Chapter 16: Depressive Disorders

A nurse reviews the laboratory data of a client suspected of having the diagnosis of major depressive episode. Which lab value would potentially rule out this diagnosis? 1. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level of 25 U/mL 2. Potassium (K+) level of 4.2 mEq/L 3. Sodium (Na+) level of 140 mEq/L 4. Calcium (Ca2+) level of 9.5 mg/dL

ANS: 1 A diagnosis of major depressive episode may be ruled out if the client's lab results reveal a TSH level of 25 U/mL. Normal levels of TSH range from 2 to 10 U/mL. High levels of TSH indicate low thyroid function. The client's high TSH value may indicate hypothyroidism, which can lead to depressive symptoms. The DSM-5 criteria for the diagnosis of major depressive episode states that this diagnosis must not be attributable to the direct physiological effects of another medical condition.

A client, who is taking transdermal selegiline (Emsam) for depressive symptoms, states, "My physician told me there was no need to worry about dietary restrictions." Which would be the most appropriate nursing response? 1. "Because your dose of Emsam is 6 mg in 24 hours, dietary restrictions are not recommended." 2. "You must have misunderstood. An MAOI like Emsam always has dietary restrictions." 3. "Only oral MAOIs require dietary restrictions." 4. "All transdermal MAOIs do not require dietary modifications."

ANS: 1 Dietary restrictions at this dose are not recommended.

Immediately after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), in which position should a nurse place the client? 1. On his or her side, to prevent aspiration 2. In high Fowler's position, to prevent increased intracranial pressure 3. In Trendelenburg's position, to promote blood flow to vital organs 4. In prone position, to prevent airway blockage

ANS: 1 The nurse should place a client who has received ECT on his or her side to prevent aspiration.

A nursing instructor is teaching about the new DSM-5 diagnostic category of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD). Which of the following information should the instructor include? (Select all that apply.) 1. Symptoms include verbal rages or physical aggression toward people or property. 2. Temper outbursts must be present in at least two settings (at home, at school, or with peers). 3. DMDD is characterized by severe recurrent temper outbursts. 4. The temper outbursts are manifested only behaviorally. 5. Symptoms of DMDD must be present for 18 or more months to meet diagnostic criteria.

ANS: 1, 2, 3 The APA has included a new diagnostic category in the Depressive Disorders chapter of the DSM-5. This childhood disorder is called disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Criteria for the diagnosis include, but are not limited to, the following: verbal rages or physical aggression toward people or property.

A client is prescribed phenelzine (Nardil). Which of the following statements by the client should indicate to a nurse that the discharge teaching about this medication has been successful? (Select all that apply.) 1. "I'll have to let my surgeon know about this medication before I have my cholecystectomy." 2. "I guess I will have to give up my glass of red wine with dinner." 3. "I'll have to be very careful about reading food and medication labels." 4. "I'm going to miss my caffeinated coffee in the morning." 5. "I'll be sure not to stop this medication abruptly."

ANS: 1, 2, 3, 5 The client needs to tell other physicians about taking MAOIs, because of the risk of drug interactions. The nurse should evaluate that teaching has been successful when the client states that phenelzine should not be taken in conjunction with the use of alcohol. The nurse should evaluate that teaching has been successful when the client states that phenelzine should not be taken in conjunction with foods high in tyramine. This medication should not be stopped abruptly.

A nursing home resident has a diagnosis of dysthymic disorder. When planning care for this client, which of the following symptoms should a nurse expect the client to exhibit? (Select all that apply.) 1. Sad mood on most days 2. Mood rating of 2 out of 10 for the past 6 months 3. Labile mood 4. Sad mood for the past 3 years after spouse's death 5. Pressured speech when communicating

ANS: 1, 4 The nurse should anticipate that a client with a diagnosis of dysthymic disorder would experience a sad mood on most days for more than two years. The essential feature of dysthymia is a chronically depressed mood, which can have an early or late onset.

A client is diagnosed with major depressive episode. Which nursing diagnosis should a nurse assign to this client, to address a behavioral symptom of this disorder? 1. Altered communication R/T feelings of worthlessness AEB anhedonia 2. Social isolation R/T poor self-esteem AEB secluding self in room 3. Altered thought processes R/T hopelessness AEB persecutory delusions 4. Altered nutrition: less than body requirements R/T high anxiety AEB anorexia

ANS: 2 A nursing diagnosis of social isolation R/T poor self-esteem AEB secluding self in room addresses a behavioral symptom of major depressive episode. Other behavioral symptoms include psychomotor retardation, virtually nonexistent communication, curled-up position, and no attention to personal hygiene and grooming.

A nurse is working with a client who has just been prescribed buproprion (Wellbutrin). Which statement by the client indicates that further education is necessary? 1. "I will begin using sunblock when outdoors." 2. "If I miss a dose, I will just take two pills the next day to catch up." 3. "I will only discontinue the medication under the guidance of my physician." 4. "I will use caution when driving and using dangerous machinery."

ANS: 2 Clients should never double up on a dose if they miss a day, as this could increase the risk of seizures or other adverse reactions.

After 6 months of taking imipramine (Tofranil) for depressive symptoms, a client complains that the medication doesn't seem as effective as before. Which question should the nurse ask to determine the cause of this problem? 1. "Are you consuming foods high in tyramine?" 2. "How many packs of cigarettes do you smoke daily?" 3. "Do you drink any alcohol?" 4. "Are you taking St. John's wort?"

ANS: 2 Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant. Smoking should be avoided while receiving tricyclic therapy. Smoking increases the metabolism of tricyclics, requiring an adjustment in dosage to achieve the therapeutic effect.

A number of assessment rating scales are available for measuring severity of depressive symptoms. Which scale would a nurse practitioner use to assess a depressed client? 1. Zung Depression Scale 2. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 3. Beck Depression Inventory 4. AIMS Depression Rating Scale

ANS: 2 One of the most widely used clinician-administered scales is the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.

The severity of depressive symptoms in the postpartum period varies from a feeling of the "blues," to moderate depression, to psychotic depression or melancholia. Which disorder is correctly matched with its presenting symptoms? 1. Maternity blues (lack of concentration, agitation, guilt, and an abnormal attitude toward bodily functions) 2. Postpartum depression (irritability, loss of libido, sleep disturbances, expresses concern about inability to care for baby) 3. Postpartum melancholia (overprotection of infant, expresses concern about inability to care for baby, mysophobia) 4. Postpartum depressive psychosis (transient depressed mood, agitation, abnormal fear of child abduction, suicidal ideations)

ANS: 2 Symptoms of postpartum depression are associated with fatigue, irritability, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, loss of libido, and expressions of great concern about her inability to care for her baby.

What is the rationale for a nurse to perform a full physical health assessment on a client admitted with a diagnosis of major depressive episode? 1. The attention during the assessment is beneficial in decreasing social isolation. 2. Depression can generate somatic symptoms that can mask actual physical disorders. 3. Physical health complications are likely to arise from antidepressant therapy. 4. Depressed clients avoid addressing physical health and ignore medical problems.

ANS: 2 The nurse should determine that a client with a diagnosis of major depressive episode needs a full physical health assessment, because depression can generate somatic symptoms that can mask actual physical disorders.

A client who has been taking fluvoxamine (Luvox) without significant improvement asks a nurse, "I heard about something called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Can't my doctor add that to my medications?" Which is an appropriate nursing response? 1. "This combination of drugs can lead to delirium tremens." 2. "A combination of an MAOI and Luvox can lead to a life-threatening hypertensive crisis." 3. "That's a good idea. There have been good results with the combination of these two drugs." 4. "The only disadvantage would be the exorbitant cost of the MAOI."

ANS: 2 The nurse should explain to the client that combining an MAOI and fluvoxamine, an SSRI, can lead to a life-threatening hypertensive crisis. Symptoms of hypertensive crisis include severe occipital and/or temporal pounding headaches, with occasional photophobia, sensations of choking, palpitations, and a feeling of "dread."

An individual experiences sadness and melancholia in September continuing through November. Which of the following factors should a nurse identify as most likely to contribute to the etiology of these symptoms? (Select all that apply.) 1. Gender differences in social opportunities that occur with age 2. Drastic temperature and barometric pressure changes 3. A seasonal increase in social interactions 4. Variations in serotonergic functioning 5. Inaccessibility of resources for dealing with life stressors

ANS: 2, 3, 4 The nurse should identify drastic temperature and barometric pressure changes as contributing to the etiology of the client's symptoms. A number of studies have examined seasonal patterns associated with mood disorders and have revealed two prevalent periods of seasonal involvement: spring (March, April, May) and fall (September, October, November). Variations in serotonergic functioning are not likely to contribute to the client's sadness and melancholia.

A nurse admits an older client with memory loss, confused thinking, and apathy. A psychiatrist suspects a depressive disorder. What is the rationale for performing a mini-mental status exam? 1. To rule out bipolar disorder 2. To rule out schizophrenia 3. To rule out neurocognitive disorder 4. To rule out personality disorder

ANS: 3 A mini-mental status exam should be performed to rule out neurocognitive disorder. The client may be experiencing reversible dementia, which can occur as a result of depression.

A client who has been newly diagnosed with depression is beginning tricyclic antidepressant therapy. The nurse has just completed teaching with this client. Which statement by the client indicates the need for further education? 1. "I will continue to take this medication even if the symptoms have not subsided." 2. "I may experience drowsiness or dizziness while taking this medication." 3. "I do not need to quit smoking." 4. "I will stop drinking alcohol now that I am taking this medication."

ANS: 3 Clients should not smoke when taking this medication, as smoking increases the metabolism of tricyclic antidepressants.

The nurse educator is lecturing a group of nursing students on depression in adolescents. Which statement indicates that teaching has been effective? 1. "Adolescents are not likely to suffer from depression." 2. "Depressed adolescents always seek immediate treatment." 3. "Many symptoms are attributed to normal adjustments of adolescents." 4. "Suicide is not common among depressed adolescents."

ANS: 3 Many symptoms of depression may attributed to normal adjustments of adolescents.

A nurse administers 100 percent oxygen to a client during and after electroconvulsive therapy treatment (ECT). What is the rationale for this procedure? 1. To prevent increased intracranial pressure resulting from anoxia 2. To prevent decreased blood pressure, pulse, and respiration owing to electrical stimulation 3. To prevent anoxia resulting from medication-induced paralysis of respiratory muscles 4. To prevent blocked airway, resulting from seizure activity

ANS: 3 The nurse administers 100 percent oxygen during and after ECT to prevent anoxia resulting from medication-induced paralysis of respiratory muscles.

A depressed client reports to a nurse a history of divorce, job loss, family estrangement, and cocaine abuse. Which theoretical principle best explains the etiology of this client's depressive symptoms? 1. According to psychoanalytic theory, depression is a result of negative perceptions. 2. According to object-loss theory, depression is a result of overprotection. 3. According to learning theory, depression is a result of repeated failures. 4. According to cognitive theory, depression is a result of anger turned inward.

ANS: 3 The nurse should assess that, according to learning theory, this client's depressive symptoms may have resulted from repeated failures. The learning theory is a model of "learned helplessness" in which multiple life failures cause the client to abandon future attempts to succeed.

A client diagnosed with major depressive episode hears voices commanding self-harm. Which should be the nurse's priority intervention at this time? 1. Obtaining an order for locked seclusion until client is no longer suicidal 2. Conducting 15-minute checks to ensure safety 3. Placing the client on one-to-one observation while continuing to monitor suicidal ideations 4. Encouraging client to express feelings related to suicide

ANS: 3 The nurse's priority intervention when a depressed client hears voices commanding self-harm is to place the client on one-to-one observation while continuing to monitor suicidal ideations. By providing one-to-one observation, the nurse will be able to interrupt any attempts at suicide.

A staff nurse is counseling a depressed client. The nurse determines that the client is using the cognitive distortion of "automatic thoughts." Which client statement is evidence of the "automatic thought" of discounting positives? 1. "It's all my fault for trusting him." 2. "I don't play games. I never win." 3. "She never visits, because she thinks I don't care." 4. "I don't have a green thumb. Any old fool can grow a rose."

ANS: 4 Examples of automatic thoughts in depression include discounting positives; for example, "The other questions were so easy. Any dummy could have gotten them right."

A nurse is planning care for a 13-year-old client who is experiencing depression. Which medication is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression in adolescents? 1. Paroxetine (Paxil) 2. Sertraline (Zoloft) 3. Citalopram (Celexa) 4. Escitalopram (Lexapro)

ANS: 4 Fluoxetine (Prozac) has been approved by the FDA to treat depression in children and adolescents, and escitalopram was approved in 2009 for treatment of depression in adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. All antidepressants carry an FDA warning for increased risk of suicide in children and adolescents.

A nurse assesses a client suspected of having the diagnosis of major depressive episode. Which client symptom would rule out this diagnosis? 1. The client is disheveled and malodorous. 2. The client refuses to interact with others and isolates self in room. 3. The client is unable to feel any pleasure. 4. The client has maxed-out charge cards and exhibits promiscuous behaviors.

ANS: 4 The nurse should assess that a client who has maxed-out credit cards and exhibits promiscuous behavior is exhibiting signs of mania. The DSM-5 criteria state that there must never have been a manic episode or a hypomanic episode to meet the criteria for the diagnosis of major depressive episode.

An older client has recently been prescribed sertraline (Zoloft). The client's spouse is taking paroxetine (Paxil). A nurse assesses that the client is experiencing restlessness, tachycardia, diaphoresis, and tremors. Which complication should a nurse suspect, and why? 1. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome; caused by ingestion of two different serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) 2. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome; caused by ingestion of an SSRI and a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) 3. Serotonin syndrome; possibly caused by ingestion of an SSRI and an MAOI 4. Serotonin syndrome; possibly caused by ingestion of two different SSRIs

ANS: 4 The nurse should suspect that the client is suffering from serotonin syndrome; possibly caused by ingesting two different SSRI's (sertraline and paroxetine). Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include confusion, agitation, tachycardia, hypertension, nausea, abdominal pain, myoclonus, muscle rigidity, fever, sweating, and tremor.

When planning care for a depressed client, which correctly written outcome should be a nurse's first priority? 1. The client will promise not to physically harm self. 2. The client will discuss feelings with staff and family by day three. 3. The client will establish a trusting relationship with the nurse. 4. The client will remain safe during hospital stay.

ANS: 4 The nurse's first priority should be that the client will remain safe during the hospital stay. Client safety should always be the nurse's first priority.