A patient with a diagnosis of depression and suicidal ideation ...

[nummyann]

A patient with a diagnosis of depression and suicidal ideation was started on an antidepressant 1 month ago. When the patient comes to the community health clinic for a follow-up appointment he is cheerful and talkative.
 
  What priority assessment must the nurse consider for this patient?
  a. The medication dose needs to be decreased.
  b. Treatment is successful, and medication can be stopped.
  c. The patient is ready to return to work.
  d. Specific assessment for suicide plan must be evaluated.

Question 2

A patient newly diagnosed with depression states, I have had other people in my family say that they have depression. Is this an inherited problem? What is the nurse's best response?
 
  a. There are a lot of mood disorders that are caused by many different causes. Inheriting these disorders is not likely.
  b. Current research is focusing on fluid and electrolyte disorders as a cause for mood disorders.
  c. All of your family members raised in the same area have probably learned to respond to problems in the same way.
  d. Members of the same family may have the same biological predisposition to experiencing mood disorders.

[lin77x]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Energy levels increase as depression lifts; this may increase the risk of completing a suicide plan. An increase in mood would not indicate a decrease or discontinuation of prescribed medication. The patient may be ready to return to work, but assessment for suicide risk in a patient who has had suicidal ideation is the priority assessment.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Research is showing a genetic or hereditary role in the predisposition of experiencing mood disorders. These tendencies can be inherited by family members. Fluid and electrolyte imbalances cause many problems, but neurotransmitters in the brain are more directly linked to mood disorders. Mood disorders are not a learned behavior, but are linked to neurotransmitters in the brain.

[nummyann]

TYSM

[matt95]

Excellent