Discussion On Decision Making When Treating Psychological Di

Discussion Decision Making When Treating Psychological Disorderspsych

Discussion: Decision Making When Treating Psychological Disorders Psychological disorders, such as depression, bipolar, and anxiety disorders can present several complications for patients of all ages. These disorders affect patients physically and emotionally, potentially impacting judgment, school and/or job performance, and relationships with family and friends. Since these disorders have many drastic effects on patients’ lives, it is important for advanced practice nurses to effectively manage patient care. With patient factors and medical history in mind, it is the advanced practice nurse’s responsibility to ensure the safe and effective diagnosis, treatment, and education of patients with psychological disorders.

For this Discussion, you will select an interactive media piece to practice decision making when treating patients with psychological disorders. You will recommend the most effective pharmacotherapeutic to treat the psychological disorder presented and examine potential impacts of pharmacotherapeutics on a patient’s pathophysiology. To Prepare Review this week’s interactive media pieces and select one to focus on for this Discussion. Reflect on the decision steps in the interactive media pieces, and consider the potential impacts from the administration of the associated pharmacotherapeutics on the patient’s pathophysiology. By Day 3 of Week 8 Post a brief explanation of the psychological disorder presented and the decision steps you applied in completing the interactive media piece for the psychological disorder you selected.

Then, explain how the administration of the associated pharmacotherapeutics you recommended may impact the patient’s pathophysiology. How might these potential impacts inform how you would suggest treatment plans for this patient? Be specific and provide examples. By Day 6 of Week 8 Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days who selected a different interactive media piece on a psychological disorder, and provide recommendations for alternative drug treatments to address the patient’s pathophysiology. Post a brief explanation of the psychological disorder presented and the decision steps you applied in completing the interactive media piece for the psychological disorder you selected. Then, explain how the administration of the associated pharmacotherapeutics you recommended may impact the patient’s pathophysiology. How might these potential impacts inform how you would suggest treatment plans for this patient? Be specific and provide examples.

Paper For Above instruction

Psychological disorders pose significant challenges in clinical management due to their complex symptomatology and diverse treatment options. For this discussion, I selected an interactive media piece focused on Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), a prevalent psychological disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and physical symptoms such as changes in sleep and appetite. The decision steps in the interactive module emphasized a comprehensive assessment, including evaluating symptom severity, duration, functional impairment, and ruling out differential diagnoses such as bipolar disorder or thyroid dysfunction. Once the diagnosis was established, the decision-making process involved choosing an appropriate pharmacotherapeutic agent based on patient-specific factors such as age, comorbidities, medication history, and potential side effects.

The pharmacotherapy recommended in the module for MDD was an Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), specifically sertraline. SSRIs are typically first-line treatments for depression due to their favorable side effect profile and efficacy. The decision to prescribe sertraline was informed by its mechanism of increasing serotonergic neurotransmission, which is often diminished in depressed patients. The medication’s impact on pathophysiology involves enhancing mood regulation, reducing depressive symptoms, and improving overall functioning.

The administration of sertraline affects the patient’s neurochemical balance by increasing serotonin availability in synaptic clefts, which compensates for serotonergic dysregulation seen in depression. This neurochemical change can lead to symptom improvement but also presents potential impacts on other systems. For example, serotonergic modulation may influence gastrointestinal function, leading to side effects such as nausea or diarrhea. Additionally, serotonergic excess can sometimes result in emotional blunting or sexual dysfunction, which may impact patient adherence.

Understanding these impacts informs treatment planning by highlighting the importance of monitoring side effects, adjusting dosage, or considering alternative therapies if adverse effects impair quality of life. For instance, if a patient experiences significant sexual dysfunction, switching to a different class like Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) such as venlafaxine might be advantageous. Conversely, if a patient has a history of bipolar disorder, prescribing SSRIs could trigger mood destabilization, necessitating mood stabilizers either alone or in combination.

In conclusion, pharmacotherapeutic choices in treating psychological disorders must be tailored to individual pathophysiology and patient-specific factors. The neurochemical impacts of these medications, including potential side effects and interactions, are critical considerations in developing an effective, safe treatment plan. Continuous assessment and patient education are essential for optimizing therapeutic outcomes and ensuring adherence.

References

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