Differences between Expected Results and Actual Results <\/strong><\/h2>\nThe patient came back to the hospital after two weeks with a 25% reduction of the depression symptoms just as expected by the PMHNP. However, the patient reported erectile dysfunction, which is one of the side effects of Zoloft. This effect was however not anticipated by the PMHNP since erectile dysfunction is usually very rare as compared to other side effects of Zoloft (Cipriani et al.,<\/em> 2016).<\/p>\nDecision Point Two<\/strong><\/h2>\n\u00a0Selected Decision <\/strong><\/h3>\nAdd augmenting agent such as Wellbutrin IR 150 mg in the morning<\/p>\n
Reasons for the Selection <\/strong><\/h2>\nAfter two weeks, the patient responded appropriately to Zoloft with a 25% reduction in depression symptoms. However, he also reported signs of erectile dysfunction, which needs to be addressed if the patient continues using the drug. In this case, the best intervention would be to include Wellbutrin, which is an effective augmenting agent that helps in the management of Zoloft induced erectile dysfunction. The two-drug combination therapy has been used over the years to prevent drug-induced erectile dysfunction in young and elderly men (Linde, Kriston, & Rucker, 2015). The other drugs provided for this case study cannot be used as they do not have the required pharmacological activity to manage erectile dysfunction. In this scenario, Wellbutrin will be administered slowly at first, while slowly withdrawing Zoloft, to be able to correct the erectile dysfunction as the depression symptoms of the patients are managed as well. Consequently, low doses of Zoloft are ineffective, hence cannot be recommended by the nurse. Continuous use of the drug might also worsen the erectile dysfunction among other side effects; hence, it is best to withdraw the use of Zoloft.<\/p>\n
Expected Results <\/strong><\/h2>\nAugmentation of Zoloft with Wellbutrin is expected to reduce the erectile dysfunction side effects. The depression symptoms of the patient are also expected to reduce even further from the results of the first two weeks. A combination therapy comprising of Wellbutrin and Zoloft has shown great synergism in the past, with one drug boosting the effect of the other, hence having maximum benefit in the management of depression (Linde, Kriston, & Rucker, 2015). At the end of the treatment period, the patient should negligible depression symptoms with resolved erectile dysfunction.<\/p>\n
Differences between Expected Results and Actual Results <\/strong><\/h2>\nThe patient came back to the hospital later, after the introduction of Wellbutrin, with positive results. His erectile dysfunction had been resolved. He also claimed that he felt better, with significantly reduced symptoms of depression. This was precisely what was expected after the intervention. The patient, however, complained of a feeling of nervousness and jittery in some cases (Arroll et al.,<\/em> 2016). This was not strange as they are the main side effect of most antidepressants. In this case, both Zoloft and Wellbutrin could have been the reason behind these side effects. The synergistic effect on the dose of both drugs could have been a factor that led to these symptoms.<\/p>\nDiscussion Point Three<\/strong><\/h2>\nSelected Decision <\/strong><\/h3>\nChange Wellbutrin to XL 150 mg orally daily in AM<\/p>\n
Reasons for the Selection <\/strong><\/h2>\nDuring follow up assessment, the patient only reported signs of jittery, as the side effect of the combination therapy. Both the antidepressants can cause this side effect. However, the side effect most likely came as a result of Wellbutrin\u2019s mode of release, given that the drug is formulated as an immediate release. Hence, the most appropriate intervention, in this case, is to change the formulation of Wellbutrin to extended release, instead of slow release, to track down the main cause of the jittery feeling displayed by the patient. The slow release formulation has also proven to be effective in managing depression symptoms (Linde, Kriston, & Rucker, 2015). Ativan should be avoided, as the introduction of a new pharmacological agent as a result of the side effects of another drug is greatly discouraged. Moreover, withdrawal of Zoloft is also not necessary as the drug is not the reason behind the displayed side effects.<\/p>\n
Expected Results<\/strong><\/h2>\nIf the feeling of jittery was as a result of the Wellbutrin\u2019s immediate release formulation, then the formulation change to extended-release should be able to resolve the problem. The depressions symptoms will be reduced even further as both drugs are maintained. The patient\u2019s confidence will be improved once the jitteriness has been resolved, which is one of the main goals of the intervention. Additionally, other symptoms of depression are expected to be entirely resolved by the end of the prescribed duration.<\/p>\n
Differences between Expected Results and Actual Results <\/strong><\/h2>\nThe treatment outcome of the patient was consistent with the nurse\u2019s expected results. Just like the intervention made by the PMHNP nurse, most side effects are usually managed by altering the formulation of the drug first, rather than changing the drug regimen. Introduction of another drug, or replacing the existing one, could result in other side effects which will also become a problem (Linde, Kriston, & Rucker, 2015).<\/p>\n
Impact of Ethical Consideration on Treatment Plan<\/strong><\/h2>\nFrom an ethical perspective, the management of depression using the most appropriate antidepressants surpasses the administration of other drugs. It is the moral obligation of the PMHNP nurse to provide the patient with adequate information on the drugs used in terms of both the benefits and side effects. Consequently, before picking on a specific drug to use, the nurse is obliged to utilize the patient\u2019s past medical history and comprehensively evaluate the prompt diagnosis. The nurse must also inform the patient about the reasons behind the use of different pharmacological agents (Lee, 2013). On the other hand, the nurse needs to be aware of the hopes of the patient, what motivates them and their most significant concerns, to create a root basis for psychotherapeutic interventions in addition to pharmacological especially in the management of specific depression symptoms. Consequently, concerning evidence-based practice, drugs with high suicidal risks should be eliminated from the patients care plan.<\/p>\n
Conclusion <\/strong><\/h2>\nDepression can cause substantial impacts on the patient\u2019s social and economic status, in addition to that of their family. Hence, the management of this condition should be taken very seriously with proper diagnostic assessment methods to be able to come up with the most appropriate intervention. Additionally, the choice of drugs for such cases are usually based on several factors and might even require altering in the course of treatment depending on the treatment outcome. Other pharmacological agents in addition to psychotherapy might also be used in the management of depression.<\/p>\n
References<\/h2>\n
Cowen, P. J. (January 01, 2017). Backing into the future: pharmacological approaches to the management of resistant depression. Psychological Medicine, 47, <\/em>15, 2569-2577.<\/p>\nVuorilehto, M. S., Melartin, T. K., Riihim\u00e4ki, K., & Isomets\u00e4, E. T. (September 15, 2016). Pharmacological and psychosocial treatment of depression in primary care: Low intensity and poor adherence and continuity. Journal of Affective Disorders, 202, <\/em>145-152.<\/p>\nPolatin, P., Bevers, K., & Gatchel, R. J. (June 14, 2017). Pharmacological treatment of depression in geriatric chronic pain patients: a biopsychosocial approach integrating functional restoration. Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology, <\/em>1-7.<\/p>\nCoplan, J. D. (January 01, 2015). Treating comorbid anxiety and depression: Psychosocial and pharmacological approaches. World Journal of Psychiatry, 5, <\/em>4, 366.<\/p>\nLee, Hpdabpp. (2013). Psychological Treatment of Older Adults: A Holistic Model<\/em>. Springer Publishing Company.<\/p>\nCipriani, A., Zhou, X., Del, G. C., Hetrick, S. E., Qin, B., Whittington, C., Coghill, D., … Xie, P. (August 01, 2016). Comparative efficacy and tolerability of antidepressants for major depressive disorder in children and adolescents: a network meta-analysis. The Lancet,<\/em> 388, <\/em>10047, 881-890.<\/p>\nArroll, B., Chin, W., Martis, W., Goodyear-Smith, F., Mount, V., Kingsford, D., Humm, S., … MacGillivray, S. (January 01, 2016). Antidepressants for treatment of depression in primary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Primary Health Care, 8, <\/em>4, 325.<\/p>\nLinde, K., Kriston, L., & Rucker, G. (January 01, 2015). Efficacy and Acceptability of Pharmacological Treatments for Depressive Disorders in Primary Care: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Annals of Family Medicine, 13, <\/em>1, 69-79.<\/p>\nStahl, S. M. (2013). Stahl\u2019s essential psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical applications<\/em> (4th ed.). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.<\/p>\nStahl, S. M. (2014b). The prescriber\u2019s guide<\/em> (5th ed.). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.<\/p>\n