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?

o 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?

o 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.

Grading Rubic

Quality of Work Submitted:
The extent of which work meets the assigned criteria and work reflects graduate level critical and analytic thinking.–

Quality of Work Submitted:
The purpose of the paper is clear.–

Assimilation and Synthesis of Ideas:
The extent to which the work reflects the student’s ability to:
 

Understand and interpret the assignment’s key concepts.–

Assimilation and Synthesis of Ideas:
The extent to which the work reflects the student’s ability to:
 

Apply and integrate material in course resources (i.e. video, required readings, and textbook) and credible outside resources.–

Assimilation and Synthesis of Ideas:
The extent to which the work reflects the student’s ability to:
 

Synthesize (combines various components or different ideas into a new whole) material in course resources (i.e. video, required readings, textbook) and outside, credible resources by comparing different points of view and highlighting similarities, differences, and connections.–

Written Expression and Formatting
 

Paragraph and Sentence Structure: Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are clearly structured and carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance.–

Written Expression and Formatting
 

English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation-

Written Expression and Formatting
 

The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, running head, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.–

Resources

Therapy for Pediatric Clients with Mood Disorders An African American Child SufferingBACKGROUND INFORMATION

The client is an 8-year-old African American male who arrives at the ER with his mother. He is exhibiting signs of depression.

• Client      complained of feeling “sad”
• Mother      reports that teacher said child is withdrawn from peers in class
• Mother      notes decreased appetite and occasional periods of irritation
• Client      reached all developmental landmarks at appropriate ages 
• Physical      exam unremarkable
• Laboratory      studies WNL
• Child      referred to psychiatry for evaluation
• Client seen by Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

 
 

MENTAL STATUS EXAM

Alert & oriented X 3, speech clear, coherent, goal directed, spontaneous. Self-reported mood is “sad”. Affect somewhat blunted, but child smiled appropriately at various points throughout the clinical interview. He denies visual or auditory hallucinations. No delusional or paranoid thought processes noted. Judgment and insight appear to be age-appropriate. He is not endorsing active suicidal ideation, but does admit that he often thinks about himself being dead and what it would be like to be dead. 

The PMHNP administers the Children’s Depression Rating Scale, obtaining a score of 30 (indicating significant depression) 

RESOURCES

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