The nurse is receiving report on a new patient with Major Depressive Disorder, the chart states the patient has experienced “Anhedonia”. Which best describes this term?

Phenelzine (Nardil) is an MAOI; and patients prescribed this medication will not break down tyramine, therefore having increased levels of it, so they must avoid food/other drugs that are high in tyramine (such as aged cheeses and meats). Sertraline, Paroxetine, and Citalopram are all SSRIs, which do not cause increased tyramine levels.

 Patient being prescribed a new antidepressant is advised to avoid foods such as aged cheese, aged meats, and other fermented food items. What medication should the nurse expect the patient to be pres

It is normal for antidepressant medications to not exhibit their full (and noticeable) effects for 6-8 weeks after the beginning of treatment. A) is wrong because depression will never be "cured" per say. B) is wrong because abruptly stopping the medication due to unpleasant side effects could lead to more harmful reactions. And C) is wrong as having thoughts of hurting oneself is NOT a normal side effect; it has been known to occur in many cases but it is not "normal".

Once I begin feeling better, I can safely say my depression is cured.

I will stop my medication if I experience unpleasant side effects.

Having thoughts of hurting myself is a normal side effect.

It may take 6-8 weeks to feel full effect of the medication, this is normal

Which of the following statements made by a patient would indicate they do NOT need further education on their antidepressant medication regimen?

Anticonvulsant (medications used to treat seizures) are contraindicated prior to ECT treatment because the entire mechanism of ECT is to cause brief seizure activity to alter brain chemistry; so taking this medication would prevent that from occurring. Fluoxetine, Sertraline, and Duloxetine are all SSRIs and SNRI (respectively), which do not impact seizure activity. 

Which of the following medications would be contraindicated in a patient due to receive Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) treatment?

Severe, recurrent temper outbursts inconsistent with developmental level

Feelings of depression that occur for most of the day, every day.

Cluster of symptoms which appear in the week before the menstrual period.

Depressive symptoms that begin 4 weeks after the mother delivers baby.

Which of the following characteristics are consistent with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder?

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Which of the following antidepressant medications is commonly known to cause sexual dysfunction?

TMS is contraindicated in people with cochlear implants due to the magnetic force of the instruments used; they are similar to the magnetics used in MRI machines, which also are contraindicative in patients with metal implants.

71 year old male with a history of suicidal ideation.

23 year old female with no past psychiatric history.

45 year old female with cochlear implants.

19 year old male with a history of hypomania.

Which of the following patient profiles would not fit the criteria for undergoing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)?

Which of the following criteria is NOT a part of the SIGECAPS diagnostic tool for Major Depressive Disorder?

Amitriptyline (Elavil) is a Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA), which are known to cause QT prolongation and arrhythmias resulting in death.

Which of the following medications is associated with QT prolongation and sudden death arrhythmias?

A history of hypomania (or mania) in a person presenting with symptoms of depression would point toward a diagnosis of a Bipolar disorder, they would most likely not be screened for depression.

Failed Electroconvulsive therapy treatments approximately 5 years ago.

Hypomanic episode approximately 6 months ago.

Currently prescribed Lorazepam 1mg PO PRN.

States “I always feel sad, it’s pretty much my only emotion now”.

 Which of the following findings in a patient’s medical/psychiatric history would contraindicate an diagnostic assessment for Major Depressive Disorder?

Sertraline (Zoloft) is an SSRI, which is known to alter sodium levels as a result of interfering with sodium regulating hormones, this is also more critical in older adults who already have difficulty regulating fluid levels anyways. So, prior to starting this medication, the 87 year old patient would need an assessment of sodium levels.

One treatment of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).

EKG to assess for signs of QT prolongation.

Which of the following should the nurse expect to occur, prior to beginning this medication?

The collaborative team is assessing an 87 year old patient for Major Depressive Disorder and are looking at the possibility of prescribing Sertraline (Zoloft).

I will receive local aesthetic prior to the procedure.

I may feel tingling of the scalp/discomfort at the site of administration. 

This procedure will induce a brief seizure.

I will have to be admitted to hospital for this treatment.

Which of the following statements made by a patient undergoing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) would indicate a full understanding of the procedure?

The patient is then diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. What is the correct term for this situation?

An older adult who was initially diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder because of several cognitive symptoms such as difficulty concentration and agitation.

A low starting dose of a Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA).

Electroconvulsive therapy to treat suicidal thoughts.

Amitriptyline (Elavil) to treat the patients agitation.

The nurse is reviewing orders given for a patient with depression. Which of the following orders should be questioned?

A nurse is caring for a patient who repeatedly states "I hear voices of aliens trying to contact me". Which presentation of Major Depressive Disorder is this statement consistent with?