NURS 306: Week 8 - I'm not Dead yet!

What is mental health?

A state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life.

What is resiliency?

The ability to bounce back from adversity.

Anxiety and depression are not a normal part of aging (True/False).

True

1 multiple choice option

What is the clinical definition of depression?

A low mood or loss of interest or pleasure with 5 or more symptoms over a 2-week period with changes from baseline.

What does SIGECAPS mean in terms of s/s of depression?

- Sleep disturbances

- Decreased interest

- Guilty feelings

- Decreased energy

- Decreased concentration

- Changes in apetite

- Psychomotor retardation or activation

- Suicidal ideation

How do older adults differ in presentation with regards to depression?

- Somatic complaints

- Irritability

- Apathy more common than sadness

- Cognitive symptoms may dominate

- Symptoms can overlap with other medical conditions

- High stigma and minimization

What are some validated screening and assessment tools for depression in older adults?

- GDS

- PHQ-9

- Cornell Scale

What are some nursing care strategies when caring for older adults with depression?

- Be positive

- Listen and be supportive

- Don't get frustrated and rush

- Break tasks into smaller ones

- Don't expect them to snap out of it

- Encourage them

- Ask them what you can do for them

Which class of medications are preferred for treating depression and anxiety in older adults?

SSRIs/SNRIs.

What is required for a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder?

- Excessive anxiety and worry most of the day everyday for greater than 6 months

- The worry is challenging to control

- Accompanied by at least 3 s/s

What are some s/s associated anxiety disorders?

- Edginess or restlessness

- Tiring easily

- Impaired concentration

- Irritability

- Increased muscle aches and soreness

- Difficulty sleeping

What are some common anxiety disorders in older adults?

- Generalized anxiety disorder

- Panic disorder

- Phobias

- Obsessive compulsive disorder

What are some risk factors for anxiety disorders?

- Cognitive impairment

- Depression

- Female sex

- Functional limitations

- Insomnia

- Multimorbidity

- Pain

- Polypharmacy

- Social isolation

- Fear of falling

What are some validated tools used to assess anxiety in older adults?

- GAD 7

- PHQ-4

What are some "In the Moment" strategies for anxiety?

- 4-7-8 breathing techniques

- Grounding techniques

When managing depression and anxiety in older adults, it is recommended that you start with a pharmacologic approach first before resorting to non-pharmacologic measure (True/False).

False

1 multiple choice option