Discussion Post: Therapy for Pediatric Clients with Mood Disorders
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.
Case Study
BACKGROUND 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.
o Client complained of feeling "sad"
o Mother reports that teacher said child is withdrawn from peers in class
o Mother notes decreased appetite and occasional periods of irritation
o Client reached all developmental landmarks at appropriate ages
o Physical exam unremarkable
o Laboratory studies WNL
o Child referred to psychiatry for evaluation
o 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)
Discuss each medication option listed in Decision. Why did you not chose the alternative options? What is the mechanism of action for each medication? What are first line FDA approved medications for pediatric depression?
The response should include a reference list. Using one-inch margins, Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space and APA style of writing and citations.