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Assessing and Treating Patients with ADHD- Decision Tree
Author Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course Number and Name
Instructor’s Name
Due Date
This study source was downloaded by 100000881663784 from nursinghero.com on 09-12-2024 21:25:31 GMT -05:00
https://www.nursinghero.com/study-files/2330760
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Assessing and Treating Patients with ADHD – Decision Tree
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder that is
commonly diagnosed in childhood and can last into adulthood. ADHD affects children's ability
to perform academically, interact socially, and have overall well-being. As per the DSM-V,
ADHD is categorized as a neurodevelopmental disorder and defined as a persistent pattern of
inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity which interferes with overall functioning or
development. The three types of ADHD include predominantly inattentive presentation,
predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation and combined presentation. The DSM-V
diagnostic criteria are used to diagnose ADHD.
The case study presents an 8-year-old female who the teacher believes has ADHD and
was sent to see the PMHNP. The patient's teacher notes symptoms such as being inattentive,
easily distracted, forgetting or forgetting things she has already learned, and having poor
spelling, reading, and arithmetic skills. She has a short attention span and only pays attention to
things she is interested in. She also lacks interest in schoolwork and starts things but never
finishes them. The reported signs give a clear picture of ADHD diagnosis because it meets the
DSM-V diagnostic criteria. In this case, the patient presents with more than six symptoms based
on the DSM-V criteria. Considering the current guidelines, psychostimulants are recommended
as the first-line treatment for managing ADHD. Based on this patient's case, the treatment goal is
to improve the symptoms to restore functioning at home and school.
Decision 1
Based on the 8-year-old girl's case, I would select Ritalin 10mg daily. This drug is a
central nervous system stimulant and is a first-line therapy for managing ADHD in children,
adolescents and adults. It binds to dopamine agonist transport proteins, which block dopamine
This study source was downloaded by 100000881663784 from nursinghero.com on 09-12-2024 21:25:31 GMT -05:00
https://www.nursinghero.com/study-files/2330760
Assessing and Treating Patients with ADHD- Decision Tree
Author Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course Number and Name
Instructor’s Name
Due Date
This study source was downloaded by 100000881663784 from nursinghero.com on 09-12-2024 21:25:31 GMT -05:00
https://www.nursinghero.com/study-files/2330760
, 2
Assessing and Treating Patients with ADHD – Decision Tree
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder that is
commonly diagnosed in childhood and can last into adulthood. ADHD affects children's ability
to perform academically, interact socially, and have overall well-being. As per the DSM-V,
ADHD is categorized as a neurodevelopmental disorder and defined as a persistent pattern of
inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity which interferes with overall functioning or
development. The three types of ADHD include predominantly inattentive presentation,
predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation and combined presentation. The DSM-V
diagnostic criteria are used to diagnose ADHD.
The case study presents an 8-year-old female who the teacher believes has ADHD and
was sent to see the PMHNP. The patient's teacher notes symptoms such as being inattentive,
easily distracted, forgetting or forgetting things she has already learned, and having poor
spelling, reading, and arithmetic skills. She has a short attention span and only pays attention to
things she is interested in. She also lacks interest in schoolwork and starts things but never
finishes them. The reported signs give a clear picture of ADHD diagnosis because it meets the
DSM-V diagnostic criteria. In this case, the patient presents with more than six symptoms based
on the DSM-V criteria. Considering the current guidelines, psychostimulants are recommended
as the first-line treatment for managing ADHD. Based on this patient's case, the treatment goal is
to improve the symptoms to restore functioning at home and school.
Decision 1
Based on the 8-year-old girl's case, I would select Ritalin 10mg daily. This drug is a
central nervous system stimulant and is a first-line therapy for managing ADHD in children,
adolescents and adults. It binds to dopamine agonist transport proteins, which block dopamine
This study source was downloaded by 100000881663784 from nursinghero.com on 09-12-2024 21:25:31 GMT -05:00
https://www.nursinghero.com/study-files/2330760
