BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The client is a 32-year-old Hispanic American male who came to the United States when he was in high school with his father. His mother died back in Mexico when he was in school. He presents today to the PMHNPs office for an initial appointment for complaints of depression. The client was referred by his PCP after ¯utine-edical work-up to rule out an organic basis for his depression. He has no other health issues with the exception of some occasional back pain and ôiff3houlders which he attributes to his current work as a laborer in a warehouse.
SUBJECTIVE
During todayàclinical interview, the client reports that he always felt like an outsider as he was %ased! lot for being ¬ack)n high school. States that he had few friends, and basically kept to himself. He describes his home life as ïod. tating !d did what he could for us, there were 8 of us. e also reports a remarkably diminished interest in engaging in usual activities, states that he has gained 15 pounds in the last 2 months. He is also troubled with insomnia which began about 6 months ago but has been progressively getting worse. He does report poor concentration which he reports is getting in 2ouble!t work.
MENTAL STATUS EXAM
The client is alert, oriented to person, place, time, and event. He is casually dressed. His speech is clear but soft. He does not readily make eye contact, but when he does, it is only for a few moments. He is endorsing feelings of depression. The effect is somewhat constricted but improves as the clinical interview progresses. He denies visual or auditory hallucinations, no overt delusional or paranoid thought processes readily apparent. Judgment and insight appear grossly intact. He is currently denying suicidal or homicidal ideation. The PMHNP administers the ontgomery- Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)/strong> and obtained a score of 51 (indicating severe depression).
Decision Point One
Begin Zoloft 25 mg orally daily
RESULTS OF DECISION POINT ONE
- The client returns to the clinic in four weeks
- Reports a 25% decrease in symptoms
- The client is concerned over the new onset of erectile dysfunction
Decision Point Two
Add augmenting agent such as Wellbutrin IR 150 mg in the morning
RESULTS OF DECISION POINT TWO
- The client returns to the clinic in four weeks
- Client stated that depressive symptoms have decreased even more and his erectile dysfunction has abated
- Client reports that he has been feeling ©ttery!nd sometimes ¥rvous/strong>
Decision Point Three
Change Wellbutrin to XL 150 mg orally daily in AM
The PMHNP should be aware that Zoloft or Wellbutrin could be responsible for the client complaints of Jitteriness. This feeling is usually temporary with SSRIs, however. The cause of the clientàcomplaint of ©tteriness)s most likely related to the Wellbutrin immediate release. As a result, the most appropriate answer would be to change the Wellbutrin to an extended-release formulation. It would not be appropriate to add Ativan as the PMHNP should never add an additional medication to treat the side effect of another medication without first attempting to modify/change the medication causing the side effect.
Examine Case Study: An Elderly Hispanic Man With Major Depressive Disorder. 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 clientàpharmacokinetic 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?
- Decision #1
- Also, include how ethical considerations might impact your treatment plan and communication with clients.
Note: Support your rationale with a minimum of three academic resources. While you may use the course text to support your rationale, it will not count toward the resource requirement.
