NCLEX Nursing Care for Depression:
Signs, Medications, and Safety2026
Exam question and answers latest
update 2026 RATED A+
Mood - CORRECT ANSWERS The way a person feels; their internal emotional state.
Affect - CORRECT ANSWERS The observable response to a person's behavior; the outward
expression of their mood.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) - CORRECT ANSWERS This is the classic, severe form of
depression. It involves one or more major depressive episodes that last at least two weeks and cause
significant distress or impairment in social and occupational functioning.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD / Dysthymia) - CORRECT ANSWERS This is a more chronic
form of depression. The symptoms are less severe than in MDD but are present for at least two years.
SIG E CAPS - CORRECT ANSWERS A mnemonic to remember the key symptoms of a major
depressive episode.
Sleep disturbance - CORRECT ANSWERS The patient may sleep too much (hypersomnia) or
too little (insomnia).
Interest diminished - CORRECT ANSWERS There is a marked loss of interest or pleasure in
activities the person once enjoyed (anhedonia).
, Guilt - CORRECT ANSWERS The patient experiences feelings of worthlessness or excessive,
inappropriate guilt.
Energy decreased - CORRECT ANSWERS The patient reports fatigue or a significant loss of
energy (anergia).
Concentration diminished - CORRECT ANSWERS There is a reduced ability to think,
concentrate, or make decisions.
Appetite changes - CORRECT ANSWERS The patient has a significant increase or decrease in
appetite, often with corresponding weight changes.
Psychomotor changes - CORRECT ANSWERS You may observe either a slowing of movement
(retardation) or restlessness and agitation.
Suicidal thoughts - CORRECT ANSWERS The patient has recurrent thoughts of death or
suicidal ideation.
Worthlessness - CORRECT ANSWERS Feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, often
expressed in statements like, 'I am no good; I'll never amount to anything.'
Guilt (rumination) - CORRECT ANSWERS Rumination over past failings, which can become
delusional (e.g., 'I have committed terrible sins').
Helplessness - CORRECT ANSWERS A belief that usual tasks are too difficult to accomplish and
that things will never change.
Hopelessness - CORRECT ANSWERS A core characteristic of depression and a major risk factor
for suicide.
Signs, Medications, and Safety2026
Exam question and answers latest
update 2026 RATED A+
Mood - CORRECT ANSWERS The way a person feels; their internal emotional state.
Affect - CORRECT ANSWERS The observable response to a person's behavior; the outward
expression of their mood.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) - CORRECT ANSWERS This is the classic, severe form of
depression. It involves one or more major depressive episodes that last at least two weeks and cause
significant distress or impairment in social and occupational functioning.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD / Dysthymia) - CORRECT ANSWERS This is a more chronic
form of depression. The symptoms are less severe than in MDD but are present for at least two years.
SIG E CAPS - CORRECT ANSWERS A mnemonic to remember the key symptoms of a major
depressive episode.
Sleep disturbance - CORRECT ANSWERS The patient may sleep too much (hypersomnia) or
too little (insomnia).
Interest diminished - CORRECT ANSWERS There is a marked loss of interest or pleasure in
activities the person once enjoyed (anhedonia).
, Guilt - CORRECT ANSWERS The patient experiences feelings of worthlessness or excessive,
inappropriate guilt.
Energy decreased - CORRECT ANSWERS The patient reports fatigue or a significant loss of
energy (anergia).
Concentration diminished - CORRECT ANSWERS There is a reduced ability to think,
concentrate, or make decisions.
Appetite changes - CORRECT ANSWERS The patient has a significant increase or decrease in
appetite, often with corresponding weight changes.
Psychomotor changes - CORRECT ANSWERS You may observe either a slowing of movement
(retardation) or restlessness and agitation.
Suicidal thoughts - CORRECT ANSWERS The patient has recurrent thoughts of death or
suicidal ideation.
Worthlessness - CORRECT ANSWERS Feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, often
expressed in statements like, 'I am no good; I'll never amount to anything.'
Guilt (rumination) - CORRECT ANSWERS Rumination over past failings, which can become
delusional (e.g., 'I have committed terrible sins').
Helplessness - CORRECT ANSWERS A belief that usual tasks are too difficult to accomplish and
that things will never change.
Hopelessness - CORRECT ANSWERS A core characteristic of depression and a major risk factor
for suicide.
