Gibbs William, Bell Harrison, Ajith Aniruddh, Sadtler Kim, Escuro Katrina, Brooks Deborah, Edwards Sarah
Department of Psychiatry, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Nurs. 2021 May;34(2):133-138. doi: 10.1111/jcap.12305. Epub 2021 Jan 2.
This case highlights the importance of nursing-directed interprofessional treatment and inpatient unit genetic testing to identify genetic syndromes that may potentiate psychiatric conditions.
A case study of a 10-year-old Caucasian male with a history of a congenital heart defect, hand malformation, and low academic functioning who was admitted to the child inpatient psychiatric unit for eloping from school, aggression, and possible psychotic symptoms. Data were collected using patient medical records and interprofessional evaluation from nursing, psychiatry, and occupational therapy.
The patient was treated with risperidone to manage psychotic symptoms. Dietary, occupational therapy, and scholastic plans were also implemented. After discharge, results of genetic microarray analysis revealed a Type 1 16p11.2 deletion.
The role of nursing, interprofessional collaboration, and access to consultation teams play a crucial role in patient care for early diagnosis and treatment. Inpatient genetic testing has the potential to quickly identify and diagnose previously unidentified symptom clusters, leading to early intervention, closer monitoring, and improved patient outcomes.
