Purpose: Analyze and apply critical thinking skills in the psychopathology of mental health patients and provide treatment and health promotion while applying evidence-based research.
Scenario:
Kel is a 42-year-old certified public accountant (CPA) who dreams each year that she will board a cruise ship the day after Tax Day and go somewhere, anywhere, except Portsmouth, Virginia. Each year the dream, like the ocean, ebbs and flows, but this year she is not even going to think about such a “ridiculous idea.” In fact, she does not even have the energy to dream; getting out of bed and preparing to go to work is simply too labor intensive.
Each evening Kel retires to bed with a lack of energy to complete her normal tasks such as readying her clothes for work and making a lunch. She lacks the energy to shop in the evening; consequently, she eats mostly crackers and canned soup. She is not hungry, and her scale reflects this. She has lost 15 pounds over the last 2 months. She does not attend to her makeup or clothes; she finds both too taxing. The clothes she selects are drab and not ironed. At work she makes no effort to talk with her co-workers and does not initiate new contacts with clients. The normal work of filing taxes and writing reports, which she used to enjoy, are overwhelming, and she feels too disorganized to complete them. Telephone calls and e-mail messages from friends are ignored. Attendance at work is spotty.
Sue, her sister, becomes alarmed with Kel’s unanswered telephone calls and e-mails. Worried, she decides to visit her sister at home. She finds the apartment unclean and in disarray. Kel is unkempt, disheveled, and looks sad. Her voice is monotone and flat. Kel tells Sue that she feels “sad and hopeless. Nothing is ever going to change. I am a bad person and I can’t even do my work right. Although I sleep for many hours, I am still tired all the time.” Sue is alarmed at the changes in her sister and arranges for Kel to visit a health care worker at the medical clinic.
Questions:
Remember to answer these questions from your textbooks and NP guidelines. At all times, explain your answers.
Describe the presenting problems.
Generate a primary and differential diagnosis using the DSM5 and ICD 10 codes.
Formulate and prioritize a treatment plan.
Identify and discuss appropriate screening instruments for a patient who has suicidal ideation.
Submission Instructions:
Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. You should respond to at least two of your peers by extending, refuting/correcting, or adding additional nuance to their posts. All replies must be constructive and use literature where possible.
Grading Rubric
Your assignment will be graded according to the grading rubric.
Discussion Rubric
Criteria Ratings Points
Identification of Main Issues, Problems, and Concepts Distinguished – 4 points
Post is substantively accurate. Identifies and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the issues, problems, and concepts surrounding the assignment. Provides exceptional and thought-provoking analysis that directly addresses details and/or examples of the main topic. Excellent – 3 points
Post is mostly related to the topic. Demonstrates understanding of most of the issues, problems, and concepts surrounding the assignment. It provides some supporting details and/or examples. Analyses not as clear as they could be. Fair – 1-2 points
Demonstrates limited understanding of most of the issues, problems, and concepts surrounding the assignment. No details and/or examples are given. Poor – 0 points
Post is off-topic, incorrect and/or irrelevant to the issues, problems, and concepts surrounding the assignment. Analyses are not well organized or clear. 4 points
APA Formatting Guidelines Distinguished – 2 points
The reference page contains at least the required current scholarly academic reference and text reference. Follows APA guidelines of components: double space, 12 pt. font, abstract, level headings, hanging indent, and in-text citations. Excellent – 1 point
The reference page contains one current scholarly academic resource and text reference. Follows most APA guidelines of components: double space, 12 pt. font, abstract, level headings, hanging indent, and in-text citations. Fair – 0.5 points
The reference page contains one current or outdated scholarly academic resource. Many errors of APA guidelines: double space, 12 pt. font, abstract, level headings, hanging indent, and in-text citations. Poor – 0 points
The reference page contains no current scholarly academic resources, only internet web pages, or no reference page. Lack of APA guidelines for references provided or in-text citations. 2 points
Writing Mechanics Distinguished – 2 points
Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed; spelling is correct. Excellent – 1 point
Few grammatical errors, but sentences could be clearer and more precise. Fair – 0.5 points
The paper contains a few grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. Poor – 0 points
The paper contains numerous grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. 2 points
Response to Posts of Peers Distinguished – 2 points
Constructively responded to two other posts and either extended, expanded, or provided a rebuttal to each. Fair – 1 point
Constructively responded to one other post and either extended, expanded, or provided a rebuttal. Poor – 0 points
Provided no response to a peer’s post.
2 points
Total Points 10
