Case Study

Li Chen is a 43-year-old, married, Chinese-American woman who comes for an evaluation for anxiety-related symptoms. She presents with excessive worry that she finds challenging to control and complaints of irritability, muscle tension, and difficulty falling asleep.

She reports the anxiety symptoms are causing her difficulty caring for her two children. She reports she has developed a fear of driving her car, which has limited her ability to shop, take her children to school, and her ability to see her family who live 20 minutes away. She tells you that every time she tries to drive, she experiences a feeling of extreme dread.

Her last menstrual period was three weeks ago. She reports a history of high blood pressure for which she takes Lisinopril 20 mg daily. She is 5’ 4” and 110 pounds.

Questions
From your perspective as Li’s psychiatric nurse practitioner, answer the following questions in a double-spaced paper (not including the reference page) and in APA format. Include at least three peer-reviewed, evidence-based references.

1-Identify one screening tool you could use when evaluating Li.
2-Articulate one DSM-5 diagnosis and at least one differential diagnosis for Li. Please match her symptoms with the corresponding DSM-5 criteria.
3-What interviewing techniques would be best used for Li?
4-Identify what lab work you would order for Li. Provide evidence to support your rationale.
5-What coping skills would you give Li? Would you refer her to therapy? If so, what type? Provide evidence to support your rationale.
6-Is Li in need of hospital stabilization? If so, what steps would you take to seek hospitalization? Would you involve her family? Why?