coursework-banner

NURS 6630 Antidepressants for Pediatric Patients

NURS 6630 Antidepressants for Pediatric Patients

NURS 6630 Antidepressants for Pediatric Patients

Click here to ORDER an A++ paper from our Verified MASTERS and DOCTORATE WRITERS:NURS 6630 Antidepressants for Pediatric Patients

In this case study, the patient is an African-American child admitted to the healthcare facility accompanied by the mother. The boy is experiencing symptoms of depression. Some of the reported symptoms include withdrawal, reduced appetite, and often gets angry on the slightest provocation (Laureate Education, 2016). However, the patient exhibits good physical outlook with normal results from the laboratory testing. Additionally, the patient’s developmental stages were all attained at the appropriate age hence the need to carry out more assessment on the patient’s psychological condition.

Further analysis reveals the patient has sad feelings and always thinks about being dead and how it would be like when he is dead. However, he does not approve of committing suicide and has no such ideas in mind. The patient is in a sad mood during the interview but at some points during the interview he smiles normally (Laureate Education, 2016). The purpose of this paper is to consider a proper plan for the treatment of the patient. The plan focuses on the decision tree with emphasis on proper communication with the patient and observance of all the related ethical standards to be met.

                                                                          Decision Point 1

Begin Zoloft 25 mg orally daily

Why Select Zoloft 25mg Oral Daily Dose?

The drug is classified as an anti-depressant that works on the principle of inhibition of the selective uptake of serotonin. It is the prescribed medication for major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive compulsive disorder(OCD), panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). The 25mg daily dosage is the appropriate and recommended oral dose for children. Zoloft has proved to be effective in treatment of children with OCD for ages between six and seventeen years (Garland et al., 2016).

What is the expected outcome on making this decision?

This prescribed drug is aimed at reducing the patient’s sad mood, improving the patient’s appetite and boosting their feelings for self and social interactions (Neavin, Joyce & Swintak, 2018). The drug will also alleviate the feelings of death hence making the patient appreciate life and improve his general feeling about life. Additionally, Zoloft is appropriate for the age of the patient who is eight years old and there is less side effects expected on the patient.

Expected Vs. Actual Results

After a period of four weeks the patient returned to the health facility for follow up. The patient still had symptoms of depression. This was contrary from the expected outcome because the SSRIs have a slow action mechanism associated with late improvement of the depression symptoms.

Decision Point 2

Double up the dosage to 50mg daily

Why take this decision?

It is recommended to double up the dosage if the patient does not show any improvement within a period of four weeks (Garland et al., 2016). The use of Prozac 10mg daily dosage is not the appropriate decision at the moment because it is only recommended if there is no improvement of the patient’s condition after six weeks (Neavin et al., 2018).

What is the expected outcome on making this decision?

By doubling up the dosage I hope to improve the patient’s feelings on depression by half and make him feel better emotionally, improve his appetite and social interactions.

Expected Vs. Actual Results

On the second visit to the health facility after period of four weeks, the patient’s state has remarkably improved by half. The patient’s body has shown great tolerance to the drug and the expected and actual results are similar. This can also be attributed to the fact that Zoloft is associated with late improvement in depression patients.

Decision Point 3

Increase to 75 mg orally daily.

Why take this decision?

This decision was achieved at by checking on the patient’s progress. The patient had not achieved full recovery from depression and social withdrawal symptoms. This dosage will sustain the current dosage and improve on the patient’s recovery process. (Neavin et al., 2018).

Other options like the use of SSRI is not appropriate at the moment because the patient has exhibited good response to Zoloft in both treatment and the ability of the patient’s body to tolerate the drug. Additional SSRI has been associated with strong withdrawal symptoms especially when its use is discontinued and this like pose similar symptoms of the relapse to depression (Garland et al., 2016). The relapse of the withdrawal symptoms occurs after a period of between six and eight weeks after treatment with SSRI hence is not the outcome we need for this patient at the moment.

What is the expected outcome on making this decision?

By taking this decision, the aim is to achieve full recovery of the patient from depression and the related symptoms. It is expected after four weeks the patient’s mood would have changed and exhibit happiness coupled with euthymia (Dwyer & Bloch, 2019). Additionally, the patient is expected to have better appetite, proper sleeping patterns, improved social interactions and reduced or no feelings of death.

Expected Vs. Actual Results

After four weeks the patient returned with improved conditions. He was feeling happy and with improved social interactions. This actual results are similar to the expected results.

How Ethical Considerations Might Impact Your Treatment Plan Communication with Clients

One of the key ethical issue to be considered is the right to information and the independence of the client to make the decision that suits the needs. It is important to explain to the patient or the care giver the treatment plans available, their cost and the expected side effects (Katz et al., 2016). This will empower the client with knowledge and ensure that the client makes informed decisions. The case in point involves a child therefore the consent should be obtained from the mother who is the immediate care giver to the child. Therefore, the mother’s decision will have an impact on the patient’s treatment plan. Another ethical issue to consider is beneficence. This will call upon the health practitioner to offer a treatment plan that is best suited to the patient and will deliver the best desired outcomes. I also allow the health practitioner to modify and improve the treatment plan if the existing one does not produce the desired outcomes. (Katz et al., 2016). Additionally, non-maleficence is another ethical issue that is likely to impact on the treatment plan, this allows the medical practitioner to modify the treatment plan in case the existing one has adverse effects to the patient. It is imperative for the healthcare practitioner to consider all the ethical issues before coming up with the treatment plan and modify it along the way with key emphasis being to ensure that the patient’s outcome is improved and patient satisfaction is met.

Conclusion

The case in point was an eight-year-old African-American boy with a depression disorder that exhibited various symptoms such as reduced appetite, social withdrawal and feelings of death. The boy is treated with Zoloft initial dosage of 25mg daily but after four weeks the symptoms had not improved is can be attributed to the late action of the Zoloft drug The dosage was doubled to 50mg daily and the symptoms improved by half after another four weeks. On further increase of the dosage to 75mg daily for another four weeks, the patient’s condition greatly improved and the patient exhibited happiness, improved appetite, better sleep and general feeling of euthymia. The treatment plan considered ethical factors such as patient’s autonomy, beneficence and non-maleficence as the key to better patient outcomes.

References

Dwyer, J. B., & Bloch, M. H. (2019). Antidepressants for Pediatric Patients. Current Psychiatry, 18(9), 26–42F. PMC6738970/

Jane Garland, E., Kutcher, S., Virani, A., & Elbe, D. (2016). Update on the Use of SSRIs and SNRIs with Children and Adolescents in Clinical Practice. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry = Journal de l’Academie Canadienne de Psychiatrie de l’enfant et de l’adolescent, 25(1), 4–10. PMC4791100/

Katz, A. L., & Webb, S. A. (2016). Informed Consent in Decision-Making in Pediatric Practice. Pediatrics, 138(2), e20161485. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2016-1485

Neavin, D., Joyce, J., & Swintak, C. (2018). Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in Pediatric Populations. Diseases, 6(2), 48. https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases6020048

When pediatric clients present with mood disorders, the process of assessing, diagnosing, and treating them can be quite complex. Children not only present with different signs and symptoms than adult clients with the same disorders, but they also metabolize medications much differently. As a result, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners must exercise caution when prescribing psychotropic medications to these clients. For this Assignment, as you examine the client case study in this week’s Learning Resources, consider how you might assess and treat pediatric clients presenting with mood disorders.

Note: This Assignment is the first of 10 assignments that are based on interactive client case studies. For these assignments, you will be required to make decisions about how to assess and treat clients. Each of your decisions will have a consequence. Some consequences will be insignificant, and others may be life altering. You are not expected to make the “right” decision every time; in fact, some scenarios may not have a “right” decision. You are, however, expected to learn from each decision you make and demonstrate the ability to weigh risks versus benefits to prescribe appropriate treatments for clients.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Assess client factors and history to develop personalized plans of antidepressant therapy for pediatric clients

Analyze factors that influence pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes in pediatric clients requiring antidepressant therapy

Click here to ORDER an A++ paper from our Verified MASTERS and DOCTORATE WRITERS:NURS 6630 Antidepressants for Pediatric PatientsNURS 6630 Antidepressants for Pediatric Patients

Evaluate efficacy of treatment plans

Analyze ethical and legal implications related to prescribing antidepressant therapy to pediatric clients

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings

Note: All Stahl resources can be accessed through the Library using this link. This link will take you to a log-in page for the Library. Once you log into the library, the Stahl website will appear.

Stahl, S. M. (2013). Stahl’s essential psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical applications (4th ed.). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

Note: To access the following chapters, click on the Essential Psychopharmacology, 4th ed tab on the Stahl Online website and select the appropriate chapter. Be sure to read all sections on the left navigation bar for each chapter.

Chapter 6, “Mood Disorders”

Chapter 7, “Antidepressants”

Stahl, S. M. (2014b). The prescriber’s guide (5th ed.). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

Note: To access the following medications, click on the The Prescriber’s Guide, 5th ed tab on the Stahl Online website and select the appropriate chapter. Be sure to read all sections on the left navigation bar for each chapter.

Review the following medications:

amitriptyline

bupropion

citalopram

clomipramine

desipramine

desvenlafaxine

doxepin

duloxetine

escitalopram

fluoxetine

fluvoxamine

imipramine

ketamine

mirtazapine

nortriptyline

paroxetine

selegiline

sertraline

trazodone

venlafaxine

vilazodone

vortioxetine

Magellan Health, Inc. (2013). Appropriate use of psychotropic drugs in children and adolescents: A clinical monograph. Retrieved from http://www.magellanhealth.com/media/445492/magellan-psychotropicdrugs-0203141.pdf

Rao, U. (2013). Biomarkers in pediatric depression. Depression & Anxiety, 30(9), 787–791. doi:10.1002/da.22171

Note: Retrieved from Library databases.

Vitiello, B. (2012). Principles in using psychotropic medication in children and adolescents. In J. M. Rey (Ed.), IACAPAP e-Textbook of Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Geneva: International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions. Retrieved from http://iacapap.org/wp-content/uploads/A.7-PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY-072012.pdf

Poznanski, E., & Mokros, H. (1996). Child Depression Rating Scale–Revised. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.

Note: Retrieved from Library databases.

Required Media

Laureate Education (2016e). Case study: An African American child suffering from depression [Interactive media file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: This case study will serve as the foundation for this week’s Assignment.

Optional Resources

El Marroun, H., White, T., Verhulst, F., & Tiemeier, H. (2014). Maternal use of antidepressant or anxiolytic medication during pregnancy and childhood neurodevelopmental outcomes: A systematic review. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 23(10), 973–992. doi:10.1007/s00787-014-0558-3

Gordon, M. S., & Melvin, G. A. (2014). Do antidepressants make children and adolescents suicidal? Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 50(11), 847–854. doi:10.1111/jpc.12655

Seedat, S. (2014). Controversies in the use of antidepressants in children and adolescents: A decade since the storm and where do we stand now? Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 26(2), iii–v. doi:10.2989/17280583.2014.938497

To prepare for this Assignment:

Review this week’s Learning Resources. Consider how to assess and treat pediatric clients requiring antidepressant therapy.

The Assignment

Examine Case Study: An African American Child Suffering From Depression. You will be asked to make three decisions concerning the medication to prescribe to this client. Be sure to consider factors that might impact the client’s pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes.

At each decision point stop to complete the following:

Decision #1

Which decision did you select?

Why did you select this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources.

What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources.

Explain any difference between what you expected to achieve with Decision #1 and the results of the decision. Why were they different?

Decision #2

Why did you select this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources.

What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources.

Explain any difference between what you expected to achieve with Decision #2 and the results of the decision. Why were they different?

Decision #3

Why did you select this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources.

What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources.

Explain any difference between what you expected to achieve with Decision #3 and the results of the decision. Why were they different?

Also include how ethical considerations might impact your treatment plan and communication with clients.

Also Read: SOCS 325 Internal and External Toxins In Environmental