mental health

Question 1

Depression & Suicide

Answer 1

Clients experiencing stressful life events are
at increased risk for depression. Clients with
depression display low mood or anhedonia
(inability to experience pleasure).

Question 2

Depression & Suicide

Answer 2

If a client with depression displays a sudden
change in mood or energy, the nurse should ask
directly about suicidal ideation and plan.

Question 3

Depression & Suicide

Answer 3

If client is suicidal, the nurse should initiate 1:1
observation and remove dangerous items, such
as belts or sharps.

Question 4

Treatments

Answer 4

Antidepressant medications
Light therapy: Mimics sunlight to treat symptoms
of SAD
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) Used
for severe treatment-resistant depression
Electrical stimulation of brain  Controlled
seizure  Resets serotonin and norepinephrine
levels

Question 5

Interventions:

Answer 5

Maintain NPO status pre-procedure.
Have client void pre-procedure (prevent
incontinence).
Administer short-acting anesthetics and
muscle relaxers (prevents injury).
Monitor vital signs, ECG, and airway.
Reorient client after ECT (confusion and
short-term memory loss are common).

Question 6

SEROTONIN SYNDROME Life-threatening

Answer 6

Fever, muscle rigidity, and mental status
changes (sweating, shaking, strange behavior)
are symptoms of a potentially fatal reaction to
antidepressants known as serotonin syndrome.

Question 7

Drugs

Answer 7

Antidepressants
Selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors:
sertraline
fluoxetine
Tricyclics:
nortriptyline
amitriptyline
Monoamine oxidase
inhibitors:
phenelzine
selegiline

Question 8

Mechanism & Considerations

Answer 8

serotonin and
norepinephrine in brain
Require several weeks to
start working: Teach client
to continue medication
despite no immediate benefit.
Monitor for serotonin
syndrome
Monitor for increased
suicidality: Energy can
increase before mood improves
increase risk for suicide
(especially in children and
adolescents).