ATI LPN
Psychiatric Nursing: Contemporary Practice 6th Edition
Chapter 23 : Depression:Management of Depressive Moods and Suicidal Behavior Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse makes a home visit to a client who has dysthymic disorder. Which of the following would the nurse expect to assess?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dysthymic disorder, now termed persistent depressive disorder, is characterized by chronic low-grade depression, with symptoms like low energy (
A) being common due to persistent fatigue and lack of motivation. Intense concentration (
B) is unlikely due to cognitive difficulties, agitation (
C) is more typical of anxiety or mixed states, and normal appetite (
D) is less common as appetite changes are frequent.
Question 2 of 5
A client has been diagnosed with major depression. The client reports that he often wakes up during the night and has trouble returning to sleep. The nurse interprets this finding as suggesting which of the following?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Middle insomnia (
D) describes difficulty staying asleep, with frequent awakenings during the night, common in major depression due to disrupted sleep architecture. Initial insomnia (
A) is trouble falling asleep, terminal insomnia (
B) is early morning awakening, and hypersomnia (
C) is excessive sleep, none of which match the client?s description.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client in the outpatient setting who has been diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Before the client is given a prescription for a tricyclic antidepressant, assessment for which of the following would be most important?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have significant cardiac side effects, including the potential to cause arrhythmias, making assessment for cardiac arrhythmia (
C) critical, especially in clients with pre-existing heart conditions. Suicide (
A) is always a concern but not specific to TCAs, hypersomnia (
B) is a symptom, and erectile dysfunction (
D) is a side effect, not a pre-treatment concern.
Question 4 of 5
A client diagnosed with major depression was prescribed imipramine (Tofranil) and has been taking this medication for 1 week. The client took his last dose of imipramine (Tofranil) at 9:00 PM. The client is scheduled to have blood drawn to monitor the medication level the next morning. The nurse should instruct the client to have his blood drawn as close as possible to which time?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
To monitor tricyclic antidepressant levels like imipramine, blood should be drawn at trough levels, typically 10?12 hours after the last dose for steady-state accuracy. A 9:00 PM dose means 6:00 AM (
A) is closest to this window. Later times (B, C,
D) are too far from the last dose.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client with major depression. The client tells the nurse that she just isn?t sure that life is worth living. The nurse documents which nursing diagnosis as the priority?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client?s statement reflects hopelessness (
B), a critical symptom of major depression linked to suicide risk, making it the priority nursing diagnosis. Low self-esteem (
A) is relevant but less urgent, anxiety (
C) is not directly indicated, and disturbed thought processes (
D) are less specific to the statement.