TO PREPARE FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT:
· Select a vulnerable patient from the list provided.
· Consider age, birth-assigned sex, FDA approvals, and risk and side-effect consideration.
· Select the most appropriate medication for your selected patient based upon the information provided.
· Review the textbook for commonly prescribed antidepressants,
Fast Facts for Psychopharmacology for Nurse Practitioners.
· Conduct research through the
FDA websiteLinks to an external site..
· Review prescriber information for professionals of the medications.
Note: These can be located free online with web search.
· Review national guidelines for prescribing for these vulnerable individuals:
·
Depression Treatments for AdultsLinks to an external site.
·
Depression Treatments for Older AdultsLinks to an external site.
·
Depression Treatments for Children and AdolescentsLinks to an external site.
THE ASSIGNMENT
Step 1: Choose one of the following vulnerable patients to create a Medication Guide for the patient:
·
Patient 1: 26-year-old female with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder and social anxiety disorder who is increasing in isolation and poor self-care. She is in her third trimester of pregnancy.
·
Patient 2: 16-year-old male with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, severe. He has seen a therapist weekly for the past 6 months and has had minimal change in symptoms. He has expressed thoughts of wanting to die.
·
Patient 3: 72-year-old male with diagnosis of major depressive disorder and panic disorder. He has cardiac history and takes antihypertensive medications.
·
Patient 4: 8-year-old Asian female with a diagnosis of severe depressive disorder presents to the office with a report of worsening symptoms. She has never taken psychotropic medication before.
Step 2: Create a Medication Guide for a patient. In your guide, you should provide the following specific instructions for the patient:
· Describe the chosen classification of medications, from the classification category, for your chosen vulnerable patient. Explain your rationale for your choice.
· Explain what dose you would start the chosen medication with and the frequency.
· Discuss how the medication works to treat their symptoms.
· Explain how long they should take the medication.
· Discuss the typical or common side effects of the medication.
· Explain the urgent or emergent considerations for the patient taking the medication.
The Medication Guide should also include:
· Directions you would provide the patient on how to take the prescribed medication
· Instructions on what the patient should do if a medication dose is missed
· List of any other medications, over-the-counter medications, and/or supplements/herbals the patient should avoid while taking the prescribed medication
· List of foods the patient should avoid when taking this medication
· Date when the patient should return for follow-up visit with you
· Discussion about the legal and ethical considerations for the medication being prescribed
· Answers in consideration of Social Determinants of Health on how you would:
· Assist the patient who cannot not afford to pay financially for the medication you are recommending/prescribing; and/or
· Has difficulty with transportation that impacts their ability to present for regular appointments with you
· Discuss how financial hardship and lack of transportation could relate to Social Determinants of Health, as well as why they are important considerations for you as a prescriber.
