Assignment: Assessing and Treating Pediatric Patients With Mood Disorders

12/12/21, 6:48 PM Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of Psychopathology

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Therapy for Pediatric Clients with Mood Disorders An African American Child Su�ering From Depression

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.

� Client complained of feeling “sad”

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� Mother reports that teacher said child is withdrawn from peers in class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”. A�ect 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 signi�cant

depression)

RESOURCES

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

Services.

Decision Point One Select what the PMHNP should do:

Begin Zoloft 25 mg orally daily

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Begin Paxil 10 mg orally daily

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Begin Wellbutrin 75 mg orally BID

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