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FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024
NUR384 EXAM 3 BluePrint Question
and Answers
What is depression? - Ans:✔✔-Mood characterized by hopelessness, worthlessness, guilt, loss of
interest, fatigue, sleep disturbances, weight changes, psychomotor changes, difficulty concentrating, and
persistent thoughts of death.
What are the risk factors for depression? - Ans:✔✔-Family history, personal history, female gender, age
over 65, neurotransmitter deficiencies.
What are some medical contributors to depression? - Ans:✔✔-Cancer, coronary heart disease, head
injuries/trauma, PTSD, personality disorders, OCD, anxiety disorders, substance-use disorder, thyroid
dysfunction.
What are the possible causes of depression? - Ans:✔✔-Stressors such as loss, trauma, hormonal
imbalance, or stress. Faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events,
medications, and medical problems can all interact to bring on depression.
What are the symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)? - Ans:✔✔-Persistently depressed mood,
long-term loss of pleasure or interest in life, and other physiological or psychological symptoms.
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What is the acute phase of MDD treatment? - Ans:✔✔-6-12 weeks, potential need for hospitalization,
reduction of depressive manifestations, suicide risk assessment, and implementation of safety
precautions.
What is the continuation phase of MDD treatment? - Ans:✔✔-4-9 months, relapse prevention through
education, medication therapy, and psychotherapy.
What is the maintenance phase of MDD treatment? - Ans:✔✔-Can last for years, goal is prevention of
future depressive episodes.
What is Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)? - Ans:✔✔-Mild chronic depression lasting at least 2 years
with lesser symptoms than MDD.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? - Ans:✔✔-Form of depression that occurs seasonally, usually
during winter, when there is less daylight
What is the treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? - Ans:✔✔-Light therapy (1st line)
What is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)? - Ans:✔✔-Depressive disorder associated with the
luteal phase of the menstrual cycle
What is the prevalence of PMDD? - Ans:✔✔-2-6% of menstruating clients
What are the symptoms of PMDD? - Ans:✔✔-Causes problems that can be severe enough to interfere
with the ability of a client to work or interact with others
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What is Substance-Induced Depressive Disorder? - Ans:✔✔-Depression that is associated with the use of,
or withdrawal from drugs and alcohol
What are some standardized screening tools for depression? - Ans:✔✔-Hamilton Depression Scale, Beck
Depression Inventory, Geriatric Depression Scale (short form), Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Patient
Health Questionnaire
What is the most common medication class used to treat depression? - Ans:✔✔-SSRI (fluoxetine,
sertraline, citalopram)
What is the purpose of SSRI medications? - Ans:✔✔-Treatment of depression and often used in
combination with therapy
How do SSRIs function? - Ans:✔✔-Inhibit reuptake of serotonin, therefore increasing serotonin activity
What are some common side effects of SSRIs? - Ans:✔✔-Sexual dysfunction, GI upset, QT prolongation,
weight gain, insomnia, agitation, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, constipation, tremors
What are some severe side effects of SSRIs? - Ans:✔✔-Serotonin syndrome
How is serotonin syndrome managed? - Ans:✔✔-Stopping all serotonergic drugs, stabilizing vital signs,
sedating with benzodiazepines, administering cyproheptadine to block serotonin production if symptoms
persist
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What are some other common medications used to treat depression? - Ans:✔✔-TCAs (amitriptyline),
MAOIs (phenelzine), Atypical Antidepressants (bupropion)
How should TCAs be taken to minimize side effects? - Ans:✔✔-Change positions slowly to minimize
orthostatic hypotension, chew sugarless gum, eat foods high in fiber, and increase fluid intake
What should be avoided when taking MAOIs? - Ans:✔✔-Foods high in tyramine due to risk of HTN crisis
What is the purpose of Atypical Antidepressants? - Ans:✔✔-To treat depression
What are the adverse effects of SNRIs? - Ans:✔✔-Nausea, insomnia, weight gain, diaphoresis, sexual
dysfunction
What are the adverse effects of alternative therapy St. John's Wort? - Ans:✔✔-Contraindicated if taking
an SSRI, can lead to serotonin syndrome
What is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) used for? - Ans:✔✔-Treatment for treatment-resistant bipolar,
depression, and schizophrenia
What are the pre-ECT workup tests? - Ans:✔✔-Chest x-ray, ECG, CBC, BUN, urinalysis, electrolyte panel
What should be discontinued before ECT? - Ans:✔✔-Benzodiazepines
What can a client expect after waking up from ECT? - Ans:✔✔-Confusion
What should a client avoid before ECT? - Ans:✔✔-Food
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