormone replacement therapy has become a controversial issue. When prescribing therapies, advanced practice nurses must weigh the strengths and
limitations of the prescribed supplemental hormones.

If advanced practice nurses determine that the limitations outweigh the strengths, then they might suggest
alternative treatment options such as herbs or other natural remedies, changes in diet, and increase in exercise.
Consider the following scenario:
As an advanced practice nurse at a community health clinic, you often treat female (and sometimes male patients) with hormone deficiencies. One of your patients
requests that you prescribe supplemental hormones. This poses the questions: How will you determine what kind of treatment to suggest? What patient factors should you
consider? Are supplemental hormones the best option for the patient, or would they benefit from alternative treatments?
To prepare:
Review Chapter 56 of the Arcangelo and Peterson text, as well as the Holloway and Makinen and Huhtaniemi articles in the Learning Resources.
Review the provided scenario and reflect on whether or not you would support hormone replacement therapy.
Locate and review additional articles about research on hormone replacement therapy for women and/or men. Consider the strengths and limitations of hormone replacement
therapy.
Based on your research of the strengths and limitations, again reflect on whether or not you would support hormone replacement therapy.
Consider whether you would prescribe supplemental hormones or recommend alternative treatments to patients with hormone deficiencies.
question
a description of the strengths and limitations of hormone replacement therapy. Based on these strengths and limitations, explain why you would or why you would not
support hormone replacement therapy. Explain whether you would prescribe supplemental hormones or recommend alternative treatments to patients with hormone
deficiencies and why.
Readings
•Arcangelo, V. P., & Peterson, A. M. (Eds.). (2013). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (3rd ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins.
◦Chapter 33, “Prostatic Disorders and Erectile Dysfunction” (pp. 481–495)

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. 496–511)

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. 874–883)