A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder begins selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant therapy. Priority information given to the patient and family should include a directive to do what?
- A. Avoid exposure to bright sunlight.
- B. Report increased suicidal thoughts.
- C. Restrict sodium intake to 1 g daily.
- D. Maintain a tyramine-free diet.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 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.
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During a psychiatric assessment, the nurse observes a patient's facial expressions that are without emotion. The patient says, 'Life feels so hopeless to me. I've been feeling sad for several months.' How should the nurse document the patient's affect and mood?
- A. Affect depressed; mood flat
- B. Affect flat; mood depressed
- C. Affect labile; mood euphoric
- D. Affect and mood are incongruent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Mood is a person's self-reported emotional feeling state. Affect is the emotional feeling state that is outwardly observable by others.
A student nurse caring for a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder reads in the patient's medical record, 'This patient shows vegetative signs of depression.' Which nursing diagnoses most clearly relate to the vegetative signs?
- A. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
- B. Chronic low self-esteem
- C. Sexual dysfunction
- D. Self-care deficit
- E. Powerlessness
- F. Insomnia
Correct Answer: A,C,D,F
Rationale: Vegetative signs of depression are alterations in the body processes necessary to support life and growth, such as eating, sleeping, elimination, and sexual activity. These diagnoses are more closely related to vegetative signs than to diagnoses associated with feelings about self.
A patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder repeatedly tells staff members, 'I have cancer. It's my punishment for being a bad person.' Diagnostic tests reveal no cancer. Select the priority nursing diagnosis.
- A. Powerlessness
- B. Risk for suicide
- C. Stress overload
- D. Spiritual distress
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A patient with depression who feels so worthless as to believe cancer is deserved is at risk for suicide. Safety concerns take priority over the other diagnoses listed.
The admission note indicates a patient diagnosed with major depressive disorder has displayed symptomology of both anergia and anhedonia. For which measures should the nurse plan?
- A. Channeling excessive energy
- B. Reducing guilty ruminations
- C. Instilling a sense of hopefulness
- D. Assisting with self-care activities
- E. Accommodating psychomotor retardation
Correct Answer: C,D,E
Rationale: Anhedonia refers to the inability to find pleasure or meaning in life; thus, planning should include measures to accommodate psychomotor retardation, assist with activities of daily living, and instill hopefulness. Anergia is the lack of energy, not excessive energy. Anhedonia does not necessarily imply the presence of guilty ruminations.
A nurse is caring for a patient with low self-esteem. Which nonverbal communication should the nurse anticipate?
- A. Arms crossed
- B. Staring at the nurse
- C. Smiling inappropriately
- D. Eyes casted downward
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nonverbal communication is usually considered more powerful than verbal communication. Downward-casted eyes suggest feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness.
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