NURS 6630 – Psychopharmacologic
Approaches to Treatment of
Psychopathology Discussions and
Assignments
David Mungai
[COMPANY NAME] [Company address]
, NURS 6630 – Psychopharmacologic Approaches to
Treatment of Psychopathology Discussions and
Assignments
Case Study: An Elderly Iranian Man with Alzheimer’s
Disease
Introduction
The client, Mr. Akkad is a 76 year old Iranian. Mr. Akkad’s diagnosis is
major neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease
(presumptive). For the MMSE, the client scores 18 out of 30 which
indicate moderate dementia. The purpose of this paper is to present
three decisions regarding the client’s medications. The paper will also
discuss factors that might impact the client’s pharmacokinetic and
pharmacodynamic processes. Finally, ethical considerations might
impact treatment plan and communication with clients will be taken
into account. NURS 6630 – Psychopharmacologic Approaches to
Treatment of Psychopathology Discussions and Assignments.
Decision Point 1
The first decision is that the client start taking Exelon (rivastigmine) 1.5
mg orally BID with an increase to 3 mg orally BID in 2 weeks.
Rationale of selecting the Decision
This decision was selected because evidence supports effectiveness of
Exelon (rivastigmine) for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and
dementia as well (Su et al, 2015). Pathological changes present in
Dementia of the Alzheimer type involve cholinergic neuronal pathways.
Therefore, exelon (rivastigmine) exercises its therapeutic effect by
improving cholinergic function (Kandiah et al, 2017). The medication
stops breakdown of acetylcholine and hence improves synaptic
transmissions in the brain, which are related to memory and other
cognitive functions. The client has Alzheimer’s and hence has low levels
of the acetylcholine chemical within the brain. In addition, the client
has moderate dementia. FDA guidelines and evidence recommend first
dosage to be 1.5 mg BID and if the patient tolerates the dose after
treatment of at least 2 weeks, it is appropriate to increase the dosage to
3 mg BID (Birks et al, 2015).
Approaches to Treatment of
Psychopathology Discussions and
Assignments
David Mungai
[COMPANY NAME] [Company address]
, NURS 6630 – Psychopharmacologic Approaches to
Treatment of Psychopathology Discussions and
Assignments
Case Study: An Elderly Iranian Man with Alzheimer’s
Disease
Introduction
The client, Mr. Akkad is a 76 year old Iranian. Mr. Akkad’s diagnosis is
major neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease
(presumptive). For the MMSE, the client scores 18 out of 30 which
indicate moderate dementia. The purpose of this paper is to present
three decisions regarding the client’s medications. The paper will also
discuss factors that might impact the client’s pharmacokinetic and
pharmacodynamic processes. Finally, ethical considerations might
impact treatment plan and communication with clients will be taken
into account. NURS 6630 – Psychopharmacologic Approaches to
Treatment of Psychopathology Discussions and Assignments.
Decision Point 1
The first decision is that the client start taking Exelon (rivastigmine) 1.5
mg orally BID with an increase to 3 mg orally BID in 2 weeks.
Rationale of selecting the Decision
This decision was selected because evidence supports effectiveness of
Exelon (rivastigmine) for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and
dementia as well (Su et al, 2015). Pathological changes present in
Dementia of the Alzheimer type involve cholinergic neuronal pathways.
Therefore, exelon (rivastigmine) exercises its therapeutic effect by
improving cholinergic function (Kandiah et al, 2017). The medication
stops breakdown of acetylcholine and hence improves synaptic
transmissions in the brain, which are related to memory and other
cognitive functions. The client has Alzheimer’s and hence has low levels
of the acetylcholine chemical within the brain. In addition, the client
has moderate dementia. FDA guidelines and evidence recommend first
dosage to be 1.5 mg BID and if the patient tolerates the dose after
treatment of at least 2 weeks, it is appropriate to increase the dosage to
3 mg BID (Birks et al, 2015).
