Effects of Mood Disorders on Children
The purpose of this assignment is to discuss mood disorders and their effect on children and the treatment options available.
Summary of patient
The patient is an 8-year-old African American male who arrives at the ER with his mother. He is exhibiting signs of depression. The client complained of feeling “sad’. The mother reports that the teacher said the child is withdrawn from peers in class. The mother notes decreased appetite and occasional periods of irritation. The client has reached all developmental landmarks at appropriate ages. The physical exam is unremarkable. Laboratory studies WNL, upon assessment the child is alert and oriented x 3, overall mood is sad. He denies visual or auditory hallucinations, however, admits to thinking about himself being dead. The Children’s Depression rating scale is 30, translates to significant depression.
Decision Point one: Select what you should you
- Begin Zoloft 25 mg orally daily, continue same dose or increase 37.5mg or 50mg or change to Prozac 10mg then increase to 20mg
- Begin Paxil 10 mg orally daily-increase to 20mg or change to Prozac
- Begin Wellbutrin 75mg orally daily, increase Wellbutrin or change to Lexapro?
The Assignment: 3 pages
- 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 patient. Be sure to consider factors that might impact the patient’s pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes.
- At each decision point, you should evaluate all options before selecting your decision and moving throughout the exercise. Before you make your decision, make sure that you have researched each option and that you evaluate the decision that you will select. Be sure to research each option using the primary literature.
Decision #1 (1 page)
• Which decision did you select?
• Why did you select this decision? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.
• Why did you not select the other two options provided in the exercise? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.
• What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources (including the primary literature).
• Explain how ethical considerations may impact your treatment plan and communication with patients. Be specific and provide examples.
Decision #2 (1 page)
• Why did you select this decision? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.
• Why did you not select the other two options provided in the exercise? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.
• What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources (including the primary literature).
• Explain how ethical considerations may impact your treatment plan and communication with patients. Be specific and provide examples.
Decision #3 (1 page)
• Why did you select this decision? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.
• Why did you not select the other two options provided in the exercise? Be specific and support your response with clinically relevant and patient-specific resources, including the primary literature.
• What were you hoping to achieve by making this decision? Support your response with evidence and references to the Learning Resources (including the primary literature).
• Explain how ethical considerations may impact your treatment plan and communication with patients. Be specific and provide examples.