NURS-FPX 4015 ASSESSMENT 3: THE 3PS AND
MENTAL HEALTH CARE CONCEPT MAP | IVY
JACKSON MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER (MDD) |
2026 UPDATE | 100% CORRECT.
SECTION 1: MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER – DIAGNOSIS AND PRESENTATION
1. Ivy Jackson, a 61-year-old woman, presents with symptoms consistent with
Major Depressive Disorder. Which of the following BEST describes the onset of
her depressive symptoms?
A) Gradual onset over several years
B) Sudden onset without identifiable trigger
C) Onset following a significant life change—her divorce after 38 years of marriage
D) Onset following a head injury
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ivy Jackson's depressive symptoms followed a significant life event—her
separation from her husband after nearly four decades of marriage. This
emotional distress has profoundly impacted her mental well-being and aligns with
the psychosocial stressors that can precipitate MDD .
2. Which of the following is NOT a symptom reported by Ivy Jackson that aligns
with DSM-5 criteria for MDD?
A) Persistent sadness and depressed mood
B) Insomnia and weight loss
C) Fatigue and reduced motivation
D) Manic episodes and grandiosity
,Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ivy Jackson's clinical presentation includes persistent sadness,
depressed mood, insomnia, weight loss, fatigue, and reduced motivation—all of
which align with DSM-5 criteria for MDD. Manic episodes and grandiosity are NOT
symptoms of MDD; their presence would suggest bipolar disorder rather than
unipolar depression .
3. According to the DSM-5, what is the minimum duration requirement for
symptoms to be diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder?
A) Symptoms must be present for at least one week
B) Symptoms must be present for at least two weeks
C) Symptoms must be present for at least one month
D) Symptoms must be present for at least six months
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DSM-5 criteria for MDD require symptoms to be present for a
minimum of two weeks, affecting daily functioning. This duration requirement
helps distinguish MDD from transient mood changes .
4. Ivy Jackson reports "spending most of the time on bed" and having "difficulty
getting sleep." This combination of symptoms is best described as:
A) Hypersomnia and increased appetite
B) Insomnia and fatigue
C) Psychomotor agitation
D) Anhedonia and weight gain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ivy reports spending most of her time in bed (fatigue and reduced
energy) and difficulty getting sleep (insomnia). These are classic symptoms of
MDD. Hypersomnia would be excessive sleeping, not difficulty sleeping.
Psychomotor agitation involves restlessness, not withdrawal to bed .
, 5. Ivy Jackson's family history reveals which of the following that increases her
vulnerability to mood disorders?
A) History of hypertension only
B) History of depression and stroke
C) History of diabetes and obesity
D) No significant family history
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ivy's family history reveals patterns of depression and stroke, which
increase her vulnerability to mood disorders. Family history of depression is a
significant risk factor for developing MDD, as it suggests a genetic predisposition .
6. The emotional distresses that Ivy experiences following the loss of her
husband and constant fear over the future are consistent with which diagnostic
feature of MDD?
A) Manic episode
B) Psychotic features
C) Psychosocial stressors contributing to depressive episodes
D) Catatonic features
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The symptoms occurred because of psychosocial stressors and family
history that are all consistent with major depressive disorder. Marital separation is
a significant life stressor that can precipitate or exacerbate depressive episodes .
7. In MDD, a mental status examination would likely reveal:
A) Pressured speech and flight of ideas
B) Circumstantial speech with slow rate
MENTAL HEALTH CARE CONCEPT MAP | IVY
JACKSON MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER (MDD) |
2026 UPDATE | 100% CORRECT.
SECTION 1: MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER – DIAGNOSIS AND PRESENTATION
1. Ivy Jackson, a 61-year-old woman, presents with symptoms consistent with
Major Depressive Disorder. Which of the following BEST describes the onset of
her depressive symptoms?
A) Gradual onset over several years
B) Sudden onset without identifiable trigger
C) Onset following a significant life change—her divorce after 38 years of marriage
D) Onset following a head injury
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ivy Jackson's depressive symptoms followed a significant life event—her
separation from her husband after nearly four decades of marriage. This
emotional distress has profoundly impacted her mental well-being and aligns with
the psychosocial stressors that can precipitate MDD .
2. Which of the following is NOT a symptom reported by Ivy Jackson that aligns
with DSM-5 criteria for MDD?
A) Persistent sadness and depressed mood
B) Insomnia and weight loss
C) Fatigue and reduced motivation
D) Manic episodes and grandiosity
,Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ivy Jackson's clinical presentation includes persistent sadness,
depressed mood, insomnia, weight loss, fatigue, and reduced motivation—all of
which align with DSM-5 criteria for MDD. Manic episodes and grandiosity are NOT
symptoms of MDD; their presence would suggest bipolar disorder rather than
unipolar depression .
3. According to the DSM-5, what is the minimum duration requirement for
symptoms to be diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder?
A) Symptoms must be present for at least one week
B) Symptoms must be present for at least two weeks
C) Symptoms must be present for at least one month
D) Symptoms must be present for at least six months
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DSM-5 criteria for MDD require symptoms to be present for a
minimum of two weeks, affecting daily functioning. This duration requirement
helps distinguish MDD from transient mood changes .
4. Ivy Jackson reports "spending most of the time on bed" and having "difficulty
getting sleep." This combination of symptoms is best described as:
A) Hypersomnia and increased appetite
B) Insomnia and fatigue
C) Psychomotor agitation
D) Anhedonia and weight gain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ivy reports spending most of her time in bed (fatigue and reduced
energy) and difficulty getting sleep (insomnia). These are classic symptoms of
MDD. Hypersomnia would be excessive sleeping, not difficulty sleeping.
Psychomotor agitation involves restlessness, not withdrawal to bed .
, 5. Ivy Jackson's family history reveals which of the following that increases her
vulnerability to mood disorders?
A) History of hypertension only
B) History of depression and stroke
C) History of diabetes and obesity
D) No significant family history
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ivy's family history reveals patterns of depression and stroke, which
increase her vulnerability to mood disorders. Family history of depression is a
significant risk factor for developing MDD, as it suggests a genetic predisposition .
6. The emotional distresses that Ivy experiences following the loss of her
husband and constant fear over the future are consistent with which diagnostic
feature of MDD?
A) Manic episode
B) Psychotic features
C) Psychosocial stressors contributing to depressive episodes
D) Catatonic features
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The symptoms occurred because of psychosocial stressors and family
history that are all consistent with major depressive disorder. Marital separation is
a significant life stressor that can precipitate or exacerbate depressive episodes .
7. In MDD, a mental status examination would likely reveal:
A) Pressured speech and flight of ideas
B) Circumstantial speech with slow rate
