Describe your assigned client’s situation. Why are they presenting to
the clinic? What medications are they currently taking?
Abbas Fadel is an 11-year-old transgender male (assigned female at birth,
uses he/him pronouns) who presents with gender dysphoria. His mother
brought him to the clinic due to the onset of puberty, as Abbas wishes to
prevent the development of female secondary sex characteristics. On exam,
he is in Tanner stage 2, otherwise healthy, with no allergies, no current
medications, and no significant past medical history other than gender
dysphoria. Abbas prefers a treatment option that requires infrequent
administration but does not involve an implant.
Discuss your personal professional assessment of the client’s
situation provided in the scenario. What pharmacological treatment
is necessary and why?
In my personal professional assessment, the most appropriate
pharmacological treatment for Abbas is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone
(GnRH) agonist, such as leuprolide depot, administered as an intramuscular
injection every three months of 11.25 mg (Rosenthal & Burchum, 2026).
This aligns with current clinical practice guidelines for transgender
adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria and helps prevent the
progression of puberty until Abbas is older and can consent to testosterone
therapy (Hembree et al., 2017). Education for Abbas and his family should
address the purpose of therapy, possible side effects, and the importance of
adherence.
Reflect on additional questions you have about your assigned client
that may influence treatment. What else do you want to know? What
follow-up assessments, labs, or conversations are required to ensure
optimal health outcomes?
In addition to medication management, further considerations include
assessing psychosocial support, family involvement, and access to mental
health services experienced in transgender care. Baseline and follow-up
labs, growth monitoring, and bone health evaluation are also recommended
to ensure safety during long-term therapy (Rosenthal & Burchum, 2026).
Regular follow-up visits will be important to assess treatment effectiveness,
monitor for potential side effects, and offer ongoing support as Abbas moves
forward with future gender-affirming care
the clinic? What medications are they currently taking?
Abbas Fadel is an 11-year-old transgender male (assigned female at birth,
uses he/him pronouns) who presents with gender dysphoria. His mother
brought him to the clinic due to the onset of puberty, as Abbas wishes to
prevent the development of female secondary sex characteristics. On exam,
he is in Tanner stage 2, otherwise healthy, with no allergies, no current
medications, and no significant past medical history other than gender
dysphoria. Abbas prefers a treatment option that requires infrequent
administration but does not involve an implant.
Discuss your personal professional assessment of the client’s
situation provided in the scenario. What pharmacological treatment
is necessary and why?
In my personal professional assessment, the most appropriate
pharmacological treatment for Abbas is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone
(GnRH) agonist, such as leuprolide depot, administered as an intramuscular
injection every three months of 11.25 mg (Rosenthal & Burchum, 2026).
This aligns with current clinical practice guidelines for transgender
adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria and helps prevent the
progression of puberty until Abbas is older and can consent to testosterone
therapy (Hembree et al., 2017). Education for Abbas and his family should
address the purpose of therapy, possible side effects, and the importance of
adherence.
Reflect on additional questions you have about your assigned client
that may influence treatment. What else do you want to know? What
follow-up assessments, labs, or conversations are required to ensure
optimal health outcomes?
In addition to medication management, further considerations include
assessing psychosocial support, family involvement, and access to mental
health services experienced in transgender care. Baseline and follow-up
labs, growth monitoring, and bone health evaluation are also recommended
to ensure safety during long-term therapy (Rosenthal & Burchum, 2026).
Regular follow-up visits will be important to assess treatment effectiveness,
monitor for potential side effects, and offer ongoing support as Abbas moves
forward with future gender-affirming care
