A nurse is assessing a 54-year-old flood victim who reports ...

[charchew]

A nurse is assessing a 54-year-old flood victim who reports having difficulty concentrating and functioning. What might the nurse ask to help evaluate whether or not the individual is suffering from depression?
 
  1. Do you feel anxious?
  2. Do you have any sleep problems?
  3. Do you have any appetite problems?
  4. Did you feel this way before the flood?

Question 2

A patient experienced a miscarriage one week ago. She reports that her husband is very supportive but she feels very sad and is not sleeping or eating well. Why would the nurse suspect that her symptoms are those of grief rather than depression?
 
  Select all that apply.
  1. The patient feels connected to others.
  2. The patient cannot experience pleasure.
  3. The symptoms are related to a specific loss.
  4. The patient is not able to function normally.
  5. The patient's symptoms are time limited.

[kalskdjl1212]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 4
Explanation: If the patient is experiencing their symptoms in response to a particular event, that is the most significant factor in establishing a differential diagnosis of grief. Anxiety, sleep problems, and appetite disturbances may be present in both grief and depression.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 1, 3, 5
Explanation: Symptoms of grief are related to a specific loss and usually time limited in their intensity. Grieving patients remain connected to others and respond to their support. The patient does not report a significant loss of her ability to experience pleasure, nor a significant reduction in her ability to function, both of which are indicative of depression.