Question 1

A patient with depression tells the nurse,"Bad things that happen are always my fault." To assist the patient in reframing this overgeneralization,the nurse should respond:

Accepted Answer

By questioning a faulty assumption,the nurse can help the patient look at the premise more objectively and reframe it as a more accurate representation of fact.The incorrect responses cast doubt but do not require the patient to evaluate the statement.

Question 2

A nurse provided medication education for a patient who takes phenelzine (Nardil)for depression.Which behavior indicates effective learning? The patient:

Accepted Answer

Over-the-counter medicines may contain vasopressor agents or tyramine,a substance that must be avoided when the patient takes MAOI antidepressants.Medications for colds,allergies,or congestion or any preparation that contains ephedrine or phenylpropanolamine may precipitate a hypertensive crisis.MAOI antidepressant therapy is unrelated to the need for sodium limitation,support stockings,or leg elevation.MAOIs interact with tyramine-containing foods,not selenium,to produce dangerously high blood pressure.

Question 3

A nurse teaching a patient about a tyramine-restricted diet would approve which meal?

Accepted Answer

The correct answer describes a meal that contains little tyramine.Vegetables and fruits contain little or no tyramine,and fresh ground beef and apple pie should be safe.The other meals contain various amounts of tyramine-rich foods or foods that contain vasopressors: avocados,ripe bananas (banana bread),sausages and hot dogs,smoked meat (ham),cheddar cheese,yeast,caffeine drinks,and chocolate.

Question 4

When counseling patients with major depression,an advanced practice nurse will address the negative thought patterns by using:

Accepted Answer

Cognitive behavioral therapy attempts to alter the patient's dysfunctional beliefs by focusing on positive outcomes rather than negative attributions.The patient is also taught the connection between thoughts and resultant feelings.Research shows that cognitive behavioral therapy involves the formation of new connections among nerve cells in the brain and that it is at least as effective as medication.Evidence does not support superior outcomes for the other psychotherapeutic modalities mentioned.

Question 5

Which documentation indicates the treatment plan of a patient with major depression was effective?

Accepted Answer

Sleeping 6 hours,participating in a group activity,and anticipating an event are all positive happenings.All the other options show at least one negative finding.

Question 6

A patient with depression is receiving imipramine (Tofranil)200 mg every night at bedtime.Which assessment finding would prompt the nurse to collaborate with the health care provider regarding potentially hazardous side effects of this drug?

Accepted Answer

All the side effects mentioned are the result of the anticholinergic effects of the drug.Only urinary retention and severe constipation warrant immediate medical attention.Dry mouth,blurred vision,and nasal congestion may be less troublesome as therapy continues.

Question 7

A patient with depression is taking a tricyclic antidepressant.The patient says,"I don't think I can keep taking these pills.They make me so dizzy,especially when I stand up." The nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Drowsiness,dizziness,and postural hypotension usually subside after the first few weeks of therapy with tricyclic antidepressants.Postural hypotension can be managed by teaching the patient to stay well hydrated and rise slowly.Knowing these facts may be enough to convince the patient to remain medication compliant.The minor inconvenience of side effects as compared with feelings of depression is a convincing reason to remain on the medication.Withholding the drug,forcing oral fluids,and having the health care provider examine the patient are unnecessary steps.Independent nursing action is appropriate.Updating a mental status examination is unnecessary.

Question 8

A patient with depression does not interact with others except when addressed and then only in monosyllables.The nurse wants to show nonjudgmental acceptance and support for the patient.Select the nurse's most effective action.

Accepted Answer

Making observations about neutral topics such as the environment draws the patient into the reality around him or her but places no burdensome expectations on the patient for answers.Acceptance and support are shown by the nurse's presence.Direct questions may make the patient feel that the encounter is an interrogation.Open-ended questions are preferable if the patient is able to participate in dialog.Platitudes are never acceptable;they minimize patient feelings and can increase feelings of worthlessness.

Question 9

An adult with depression was treated with medication and cognitive behavioral therapy.The patient now recognizes how passivity contributed to the depression.Which intervention should the nurse suggest?

Accepted Answer

Social skills training is helpful in treating and preventing the recurrence of depression.Training focuses on assertiveness and coping skills that lead to positive reinforcement from others and the development of a patient's support system.The use of complementary therapy refers to adjunctive therapies such as herbals.Assertiveness would be of greater value than relaxation training because passivity is a concern.Desensitization is used in the treatment of phobias.

Question 10

A nurse worked with a patient with major depression who displayed severely withdrawn behavior and psychomotor retardation.After 3 weeks,the patient did not improve.The nurse is at risk for feelings of:

Accepted Answer

Nurses may have expectations for self and patients that are not wholly realistic,especially regarding the patient's progress toward health.Unmet expectations result in feelings of ineffectiveness,anger,or frustration.Nurses rarely become overinvolved with patients with depression because of the patient's resistance.Guilt and despair might be observed when the nurse experiences patient feelings because of empathy.Interest is possible but not the most likely result.

Question 11

A patient with major depression says,"No one cares about me anymore.I'm not worth anything." The nurse wants to reinforce positive self-esteem.Today,the patient is wearing a new shirt and has neat,clean hair.Which remark is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Patients with depression usually see the negative side of things.The meaning of compliments may be altered to "I didn't look nice yesterday" or "They didn't like my other shirt." Neutral comments such as an observation avoid negative interpretations.Saying "You look nice" or "I like your shirt" gives approval (nontherapeutic techniques).Saying "You must be feeling better today" is an assumption,which is nontherapeutic.

Question 12

A patient's employment is terminated and major depression results.The patient says to the nurse,"I'm not worth the time you spend with me.I'm the most useless person in the world." Which nursing diagnosis applies?

Accepted Answer

The patient's statements express feelings of worthlessness and most clearly relate to the nursing diagnosis of Situational low self-esteem.Insufficient information exists to lead to other diagnoses.

Question 13

What is the focus of priority nursing interventions for the period immediately after electroconvulsive therapy treatment?

Accepted Answer

During the immediate posttreatment period,the patient is recovering from general anesthesia,hence the need to establish and support physiologic stability.Establishing random eye movement latency is neither possible nor a priority.Reducing disorientation and confusion is an acceptable intervention but not the priority.Assisting the patient in identifying and testing negative thoughts is inappropriate in the immediate posttreatment period because the patient may be confused.

Question 14

A patient being treated for depression has taken 300 mg amitriptyline (Elavil)daily for a year.The patient calls the case manager at the clinic and says,"I stopped taking my antidepressant 2 days ago.Now I am having cold sweats,nausea,a rapid heartbeat,and nightmares." The nurse should advise the patient:

Accepted Answer

The patient has symptoms associated with abrupt withdrawal of the tricyclic antidepressant.Taking a dose of the drug will ameliorate the symptoms.Seeing the health care provider will allow the patient to discuss the advisability of going off the medication and to be given a gradual withdrawal schedule if discontinuation is the decision.This situation is not a medical emergency,although it calls for medical advice.Resuming taking the antidepressant for 2 more weeks and then discontinuing again would produce the same symptoms the patient is experiencing.

Question 15

A patient became depressed after the last of six children moved out of the home 4 months ago.The patient has been self-neglectful,slept poorly,lost weight,and repeatedly says,"No one cares about me anymore.I'm not worth anything." Select an appropriate initial outcome for the nursing diagnosis Situational low self-esteem,related to feelings of abandonment.The patient will:

Accepted Answer

Low self-esteem is reflected by making consistently negative statements about self and self-worth.Replacing negative cognitions with more realistic appraisals of self is an appropriate intermediate outcome.The incorrect options are not as clearly related to the nursing diagnosis.Outcomes are best when framed positively;identifying two personal behaviors that might alienate others is a negative concept.

Question 16

A patient with depression begins selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)antidepressant therapy,and priority information is given to the patient and family.This information should include a directive to:

Accepted Answer

Some evidence indicates that suicidal ideation may worsen at the beginning of antidepressant therapy;thus close monitoring is necessary.Avoiding exposure to bright sunlight and restricting sodium intake are unnecessary.Tyramine restriction is associated with monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)therapy.

Question 17

A patient says to the nurse,"My life doesn't have any happiness in it anymore.I once enjoyed holidays,but now they're just another day." How would the nurse document the complaint?

Accepted Answer

Anhedonia is a common finding in many types of depression and refers to feelings of a loss of pleasure in formerly pleasurable activities.Dysthymia is a diagnosis.Euphoria refers to an elated mood.Anergia means without energy.

Question 18

A priority intervention for a patient with major depression is:

Accepted Answer

Approximately two thirds of people with depression contemplate suicide.Patients with depression who exhibit feelings of worthlessness are at higher risk.Regularly planned observations of the patient with depression may prevent a suicide attempt on the unit.

Question 19

A patient became severely depressed when the last of six children moved out of the home 4 months ago.The patient repeatedly says,"No one cares about me.I'm not worth anything." Which response by the nurse would be the most helpful?

Accepted Answer

Spending time with the patient at intervals throughout the day shows acceptance by the nurse and helps the patient establish a relationship with the nurse.The therapeutic technique is called offering self.Setting definite times for the therapeutic contacts and keeping the appointments show predictability on the part of the nurse,an element that fosters the building of trust.The incorrect responses would be difficult for a person with profound depression to believe,provide trite reassurance,and are counterproductive.The patient is unable to say positive things at this point.

Question 20

A woman gave birth to a healthy newborn 1 month ago.The patient now reports she cannot cope and is unable to sleep or eat.She says,"I feel like a failure.I can't take care of my baby.This baby is the root of my problems." The priority nursing diagnosis is:

Accepted Answer

When the mother with depression of postpartum onset has ruminations or delusional thoughts about the infant,the risk for harming the infant is increased;thus it becomes the priority diagnosis.The other diagnoses are relevant but are of lower priority.

Quiz 15: Mood Disorders: Depression