A nurse is providing education to a group of nursing students about major depressive disorder (MDD). Which of the following statements accurately describes a characteristic of MDD?
MDD is more prevalent in older adults.
MDD is primarily caused by a single factor, such as genetics.
Anhedonia is a term that describes excessive sleeping.
MDD can be diagnosed if only one symptom is present.
The Correct Answer is A
The correct answer is choice a. MDD is more prevalent in older adults.
Choice A rationale:
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is indeed more prevalent in older adults. This demographic often faces unique stressors such as chronic illness, loss of loved ones, and social isolation, which can contribute to higher rates of depression.
Choice B rationale:
MDD is not primarily caused by a single factor. It is a complex disorder with multiple contributing factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, environmental influences, and psychological factors.
Choice C rationale:
Anhedonia refers to the loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable, not excessive sleeping. Excessive sleeping is known as hypersomnia.
Choice D rationale:
MDD cannot be diagnosed if only one symptom is present. The diagnosis requires the presence of multiple symptoms, including depressed mood or anhedonia, for at least two weeks.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Social support refers to the network of family, friends, and community that provide emotional and practical assistance. Depression can be influenced by inadequate social support, as having a strong support system can buffer against the development and exacerbation of depressive symptoms.
Choice B rationale:
Personalization involves attributing external events to oneself, often in a negative manner. While this cognitive distortion is relevant to depression, it is not mentioned in the question stem and does not directly relate to cognitive processes influenced by depression.
Choice C rationale:
Cognitive distortions are irrational and negative thought patterns that are common in depression. These distortions contribute to the maintenance of depressive symptoms. Examples include all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, and catastrophizing.
Choice D rationale:
Catastrophizing involves magnifying the negative significance of events. While it can contribute to depressive thought patterns, it is not as central to cognitive processes influenced by depression as cognitive distortions are.
Choice E rationale:
Interpersonal relationships are affected by depression and can also contribute to its development. The question does not focus on the effects of depression on relationships, but rather on the factors that can influence or be influenced by depression.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Bipolar disorder involves distinct periods of both elevated mood (mania or hypomania) and depressive episodes. The scenario describes persistent feelings of sadness, guilt, worthlessness, weight loss, and insomnia, which are characteristic symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) but not necessarily indicative of bipolar disorder.
Choice B rationale:
An adjustment disorder is characterized by emotional or behavioral symptoms that arise within three months of experiencing a stressor (e.g., a major life change or event). The persistent feelings of sadness, guilt, worthlessness, weight loss, and insomnia described in the scenario are beyond the typical time frame for an adjustment disorder.
Choice C rationale:
The correct answer. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, changes in weight or appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation or retardation, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, difficulty concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. The client's symptoms align closely with the diagnostic criteria for MDD.
Choice D rationale:
A normal response to stress usually involves transient feelings of sadness or anxiety in response to a stressor. However, the client's symptoms of persistent feelings of sadness, guilt, worthlessness, weight loss, and insomnia are indicative of a more serious and prolonged condition like major depressive disorder (MDD).
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