SAUNDERS MENTAL HEALTH EXAM FINAL
STUDY SHEET 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ ________ are the most common psychiatric diagnoses associated
with suicide Answer: Mood disorders
-*depression is one of the most important risk factors for suicide*
◉ The primary mood disorders are: (2) Answer: 1. major depressive
disorder
2. bipolar disorder
◉ A major depressive episode lasts how long? Answer: At least *2
weeks, during which the person experiences a depressed mood or
loss of pleasure* in nearly all activities
-twice as common in women
-1.5 to 3 times greater incidence in first-degree relatives
-Decreases with age in women; increases with age in men; *highest
in single, divorced people*
-50% to 60% will suffer recurrence
-Approximately 20% will develop a chronic form of depression
,-Symptoms range from mild to severe
◉ Major depressive 7 symptoms Answer: 1. changes in eating habits,
resulting in unplanned weight gain or loss
2. hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness) or insomnia
3. impaired concentration, decision making, or problem solving
abilities
4. inability to cope with daily life
5. feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, guilt, or despair
6. thoughts of death/suicide
7. pessimistic thinking with no hope of improvement
◉ Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) Answer: *Newest
category; has the fewest side effects* making them safer for older
adults
-more compliant to treatment regimen
-insomnia decreases in 3-4 days
-appetite returns to normal in 5-7 days
-energy returns in 4-7 days
-mood, concentration, & interest in life improve in 7-10 days
,◉ 5 SSRI antidepressants names & nursing considerations Answer:
1. fluoxetine (prozac)
-HA, nervousness, anxiety, sedation, tremor, sexual dysfunction,
anorexia, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss
-*administer in AM if nervous; PM if drowsy*
-*monitor for hyponatremia*
-encourage fluids
-report sexual difficulties
2. sertraline (zoloft)
-dizziness, sedation, HA, insomnia, tremor, sexual dysfunction,
diarrhea, dry mouth/throat, NV, sweating
-*admin in PM if drowsy*
-sugar free beverages & hard candy; drink adequate fluids
-*monitor for hyponatremia*
-report sexual difficulties
3. paroxetine (paxil)
-dizziness, sedation, HA, insomnia, weakness, fatigue, constipation,
dry mouth/throat, NVD, sweating
-*admin with food*
-*admin in PM if drowsy*
-encourage sugar free hard candy or beverages
, -adequate fluids
4. Citalopram (celexa)
-drowsiness, sedation, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, weight gain,
constipation, diarrhea
-*monitor for hyponatremia*
-*admin with food at 6 PM or later*
-promote nutrition & exercise
5. escitalopram (lexapro)
-drowsiness, dizziness, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, restlessness,
dry mouth, HA, nausea, diarrhea
-*check orthostatic BP*
-assist to rise slowly
-sugar free beverages & hard candy
-*admin with food*
◉ Cyclic antidepressants Answer: *Oldest antidepressants*
-takes *6 weeks to reach full effect*
-lag period of 1-4 weeks before steady plasma levels are reached &
symptoms begin to decrease
-*cost less* bc they have been around longer
STUDY SHEET 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ ________ are the most common psychiatric diagnoses associated
with suicide Answer: Mood disorders
-*depression is one of the most important risk factors for suicide*
◉ The primary mood disorders are: (2) Answer: 1. major depressive
disorder
2. bipolar disorder
◉ A major depressive episode lasts how long? Answer: At least *2
weeks, during which the person experiences a depressed mood or
loss of pleasure* in nearly all activities
-twice as common in women
-1.5 to 3 times greater incidence in first-degree relatives
-Decreases with age in women; increases with age in men; *highest
in single, divorced people*
-50% to 60% will suffer recurrence
-Approximately 20% will develop a chronic form of depression
,-Symptoms range from mild to severe
◉ Major depressive 7 symptoms Answer: 1. changes in eating habits,
resulting in unplanned weight gain or loss
2. hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness) or insomnia
3. impaired concentration, decision making, or problem solving
abilities
4. inability to cope with daily life
5. feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, guilt, or despair
6. thoughts of death/suicide
7. pessimistic thinking with no hope of improvement
◉ Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) Answer: *Newest
category; has the fewest side effects* making them safer for older
adults
-more compliant to treatment regimen
-insomnia decreases in 3-4 days
-appetite returns to normal in 5-7 days
-energy returns in 4-7 days
-mood, concentration, & interest in life improve in 7-10 days
,◉ 5 SSRI antidepressants names & nursing considerations Answer:
1. fluoxetine (prozac)
-HA, nervousness, anxiety, sedation, tremor, sexual dysfunction,
anorexia, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss
-*administer in AM if nervous; PM if drowsy*
-*monitor for hyponatremia*
-encourage fluids
-report sexual difficulties
2. sertraline (zoloft)
-dizziness, sedation, HA, insomnia, tremor, sexual dysfunction,
diarrhea, dry mouth/throat, NV, sweating
-*admin in PM if drowsy*
-sugar free beverages & hard candy; drink adequate fluids
-*monitor for hyponatremia*
-report sexual difficulties
3. paroxetine (paxil)
-dizziness, sedation, HA, insomnia, weakness, fatigue, constipation,
dry mouth/throat, NVD, sweating
-*admin with food*
-*admin in PM if drowsy*
-encourage sugar free hard candy or beverages
, -adequate fluids
4. Citalopram (celexa)
-drowsiness, sedation, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, weight gain,
constipation, diarrhea
-*monitor for hyponatremia*
-*admin with food at 6 PM or later*
-promote nutrition & exercise
5. escitalopram (lexapro)
-drowsiness, dizziness, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, restlessness,
dry mouth, HA, nausea, diarrhea
-*check orthostatic BP*
-assist to rise slowly
-sugar free beverages & hard candy
-*admin with food*
◉ Cyclic antidepressants Answer: *Oldest antidepressants*
-takes *6 weeks to reach full effect*
-lag period of 1-4 weeks before steady plasma levels are reached &
symptoms begin to decrease
-*cost less* bc they have been around longer
