Christopher Apple, a 22-year-old white CIS male, is experiencing symptoms such as irritability, paranoia, and delusions. He currently holds the belief that he is being surveilled by the CIA through TVs, shoes, and phones. This belief has led him to dispose of shoes, disconnect electronic devices, and frequently discuss the supposed CIA investigation. Accompanied by his father, Christopher’s behavior has deteriorated over the past 8 months. At home, he demonstrates disorganization, forgetting to engage in basic self-care like bathing and grooming. His ability to maintain coherent thoughts is compromised, often veering into unrelated topics, or abruptly stopping mid-sentence. He engages in self-talk before bedtime and displays minimal emotional expression throughout most of the day. Christopher’s fear of arrest due to possessing classified world-ending information hinders his ability to leave the house. Notably, he has no history of autism and denies mood fluctuations.
Questions:(Use APA format; please use the questions for the heading and answers below, please cite work; minimum of 4 scholarly peer-reviewed references, North American only )
· What diagnosis best describes what may be happening to Christopher?
· What neurotransmitters are involved with his current symptoms?
· What classification of medications would best treat his symptoms?
· Choose one medication from the chosen class and provide the following:
· FDA Approvals
· Mechanism of action
· Time frame pt. should see results.
· Common Side effects
· Life-threatening side effects:
· Starting dose, and why you started with that dose
· Common Labs, baseline vitals collected. Provide reasoning.
Part II – The Assignment
· Please record yourself providing patient education on the medication you decided to you to utilize.
· You will speak to the camera as if you are speaking to the patient, with regard, care, and no medical jargon.
· Written case study answering the above questions; please cite.
Medication
Class
Why it could fit the case
Aripiprazole (Abilify)
Second-generation
D2 partial agonist; useful for schizophrenia; generally, less prolactin elevation and metabolic burden than some alternatives
Reference: Stahl, S. M. (2021). Stahl’s essential psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical applications (5th ed.). Cambridge University Press.