NURS 384 EXAM 3 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
Major Depressive Disorder - Answers - -One of the most common psychiatric disorders
-Characterized by a persistently depressed mood lasting for a minimum of 2 weeks.
What chemical imbalances are present in MDD? - Answers - *Norepinephrine
*Dopamine
*Acetylcholine
*GABA
*Glutamate
Delusions - Answers - False beliefs
Hallucinations - Answers - false sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the
absence of an external visual stimulus
What is PDD? - Answers - Persistent Depressive Disorder
*Mild form of depression that usually has an early onset and lasts at least 2 years for
adults (1 for children
*Can become MDD later in life
*Also known as dysthymia
DSM-5 - Answers - Five or more of the following symptoms have been present during
the same 2-week period
*Depressed mood
*Loss of interest in pleasure
*Weight loss or weight gain
*Sleep disturbance
Psychomotor changes = agitation or retardation
*Fatigue
*Diminished ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions
*Recurrent thoughts of death
What are the primary risk factors for depression? - Answers - -Female gender
-Stressful life event
-First-degree family members with MDD
-Substance use
What are psychological factors of depression? - Answers - In cognition theory, the
underlying assumption is that a person's thoughts will result in emotions
Example: "I'm a failure"- negative emotions
Beck found that people with depression process information in negative ways, and tend
to ignore positive aspects of their lives
,What is a general assessment tool of depression? - Answers - PHQ-9 (The Patient
Health Questionnaire 9)
*A short inventory that highlights predominant symptoms seen in depression
What is the most dangerous aspect of MDD? - Answers - Death
What should you ask a patient with suicidal ideation? - Answers - 1. Do you want to kill
yourself?
2. Do you have a plan? (What is your plan)
3. Do you have access?
**Patient's diagnosed with MDD should ALWAYS be evaluated for suicidal ideation
Risks for Suicide - Answers - *Hopelessness
*Substance use problems
*Loss or separation
*History of past suicide attempts
*Acute suicidal ideation
What are short term goals for a patient with MDD? - Answers - 1. Patient will remain
safe while in the hospital (Observe every 15 minutes with suicidal and remove all
dangerous objects from the patient)
2. Patient expresses at least one reason to live, and this is apparent by the second day
of hospitalization (Spend regularly scheduled periods of time with patient throughout the
day)
3. Encourage appropriate expression of angry feelings
**Anger is good!
4. Accept patient's negativism (acceptance enhances feelings of self-worth)
Key assessment findings of MDD - Answers - *A depressed mood and anhedonia (loss
of pleasure) are key
symptoms in depression
*Anxiety is a common symptom of depression
What is affect? - Answers - Outward expression of emotions (Objective)
**Feelings of hopelessness and despair are readily reflected in the person's affect
**Patient may not make eye contact, may speak in a monotone voice, little or no facial
expression
Thought process of MDD - Answers - Judgement or ability to make reasonable
decisions is poor
*Leads to indecisiveness, which makes it difficult to make simple decisions such as
what to wear or what to eat
, What is anergia? - Answers - Abnormal lack of energy (Do not want to eat or move)
What is psychomotor retardation? - Answers - Slowed physical movement and slumped
posture.
**Changes in bowel habits are common (constipation)
What is psychomotor agitation? - Answers - Restlessness, pacing, finger/toe tapping
What are vegetative signs of depression? - Answers - Alterations in those activities
necessary to support physical life and growth, eating, sleeping, elimination, and sex
Second generation antipsychotics - Answers - *Risperidone
*Olanzapine
*Quetiapine
*Ziprasidone
*Clozapine
Anticonvulsants
Treats mania (slows everything down- Makes the nerve cells less excitable) - Answers -
prevent or control seizures
*Valproic Acid
*Carbamethazine
*Lamotrazine (Long term)
*Weight Gain
*Hepatotoxicity
What is a cardinal sign of depression? - Answers - Change in sleep pattern
**Total reduction in sleep, especially deep-stage sleep
Assessment Guidelines of MDD - Answers - *Always evaluate the patient's risk of harm
to self or others. (Over hostility is highly correlated with suicide)
*A thorough medical and neurological examination helps determine if the depression is
primary or secondary to another disorder (has the patient taken drugs or has a medical
condition?)
Implementation of MDD: Acute Phase - Answers - 6-12 weeks
*Directed at reduction of depressive symptoms and restoration of psychosocial and
work function
MOST DANGEROUS TIME!! (Have more energy to kill themselves)
Implementation of MDD: Continuation Phase - Answers - 4-9 months
Major Depressive Disorder - Answers - -One of the most common psychiatric disorders
-Characterized by a persistently depressed mood lasting for a minimum of 2 weeks.
What chemical imbalances are present in MDD? - Answers - *Norepinephrine
*Dopamine
*Acetylcholine
*GABA
*Glutamate
Delusions - Answers - False beliefs
Hallucinations - Answers - false sensory experiences, such as seeing something in the
absence of an external visual stimulus
What is PDD? - Answers - Persistent Depressive Disorder
*Mild form of depression that usually has an early onset and lasts at least 2 years for
adults (1 for children
*Can become MDD later in life
*Also known as dysthymia
DSM-5 - Answers - Five or more of the following symptoms have been present during
the same 2-week period
*Depressed mood
*Loss of interest in pleasure
*Weight loss or weight gain
*Sleep disturbance
Psychomotor changes = agitation or retardation
*Fatigue
*Diminished ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions
*Recurrent thoughts of death
What are the primary risk factors for depression? - Answers - -Female gender
-Stressful life event
-First-degree family members with MDD
-Substance use
What are psychological factors of depression? - Answers - In cognition theory, the
underlying assumption is that a person's thoughts will result in emotions
Example: "I'm a failure"- negative emotions
Beck found that people with depression process information in negative ways, and tend
to ignore positive aspects of their lives
,What is a general assessment tool of depression? - Answers - PHQ-9 (The Patient
Health Questionnaire 9)
*A short inventory that highlights predominant symptoms seen in depression
What is the most dangerous aspect of MDD? - Answers - Death
What should you ask a patient with suicidal ideation? - Answers - 1. Do you want to kill
yourself?
2. Do you have a plan? (What is your plan)
3. Do you have access?
**Patient's diagnosed with MDD should ALWAYS be evaluated for suicidal ideation
Risks for Suicide - Answers - *Hopelessness
*Substance use problems
*Loss or separation
*History of past suicide attempts
*Acute suicidal ideation
What are short term goals for a patient with MDD? - Answers - 1. Patient will remain
safe while in the hospital (Observe every 15 minutes with suicidal and remove all
dangerous objects from the patient)
2. Patient expresses at least one reason to live, and this is apparent by the second day
of hospitalization (Spend regularly scheduled periods of time with patient throughout the
day)
3. Encourage appropriate expression of angry feelings
**Anger is good!
4. Accept patient's negativism (acceptance enhances feelings of self-worth)
Key assessment findings of MDD - Answers - *A depressed mood and anhedonia (loss
of pleasure) are key
symptoms in depression
*Anxiety is a common symptom of depression
What is affect? - Answers - Outward expression of emotions (Objective)
**Feelings of hopelessness and despair are readily reflected in the person's affect
**Patient may not make eye contact, may speak in a monotone voice, little or no facial
expression
Thought process of MDD - Answers - Judgement or ability to make reasonable
decisions is poor
*Leads to indecisiveness, which makes it difficult to make simple decisions such as
what to wear or what to eat
, What is anergia? - Answers - Abnormal lack of energy (Do not want to eat or move)
What is psychomotor retardation? - Answers - Slowed physical movement and slumped
posture.
**Changes in bowel habits are common (constipation)
What is psychomotor agitation? - Answers - Restlessness, pacing, finger/toe tapping
What are vegetative signs of depression? - Answers - Alterations in those activities
necessary to support physical life and growth, eating, sleeping, elimination, and sex
Second generation antipsychotics - Answers - *Risperidone
*Olanzapine
*Quetiapine
*Ziprasidone
*Clozapine
Anticonvulsants
Treats mania (slows everything down- Makes the nerve cells less excitable) - Answers -
prevent or control seizures
*Valproic Acid
*Carbamethazine
*Lamotrazine (Long term)
*Weight Gain
*Hepatotoxicity
What is a cardinal sign of depression? - Answers - Change in sleep pattern
**Total reduction in sleep, especially deep-stage sleep
Assessment Guidelines of MDD - Answers - *Always evaluate the patient's risk of harm
to self or others. (Over hostility is highly correlated with suicide)
*A thorough medical and neurological examination helps determine if the depression is
primary or secondary to another disorder (has the patient taken drugs or has a medical
condition?)
Implementation of MDD: Acute Phase - Answers - 6-12 weeks
*Directed at reduction of depressive symptoms and restoration of psychosocial and
work function
MOST DANGEROUS TIME!! (Have more energy to kill themselves)
Implementation of MDD: Continuation Phase - Answers - 4-9 months
