Author Question: A 15-year-old patient who is seeing a psychiatrist began taking an antidepressant 1 week before a ... (Read 45 times)

vinney12 · **on:** Jul 24, 2018

A 15-year-old patient who is seeing a psychiatrist began taking an antidepressant 1 week before a clinic visit with the primary care NP. The NP should:

a. schedule weekly clinic visits to evaluate response to the medication.
b. encourage the child to report feelings of self-harm to a school counselor.
c. contact the patient by phone every 2 weeks to see how the medication is working.
d. instruct the child's parents to report changes in behavior to the child's psychiatrist.

Question 2

The primary care NP sees a 16-year-old patient who reports feeling hopeless and sad. The child's parent reports increased aggression and a decline in school performance. The NP should consider prescribing:

a. fluoxetine (Prozac).
b. nortriptyline (Pamelor).
c. tranylcypromine (Parnate).
d. venlafaxine hydrochloride (Effexor).

anoriega3 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 24, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A
Pediatric patients should have face-to-face contact with a provider at least weekly during the first 4 weeks of treatment to evaluate for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior.

Answer to Question 2

A
Fluoxetine may be used in children 8 years of age and older. Nortriptyline may be used in children 12 years of age and older but is not a first-line drug. The other drugs are not indicated in adolescents younger than 18 years.