Wk. 5 - Major Depressive Disorder Practice Questions

A patient diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) must exhibit which of the following criteria for diagnosis? a) Depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure for at least one week b) Presence of at least three symptoms for at least two weeks c) Depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure for at least two weeks, along with four other symptoms d) Depressed mood with psychosis for at least six months

C

Which of the following neurotransmitters is most commonly associated with the biological theory of depression? a) Dopamine b) Serotonin c) Acetylcholine d) Glutamate

B

Which treatment is reserved for patients with severe, treatment-resistant depression, catatonia, or suicidality? a) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) b) Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) c) Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) d) Light Therapy

B

Which of the following statements about suicide is true? a) Suicide is always linked to a mental health disorder. b) Suicide is a preventable public health concern. c) Women have a higher rate of suicide completion than men. d) Suicidal ideation is the same as a suicide attempt.

B

The nurse is conducting a risk assessment on a veteran patient expressing suicidal thoughts. Which factor places the patient at the highest risk for suicide? a) Having a strong support system b) Expressing vague suicidal thoughts but no plan c) Previous suicide attempt and access to firearms d) Experiencing financial difficulty but denying suicidal ideation

C

Which of the following is a primary nursing intervention for a patient at imminent risk for suicide? a) Teaching coping skills for stress management b) Assigning the patient to a private room for privacy c) Placing the patient on continuous one-to-one observation d) Encouraging the patient to journal their feelings independently

C

Which statement by a patient taking fluoxetine (Prozac) for MDD requires immediate nursing intervention? a) "I have noticed some improvement in my mood over the past few weeks." b) "I sometimes feel more energetic, but I still feel hopeless." c) "I know I shouldn’t stop taking my medication suddenly." d) "I feel fine now, so I am going to stop my medication today."

D

Which of the following are common symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)? (Select all that apply.) a) Increased energy b) Sleep disturbances c) Excessive guilt d) Increased appetite e) Suicidal ideation

B,C,E

Which nursing interventions are appropriate for a patient undergoing Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)? (Select all that apply.) a) Monitor for short-term memory loss post-procedure b) Encourage the patient to eat a full meal before treatment c) Ensure consent is obtained before the procedure d) Educate the patient that seizures are intentionally induced for therapeutic purposes e) Inform the patient that ECT is a first-line treatment for mild depression

A,C,D

Which of the following are protective factors against suicide? (Select all that apply.) a) Access to effective mental health care b) Strong social and family support c) Financial instability d) Hopelessness e) Problem-solving skills

A,B,E

A patient experiencing suicidal ideation is admitted to the hospital. Which interventions should the nurse implement? (Select all that apply.) a) Conduct frequent safety checks b) Remove objects that could be used for self-harm c) Provide a therapeutic environment with minimal supervision d) Encourage the patient to verbalize feelings e) Allow the patient unsupervised access to personal belongings

A,B,D

True or False: Suicide attempts in the hospital setting are most commonly carried out through medication overdose.

False

True or False: Men are more likely to attempt suicide, while women are more likely to complete suicide.

False

True or False: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for MDD and can be used alone or in combination with medications.

True

True or False: Veterans and individuals with a history of previous suicide attempts are at increased risk for suicide.

True

True or False: A patient with MDD who suddenly becomes happy and calm after a period of deep depression should not be considered at risk for suicide.

False

A 55-year-old male Veteran presents with depressed mood, difficulty sleeping, and recent financial stress. He states, “I just don’t see the point in going on anymore.” What is the nurse’s priority intervention? a) Encourage the patient to attend a support group b) Conduct a thorough suicide risk assessment c) Offer financial counseling resources d) Suggest he spend time with family

B

A nurse is educating a family about suicide prevention after the loss of a loved one to suicide. Which statement indicates a need for further education? a) "We should encourage open discussions about mental health." b) "We should avoid asking about suicidal thoughts because it may give someone the idea to attempt suicide." c) "We should recognize warning signs like withdrawal and hopelessness." d) "Seeking professional help is important for suicide prevention."

B

A patient who has been taking sertraline (Zoloft) for MDD reports new-onset restlessness, confusion, sweating, and muscle rigidity. What should the nurse suspect? a) Serotonin syndrome b) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome c) Hypertensive crisis d) Lithium toxicity

A

The nurse is reviewing a safety plan with a patient at risk for suicide. Which component should be included? a) A list of positive coping strategies b) Encouragement to handle crises independently c) Steps for withdrawing from social support d) A plan to avoid discussing suicidal feelings

A