paper on Neisseria meningitidis
Microorganism Profile – APA Format Paper
Purpose:
The purpose of the paper is to enhance student understanding of the concepts of microbiology and how microorganisms interact with their host by applying these concepts to a specific microorganism. Additionally, this assignment serves as an artifact showing that students have demonstrated achieving the competency on scientific literacy. General Education Competency 6 states: Learners will gain the ability to read with understanding scientific content and engage in dialogue about scientific issues.
Introduction:
The Microorganism Profile Paper requires the ability to apply scientific knowledge that you acquire both inside and outside the microbiology classroom. You will also be required to communicate your knowledge of microbiological concepts by written means. You will construct a comprehensive profile of a microorganism that you are assigned by the faculty using the guidance document below. This microorganism is a pathogen that you may encounter in your nursing career. As you progress through the paper, you will be asked to provide written explanations of microbiological concepts in your own words. All written answers are expected to meet accepted standards for grammar, syntax, and punctuation, and the paper will be submitted in APA format. Proper microbiology terminology is also expected. The completed paper is to be submitted electronically via the Assignment Drop Box in Canvas in week 9.
The Big Picture:
As you progress through this course, you will acquire information in a sequential, topic-specific manner. Each topic will include information that is relevant to this assignment. For example, the knowledge you gain from the lesson on bacterial cell morphology will be applied to the first paper topic, “Cell Morphology and Growth Requirements.” Your answers are expected to include information from sources that go beyond the textbook or classroom. Examples include peer-reviewed journal articles, interviews with clinicians who deal with microbes daily, personal experiences, and other reputable sources. You are expected to clearly understand the meaning of each topic before you construct your answer. For example, you are expected to know the meaning of “epidemiology” and to understand the topics that are connected to it. Don’t forget to read and understand the rubric before you start. Refer to it often: it will help guide you through the process.
Introduction
Type of pathogen
Name of pathogen, relevant family name, and proper binomial nomenclature
Is the pathogen transmissible or opportunistic (part of the normal flora)
Associated infections/diseases
Structure of Assigned Pathogen
Describe morphology of pathogen
Appropriate visualization technique (staining and microscopy)
Describe any relevant virulence factors
Interaction between Microbe and Host Immune System
Describe relevant innate responses
Describe relevant adaptive responses
Do not discuss vaccines here.
Infectious Disease Information
Describe the infectious disease caused by the microbe including:
Conditions including sign and symptoms
Duration
Complications
Predisposing factors
Is it opportunistic
Principles of Epidemiology
Incidence and Prevalence of disease (age, location, time of year)
Reservoirs, Mode of Transmission, Portals of Exit and Entrance
If relevant, is the disease classified as endemic, epidemic, pandemic.
Is this a reportable disease. Explain why.
Prevention
Appropriate PPE
Lifestyle, hygiene, and environmental factors
Any relevant vaccines or prophylactic medications
Treatment
Discuss relevant pharmacological agents and supportive treatments
Are there any incidences of antimicrobial resistance?
Clinical Relevance
What critical information should a nurse know about this pathogen if it presents in their practice?
Concluding Summary
All high-quality academic papers conclude by summarizing the main points.
Other requirements
4-6 written pages not including Title and Reference pages
No Abstract needed
APA formatted
Minimum of four scholarly references
Quotations are not allowed. Quotes are not acceptable in scientific papers. Work should be paraphrased in your own words.
Plagiarism is not acceptable. TurnItIn scores over 25% will automatically be evaluated for plagiarism.
Microorganism Profile Grading Rubric:
| Criteria | Satisfactory | Needs Improvement | Unsatisfactory | No Submission |
| Structure of Assigned Microbe CSLO 2 | The student has thoroughly described the structure of the assigned microbe in detail, including the microbiological tools that would be necessary to observe the organism and virulence factors. (Up to 10 points) | The student has partially described the structure of the assigned microbe in detail, and/or microbiological tools that would be necessary to observe the organism or virulence factors are missing. (Up to 7 points) | The student has insufficiently described the structure of the assigned microbe in detail, and the microbiological tools that would be necessary to observe the organism and virulence factors are missing. (Up to 3 points) | Component not included or assignment was not submitted. (0 points) |
| Infectious Disease Information CSLO 10 | The student has thoroughly described the infectious disease caused by the assigned microbe, including conditions, duration of infection, complications, and predisposing factors. (Up to 10 points) | The student has partially described the infectious disease caused by the assigned microbe. (Up to 7 points) | The student has insufficiently described the infectious disease caused by the assigned microbe. (Up to 3 points) | Component not included or assignment was not submitted. (0 points) |
| Interaction between Microbe and Host Immune System CSLO 5 | All aspects concerning the interactions between the microbe and the human immune system were fully addressed. (all items or terms that are listed are described or explained in a very complete manner). (Up to 10 points) | Some aspects concerning the interactions between the microbe and the human host were mostly addressed. (Up to 7 points) | Few aspects concerning the interactions between the microbe and the human host were addressed. (Items or terms listed with very little description or explanation). (Up to 3 points) | Component not included or assignment was not submitted. (0 points) |
| Principles of Epidemiology CSLO 6 | All aspects concerning the epidemiology of the assigned microbe between hosts are fully addressed. (Up to 10 points) | Some aspects concerning the epidemiology of the assigned microbe between hosts are addressed. (Up to 7 points) | Few aspects concerning the epidemiology of the assigned microbe between hosts are addressed. (Up to 3 points) | Component not included or assignment was not submitted. (0 points) |
| Treatment and Prevention CSLO 8 | All aspects concerning the chemotherapeutic options and prevention for the assigned microbe are fully addressed. (Up to 10 points) | Some aspects concerning the chemotherapeutic options and prevention for the assigned microbe are addressed. (Up to 7 points) | Few aspects concerning the chemotherapeutic options and prevention for the assigned microbe are addressed. (Up to 3 points) | Component not included or assignment was not submitted. (0 points) |
| Clinical Relevance CSLO 1 | All aspects concerning the clinical relevance of the assigned microbe are fully addressed. (Up to 10 points) | Some aspects concerning the clinical relevance of the assigned microbe are addressed. (Up to 7 points) | Few aspects concerning the clinical relevance of the assigned microbe are addressed (Up to 3 points) | Component not included or assignment was not submitted. (0 points) |
| Scientific Literacy GEC 6 | Student can accurately interpret and communicate information using scientific vocabulary, in their own words, using written and/or graphical means consistently throughout the assignment. (Up to 20 points) | Student can accurately interpret and communicate information using scientific vocabulary using written and graphical means mostly throughout the assignment. (Up to 10 points) | Student did not accurately interpret and communicate information using scientific vocabulary using written and/or graphical means throughout the assignment, or student used excessive quotes. (Up to 5 points) | Component not included or assignment was not submitted. (0 points) |
| Overall Presentation | Overall presentation is 100% complete, orderly, and demonstrates scholarly achievement including APA format, proper grammar, and punctuation. (Up to 10 points) | Overall presentation is mostly complete, orderly, and demonstrates scholarly achievement including APA format, proper grammar, and punctuation. (Up to 7 points) | Overall presentation is two or more of the following: incomplete or does not demonstrate scholarly achievement. (Up to 4 points) | Component not included or assignment was not submitted. (0 points) |
| References | At least 4 sources have been referenced, cited in-text, and references are from reputable sources. (Up to 10 points) | At least 3 sources have been referenced, cited in-text, and references are from reputable sources. (Up to 7 points) | Insufficient sources were referenced, in-text citations are missing, or references are from inappropriate sources. (Up to 4 points) | Component not included or assignment was not submitted. (0 points) |
