Family Nurse Practitioner Assignment: Adolescent Patient Case Study

This report presents a Family Nurse Practitioner's analysis of an adolescent patient presenting with concerns about underweight status and the use of diet pills. The assignment begins by outlining the initial concerns, including the potential for diet pill addiction and associated health risks. It then details the diagnostic process, recommending the use of specific screening tools like the DSM-5 and substance use assessments. The report outlines a comprehensive treatment plan, including pharmacological interventions for withdrawal symptoms, referrals for further care, and a focus on patient education regarding medication side effects. Furthermore, the report emphasizes the importance of health promotion strategies, such as promoting healthy eating behaviors and lifestyle changes, as well as the involvement of family in the patient's care. The assignment incorporates relevant research and evidence-based practices to address the patient's needs effectively.

Running head: FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER
Family nurse practitioner
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER
Initial concern
The initial concerns with the adolescent patient is the underweight and BMI below the
normal range. It is the concern because the patient asks for diet pills which are known to reduce
appetite and promote weight loss. The patient is already very thin and frail. There may be the
chance for diet pill addiction as the patient also complains of lack of concentration. Diet pills are
known to cause poor concentration. Further area of concern is malnutrition and weakness (West
& Brown, 2013).
Diagnosis
The screening tool that can be used for diagnosis in this case is – “DSM-5 Self-Rated
Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure” useful for children age 11-17. It is useful to identify
the areas of inquiry necessary for treatment and prognosis. It comes with 25 items to determine
the frequency of use of a given substance. If any item within the domain is scored more than 2
on 5 point scale, it indicates further inquiry. The screening tool may be followed with “LEVEL 2
—Substance Use—Child Age 11–17). It helps assess the pure domain of the substance abuse in
adolescents. If multiple items are scored greater than 0, it means severity is high. To get closer to
the diagnosis the screening will be followed by detection of positive symptoms, brief assessment,
in-depth assessment, and then interventions (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; American
Psychiatric Association Adapted NIDA Modified ASSIST Tools).
Health promotion
Pharmacological interventions to treat withdrawl symptoms may include
antidepressants, benzodiazepine
Referral to physician Adjust medication dosages and help with detox and

2FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER
address complexities
Medication assessment and education Educate the patent about the side effects of the diet
pills and ask for regular follow up
Referral to rehab treatment To overcome addiction through CBT, life skills
training and group support theory-
psychotherapeutic care
Education on healthy lifestyle and family
involvement
To promote healthy eating behaviours and life
style,
patient and family centered care
(Townsend 2013, Pilowsky & Wu, 2013)

3FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
(DSM-5®). American Psychiatric Pub.
Pilowsky, D. J., & Wu, L. T. (2013). Screening instruments for substance use and brief
interventions targeting adolescents in primary care: a literature review. Addictive
behaviors, 38(5), 2146-2153.
Townsend, M.C., 2013. Essentials of psychiatric mental health nursing: Concepts of care in
evidence-based practice. FA Davis.
West, R., & Brown, J. (2013). Theory of addiction. John Wiley & Sons.