A PMHNP is seeing a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia in…

A PMHNP is seeing a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia in the outpatient clinic. The patient is experiencing an inadequate response to the first prescribed antipsychotic medication or dopamine reuptake blocking agent (DRBA). Which of the following interventions is not an appropriate next step in this patient’s treatment plan?

A 10-year-old female presents with history of major depressi…

A 10-year-old female presents with history of major depressive disorder, single episode that was diagnosed approximately 2 year ago. She originally presented with feeling sad and down most days of the week, some irritability, withdrawing to her room often, low self-esteem, and a decrease in interest for activities she typically enjoyed last year. Patient reports she still has some depressed periods but overall her depression has improved over the last year with her current medication regimen. However mother is concerned that within the last 12 months the patient has become increasingly irritable. The patient reports feeling annoyed or irritated almost daily and for most of the day. She has more frequent outbursts of anger in the last couple months and her anger seems to be triggered by minor incidents or being denied something she has requested. Mother also reports when she has her anger outbursts she will destroy property, scream, and slam doors. Majority of outbursts occur at home, but teachers have noted the change in mood and increase in “snapping” or getting angry with peers at school. Would you consider revising her diagnosis? If so, what would you update her working diagnosis list to?

A 19-year-old male presents to the emergency department with…

A 19-year-old male presents to the emergency department with symptoms of psychosis including hearing voices and delusions that he is being followed by the FBI.  The PMHNP knows that substance use needs to be ruled out.  All of the following substances are associated with symptoms of psychosis except:

The PMHNP sees a patient who has the diagnosis of schizophre…

The PMHNP sees a patient who has the diagnosis of schizophrenia and is taking risperidone. The patient had an electrocardiogram (ECG) performed recently that the PMHNP is reviewing and the PMHNP knows that an ECG change that needs to be monitored when patients are taking risperidone includes:

A 25-year-old female is referred by her women’s health nurse…

A 25-year-old female is referred by her women’s health nurse practitioner for evaluation.  The patient reports that the week before her period every month she feels angrier and is increasingly irritable, and has difficulty concentrating, low energy, and a desire to sleep more and eat more ice cream.  These symptoms all seem to stop the week after her period.  What is the most likely diagnosis?