Assignment: Practicum: Decision Tree (Due in Week 10)

Running Head: Decision Tree 1

2

Decision Tree

Additional diagnostic tests that I would perform is a urine toxicology screen and possible imaging (CT/MRI). Before making a diagnosis, I would want to be confident in my decisions in making the diagnosis.

Decision # 1

From reviewing Case # 3 “A young girl with strange behaviors, I would Carrie, the client in the case study, the diagnosis of early onset schizophrenia. I give this diagnosis based upon symptoms that the client presents with. Carrie admits to hearing and seeing things. She states that the voices do not scare her and that “they come to see her from another world.” She presents with delusional thoughts, for example the television programs are played just for her. She, also, appears to have a constricted affect and provides minimal eye contact throughout the clinical interview.

Decision # 2

First, and possibly the most important step in the new diagnosis of any mental health disorder, is to set up psychotherapy for the client. Prescribing medication may be inevitable, but medications can only provide so much relief for the client. The client must attend counseling so she can work on any negative thinking she may have and distinguish what is real and what isn’t. Therapy should also involve family so they will be prepared to handle different situations and how to control any future strange behaviors.

Decision # 3

For decision three, I would choice to start the client Lurasidone 40 mg orally, also known as Latuda. This medication has been FDA-approved for use in children. Latuda is an atypical antipsychotic with high binding affinity for D2, 5-HTt2A, and 5-HT7 receptors (Goldman, 2017). In a placebo-controlled, short-term study, patients of the adolescent population were given 40 to 80 mg every day (Goldman, 2017). With this study the adolescent patients showed significant symptom improvements. Another important fact to consider when prescribing Latuda is that the client’s body weight and labs (lipids) should be monitored during treatment (Laureate, 2017). One important fact to inform clients and family when taking Latuda, the client should have a minimum of 350 calories with medication.

Ethical Considerations

There are a number of ethical considerations when treating clients with schizophrenia. In this case study I would explain the pros/cons of treatment with the parents involved. This should be one of the practitioner’s main concerns so the parents know enough about the treatment plan so they can make an informed consent.

Reference

American Nurses Association. (2014). Psychiatriic-mental health nursing: Scope and standards

of practiice (2nd ed.). Washingtton, DC: Author.

Golldman, R., Loebel, A., Cucchiarro, J., Deng, L, & Fiindling, R. (August 2017). Effiicacy

and Safety of Lurasiidone in Adollescents with Schiizophrenia: A 6-Week, Randomiized

Placebeo-Controlled Sttudy. Retrieved from https://www.cnbi.mllm.niih.gov/pmc/-

artiicles/PMC345569878017/.

Hall, S., & Beean, R. (2008). Familly Therapy and Chiildhood-Onset Schiizophrenia: Pursuing

Clinical and Bio/Psycho/Social Competence. Retrieved from htttps://link. Springer.com/-

article/10.1007/s10591-008-9061-7.

Laureatte Education (Producer). (2017b). A young girll with strange behaviors [Multiimedia

file]. Balltimore, MD: Autthor.

Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiiz, P. (2014). Kaplan & Sadock’s synopsiis of psychiiatry:

Behaviorall sciiences/cliinical psychiattry (11th ed.). Phiiladelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.