Depression

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Question 1:

A nurse is assessing an older adult client who has depression. Which of the following symptoms would the nurse expect to find? (Select all that apply.).

Explanation

The correct answer isB, C, D, and E.

These are common symptoms of depression in older adults, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

Choice A is wrong becauseincreased appetite and weight gainare not typical signs of depression in older adults.In fact,decreased appetite and weight lossare more likely to occur in depressed older adults.

Normal ranges for appetite and weight vary depending on the individual’s height, body mass index, health status, and dietary needs.However, a general guideline is that older adults should consume about 30 calories per kilogram of body weight per day, and maintain a healthy weight that is neither too high nor too low.


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Question 2:

A nurse is planning to screen an older adult client for depression using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).

Which of the following statements is true about this tool?

Explanation

The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a screening tool used to identify symptoms of depression in older adults.

It was originally developed by J.A.Yesavage and colleagues in 1982.

It consists of questions that assess a person’s level of enjoyment, interest, social interactions, and more.

• Choice A is correct because the GDS consists of 30 yes/no questions that assess the client’s mood and cognitive function.

• Choice B is correct because the GDS has a cut-off score of 10, indicating a high risk of depression.A score of 0 to 9 indicates normal mood, while a score of 10 to 19 indicates mild depression and a score of 20 to 30 indicates severe depression.

• Choice C is correct because the GDS can be administered by the nurse, the client or a family member.

The GDS is a self-report instrument that uses a “yes/no” format, which makes it easy to complete by different people.

• Choice D is correct because the GDS takes about 15 minutes to complete and score.The GDS is a brief and simple tool that can be used in various settings, such as acute, long-term, and community settings.

• Choice E is correct because it summarizes all the previous choices.

Therefore, the GDS is a valid and reliable tool for screening depression in older adults.It has several advantages, such as being specific for psychiatric rather than somatic symptoms, being appropriate for healthy as well as medically ill adults and those with mild to moderate cognitive impairments, and being available in different forms and languages.


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Question 3:

A nurse is providing psychoeducation to an older adult client who has depression and is prescribed an antidepressant medication.

Which of the following statements should the nurse include?

Explanation

The correct answer isE.

All of the above.

Here is why:.

• Choice A is wrong because antidepressant medications usually takeseveral weeksto show their full effects on mood and functioning.

Telling the client that they should start feeling better within a few days might create unrealistic expectations and discourage adherence to the treatment plan.

• Choice B is correct because alcohol can interact with antidepressant medications and cause adverse effects such as increased sedation, impaired coordination, increased risk of bleeding, and decreased effectiveness of the medication.

The client should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication to prevent these complications and optimize their recovery.

• Choice C is correct because stopping antidepressant medications abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, headache, dizziness, anxiety, and mood swings.

The client should not stop taking this medication without consulting their doctor, who can advise them on how to taper off the medication safely and monitor their response.

• Choice D is correct because some antidepressant medications can cause stomach upset, nausea, or vomiting as side effects.

The client should take this medication with food to prevent or reduce these symptoms and improve their tolerance of the medication.

Therefore, the nurse should include all of these statements when providing psychoeducation to the client who has depression and is prescribed an antidepressant medication.


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Question 4:

A nurse is providing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to an older adult client who has depression.“I can challenge my negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones.”.

Which of the following statements by the client indicates a positive outcome of the therapy?

Explanation

The correct answer isE.

All of the above.Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps you recognize and replace negative or unhelpful thought and behavior patterns that contribute to depression.CBT involves practical problem-solving and homework assignments to help you cope with or recover from challenging mental health conditions.

Some of the skills that CBT teaches you are:.

• Challenging your negative thoughts and replacing them with more realistic ones.This can help you reduce the cognitive distortions that make you feel hopeless, worthless, or guilty.

• Identifying the triggers that make you feel depressed and avoiding them.This can help you reduce the exposure to stressful or harmful situations that worsen your mood.

• Expressing your feelings and needs to others in a respectful way.This can help you improve your communication and interpersonal skills, and increase your social support.

• Setting realistic goals and rewarding yourself for achieving them.This can help you increase your motivation, self-esteem, and sense of accomplishment.

Choice A is wrong because it is only one of the skills that CBT teaches you, not the only one.

Choice B is wrong for the same reason.

Choice C is wrong for the same reason.

Choice D is wrong for the same reason.

Choice E is correct because it includes all of the skills that CBT teaches you.

Normal ranges for depression are not applicable here, as depression is not measured by a single scale or test.

However, some of the common tools that are used to assess depression are:.

• The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), which ranges from 0 (no depression) to 52 (severe depression).

• The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), which ranges from 0 (no depression) to 63 (extreme depression).

• The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), which ranges from 0 (no depression) to 27 (severe depression).

A. “I can challenge my negative thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones.” B.

“I can identify the triggers that make me feel depressed and avoid them.” C.

“I can express my feelings and needs to others in a respectful way.” D.

“I can set realistic goals and reward myself for achieving them.” E.

All of the above


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Question 5:

A nurse is providing social support and counseling to an older adult client who has depression and lives alone.

Which of the following interventions would be most appropriate for the nurse to implement?

Explanation

The correct answer isE.

All of the above.

Here is why:.

• Encouraging the client to join a support group or a community center for older adults is an appropriate intervention because it can help the client reduce social isolation, increase social support, and enhance self-esteem and coping skills.

• Arranging for home health care services or respite care for the client is an appropriate intervention because it can help the client maintain independence, safety, and quality of life at home, as well as provide relief for caregivers who may be stressed or overwhelmed.

• Educating the client about the signs and symptoms of depression and when to seek help is an appropriate intervention because it can help the client recognize and monitor their own mental health status, increase their awareness of available resources, and empower them to seek professional help when needed.

• Referring the client to a psychiatrist or a psychologist for further evaluation and treatment is an appropriate intervention because it can help the client access evidence-based pharmacological and psychological therapies for depression, such as antidepressant medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Choice A is wrong because it is not enough to address the multifaceted needs of older adults with depression.

Choice B is wrong because it does not address the psychological aspects of depression.

Choice C is wrong because it does not address the social aspects of depression.

Choice D is wrong because it does not address the physical aspects of depression.

Normal ranges for depression screening tools vary depending on the tool used, but generally a higher score indicates a higher risk or severity of depression.For example, on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), a score of 0 to 4 indicates normal mood, 5 to 8 indicates mild depression, 9 to 11 indicates moderate depression, and 12 or more indicates severe depression.On the Nurses’ Global Assessment of Suicide Risk (NGASR), a score of 0 to 3 indicates low risk, 4 to 6 indicates moderate risk, 7 to 9 indicates high risk, and 10 or more indicates extreme risk.


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