Test your knowledge by answering these sample questions about Major Depressive Disorder:
1. Your patient is newly diagnosed with MDD. She is asking about what type of medication would be the first option for her to try. Which class of medication is typically prescribed for first-line treatment?
a. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
b. Serotonin Modulator
c. Serotonin & Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
d. Antipsychotics
2. Your patient has been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and questions what is the cause. What is the most accurate response?
a. MDD can result from lack of exercise and involvement in social activities.
b. MDD can result from increases of norepinephrine, dopamine, and/or serotonin in the brain.
c. MDD can result from reductions of norepinephrine, dopamine, and/or serotonin in the brain.
d. MDD is a sadness that only lasts about two weeks.
3. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of major depression disorder. Which client statement would describe a somatic symptom that can occur with this diagnosis?
a. “I just don’t want to eat because my stomach has been bothering me.”
b. “I am extremely sad, but I don’t know why.”
c. “I feel like I can’t ever make the right decision.”
d. “I can’t seem to leave the house without someone with me.”
4. A client is diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Which of the following nursing diagnosis should the nurse practitioner assign to this client that would address a behavioral symptom of this disorder?
a. Social isolation related to poor self-esteem as evidenced by secluding themselves in room and not attending therapeutic groups.
b. Altered nutrition: less than body requirements related to high anxiety levels as evidenced by the presence of anorexia.
c. Altered thought processes related to the presence of sadness and hopelessness as evidenced by persecutory delusions.
d. Altered communication related to feelings of worthlessness as evidence by lack of pleasure participating in her “favorite activities”.
5. A client with rule out seasonal affective disorder states, “I’ve been feeling ‘down’ for 3 months. Will I ever feel like myself again?” Which response by the nurse practitioner will best assess this client’s symptoms?
a. “Have you been diagnosed with any physical disorder within the last 3 months?”
b. “Have you experienced any traumatic events that triggered this mood change?”
c. “People who have seasonal mood changes often feel better when spring comes.”
d. “Help me understand what you mean when you say, ‘feeling down’?”