Differential Diagnosis
Primary Diagnosis The primary diagnosis of Mandy and Donna Roberts is factitious disorder imposed on another, a condition in which an individual inflicts an illness on someone else. The most predictive characteristic in patients is the absence of symptoms when the victim is separated from the caretaker (Greiner, Palusci, Keeshin, Kearns, & Sinal, 2013). The school nurse “did not think Mandy had any medical problems”; she appeared healthy and operational in the school setting. Another indication of the disorder is an inconsistent medical history and multiple hospital admissions. Donna refuses to sign a release for current health care professionals to talk with previous providers. Mandy was admitted and discharged several times …show more content…
It is also common that the perpetrator have extensive knowledge of hospitals (Shaw, Dayal, Hartman, & DeMaso, 2008). Donna was a nurse’s assistant, lending to her familiarity with the medical setting. She describes her constant research of Mandy’s ailments and is the primary health care provider for her. Furthermore, Mandy’s symptoms appear to be produced through the administration of unnecessary medications. Mandy takes Cisapride, a drug that increases the rate of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract digestion (“Cisapride Medial Facts”, 2010). Cisapride may result in diarrhea and nausea, two symptoms she evidently presents with. In contrast, Mandy is prescribed to Hyoscymaine, a medication that decelerates GI movements and is often used in irritable bowel syndrome patients (Lucak, Chang, Halpert, & Harris, 2016). These medications work in opposition
Primary Diagnosis The primary diagnosis of Mandy and Donna Roberts is factitious disorder imposed on another, a condition in which an individual inflicts an illness on someone else. The most predictive characteristic in patients is the absence of symptoms when the victim is separated from the caretaker (Greiner, Palusci, Keeshin, Kearns, & Sinal, 2013). The school nurse “did not think Mandy had any medical problems”; she appeared healthy and operational in the school setting. Another indication of the disorder is an inconsistent medical history and multiple hospital admissions. Donna refuses to sign a release for current health care professionals to talk with previous providers. Mandy was admitted and discharged several times …show more content…
It is also common that the perpetrator have extensive knowledge of hospitals (Shaw, Dayal, Hartman, & DeMaso, 2008). Donna was a nurse’s assistant, lending to her familiarity with the medical setting. She describes her constant research of Mandy’s ailments and is the primary health care provider for her. Furthermore, Mandy’s symptoms appear to be produced through the administration of unnecessary medications. Mandy takes Cisapride, a drug that increases the rate of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract digestion (“Cisapride Medial Facts”, 2010). Cisapride may result in diarrhea and nausea, two symptoms she evidently presents with. In contrast, Mandy is prescribed to Hyoscymaine, a medication that decelerates GI movements and is often used in irritable bowel syndrome patients (Lucak, Chang, Halpert, & Harris, 2016). These medications work in opposition