NCLEX RN Exam Practice Related

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A nurse is assessing an 82-year-old for depression, because of the client's age, the nurses' assessment should be guided by the fact that:

  • A. Sadness of mood is usually present but it is masked by other symptoms.
  • B. Impairment of cognition usually is not present.
  • C. Psychosomatic tendencies do not tend to dominate.
  • D. Antidepressant therapies are less effective in older adults.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In older adults, depression may present with atypical symptoms, such as somatic complaints or irritability, rather than overt sadness, which can mask the condition.