ATI LPN
Test Bank for Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice
Chapter 23 : Depression:Management of Depressive Moods and Suicidal Behavior Questions
Question 1 of 5
A client is hospitalized on a psychiatric unit secondary to a suicide attempt. He has been diagnosed with depression. He has been consistently depressed. When assessing the client, which of the following would alert the nurse that the client?s suicidal risk has worsened?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Increased feelings of depression (
A) indicate a worsening of the client?s condition, heightening suicide risk, especially given his history of a suicide attempt. Lethargy and isolation (
B) are concerning but less specific, improved mood and interaction (
C) suggest reduced risk, and stable symptoms (
D) do not indicate worsening.
Question 2 of 5
A group of nursing students is reviewing information about the epidemiology of depressive disorders. The students demonstrate understanding of the information when they identify which of the following as possible risk factors? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,E
Rationale: All options are risk factors for depression: substance abuse (
A) increases vulnerability, low social support (
B) exacerbates isolation, inadequate coping skills (
C) impair resilience, prior anxiety disorders (
D) often co-occur, and medical illnesses (E) contribute to depressive symptoms.
Question 3 of 5
A nursing instructor is preparing a class discussion about major depression. Which of the following would the instructor expect to include?
Correct Answer: C,E,F
Rationale: Older adults respond more slowly to treatment (
C) due to physiological changes, depression episodes recur more frequently over time (E) in chronic cases, and primary care is the most common treatment setting (F). Children?s depression differs (
A), mid-adolescence has high but not peak suicide risk (
B), and older adults have higher suicide rates (
D).
Question 4 of 5
After teaching a group of nursing students about the neurobiologic theories of depression, the instructor determines the need for additional teaching when the students identify which neurotransmitter as playing a role?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Norepinephrine (
B), serotonin (
C), and dopamine (
D) are implicated in depression due to their roles in mood regulation. GABA (
A) is primarily involved in anxiety and seizure disorders, not depression, indicating a misunderstanding.
Question 5 of 5
A nurse is preparing to assess a middle-aged male client who was brought to the emergency department by his wife. She reports that the client has been extremely depressed lately. When assessing this client, which of the following would be a priority assessment?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Thoughts of self-harm (
B) are the priority assessment in depression due to the risk of suicide, a life-threatening complication. Sleep changes (
A), appetite changes (
C), and fatigue (
D) are important but secondary to ensuring safety.