NU 401 Exam 3 Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update 2025/2026
What is Depression? - Answers feelings of sadness and/or loss of interest in activities once
considered enjoyable
What does it mean a loss of interest in enjoyable activites? - Answers Individuals partaking in
activities that they normally enjoy but currently aren't
Who is depression most common in? - Answers more common in women than men
What can decrease depression for individuals? - Answers - marital status: single and divorced
people are more likely to experience depression than are married persons or persons with a
close interpersonal relationship
- social class: there is an inverse relationship between social class and the report of depressive
symptoms; being able to pay your bills and do enjoyable activites
- Race & Culture: no consistent relationship between race and affective disorder has been
reported; problems have been encountered in reviewing racial comparisons
What are predisposing factors to depression? - Answers biochemical influences,
neuroendocrine distrubances, biological theories, learning theory, physiological influences
What are biochemical influences for depression? - Answers deficiency of norepinephrine,
serotonin, and dopamine has been implicated; excessive cholinergic transmission may also be a
factor
What are neuroendocrine disturbances for depression? - Answers possible failure within the
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis; possibl ediminished release of thyroid-stimulating
hormone
What are biological theories for depression? - Answers genetics; hereditary factor may be
involved
What is learning theory for depression? - Answers learned helplessness, the individual who
experiences numerous failures learns to give up trying
What are physiological influences for depression? - Answers medication side effects,
neurological disorders, electrolyte disturbances,
hormonal disorders, nutritional deficiencies (ex: vit D), other physiological conditions, the role of
inflammation
What are s/sx of MDD? - Answers significant changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances
(either insomnia or hypersomnia), fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, difficulty
concentrating or making decisions, recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation & aches or
pains without a clear physcial cause
,What is the Dx processes of MDD? - Answers - at least 5 of symptoms must be present most of
the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks
- they must cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important
areas of functioning
What are depressive disorder specifiers? - Answers with anxious distress, with mixed features
(signifies the presence of at least 3 manic symptoms), with melancholic features (characterized
by profound anhedonia or lack of reactivity to positive stimuli; along with other symptoms such
as early morning awakening or significant weight loss), with atypical features (includes mood
reactivity)
What is persistent depressive disorder? - Answers a milder, but longer lasting form of
depression; characterized by a steady, low-grade depressive mood that lasts for at least two
years
What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)? - Answers a type of depression that occurs
that week before the onset of menstruation, and is marked by mood swings, irritability, and
anxiety, among other symptoms
What is perinatal mood disorder (PMD)? - Answers Encompasses both the prenatal &
postpartum period & it involves a significant depressive episode with symptoms, such as
feelings of sadness, issues bonding with the baby, appetite & sleep pattern alterations &
thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby
- really impacts the baby so we need to focus on aiding mom's health
What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)? - Answers this disorder is seen more frequently
during the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight; people with sad may experience
symptoms, such as low mood, lack of energy, increased sleep, and weight gain, which subside
during the spring and summer (small portion is flipped with sadness in the summer and relief in
the winter)
How does depression present and diagnose in children and adolescents? - Answers - May not
exhibit classic symptoms but may exhibit irritability, academic difficulties, or behavioral
problems (Cleveland Clinic, 2018); really want to look at behavioral changes and moodiness
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or conduct disorders
How does depression present and diagnose in adults? - Answers - Classic symptoms, such as
persistent sadness, anhedonia, changes in sleep and appetite, and feelings of guilt or
hopelessness (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
- Bipolar disorder and other mood-related conditions (American Psychiatric Association, 2022)
, How does depression present and diagnose in older adults? - Answers - Somatic complaints,
cognitive disturbances, or a decreased ability to function, rather than typical depressive
symptoms (Devita et al., 2022).
- Age-associated memory impairment or other neurocognitive disorders (Devita et al., 2022). In
older adults, mood disorders, such as depression, can sometimes mimic symptoms of
neurocognitive disorders.
What are some treatment approaches for depression? - Answers medications, therapy, lifestyle
treatments (nutrition, physical activity, sleep, mindfulness), light therapy (helps if you do it first
thing in the morning; happy lamps), ECT or trans-cranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
What medications can be used to treat depression? - Answers - antidepressants: SNRIs, SSRIs,
wellbutrin, miratazapine, tricyclics
- Antipsychotics (adjunctive)
- Ketamine infusion/Esketamine
What SSRIs are used for depression? - Answers fluoxetine, paroxtine, sertraline, citalopram
What SNRIs are used for depression? - Answers venlafaxine, duloxetine, desvenlafaxine
What tricyclic is used for depression? - Answers amitriptyline
What types of therapy can be used to treat depression? - Answers CBT, interpersonal therapy,
family focused therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
(MBCT), group therapy
What is the first line medication treatment for depression? - Answers SSRI; used a lot with PMD
and PMDD
What medication is good to use for depression with those who have chronic pain? - Answers
SNRI
When do you not used wellbutrin? - Answers when anxiety is a big component
What black-box warning is on all antidepressants? - Answers black-box warning for increased
risk of suicidality in children and adolescents
What is the spectrum model of mood disorders? - Answers captures individuals with atypical or
mixed features; for example an individual might exhibit symptoms of both depression and
mania but not meet the full criteria for bipolar disorder
What are some major side effects of ECT? - Answers memory loss (less when it is done
unilaterally) and headaches
What is Depression? - Answers feelings of sadness and/or loss of interest in activities once
considered enjoyable
What does it mean a loss of interest in enjoyable activites? - Answers Individuals partaking in
activities that they normally enjoy but currently aren't
Who is depression most common in? - Answers more common in women than men
What can decrease depression for individuals? - Answers - marital status: single and divorced
people are more likely to experience depression than are married persons or persons with a
close interpersonal relationship
- social class: there is an inverse relationship between social class and the report of depressive
symptoms; being able to pay your bills and do enjoyable activites
- Race & Culture: no consistent relationship between race and affective disorder has been
reported; problems have been encountered in reviewing racial comparisons
What are predisposing factors to depression? - Answers biochemical influences,
neuroendocrine distrubances, biological theories, learning theory, physiological influences
What are biochemical influences for depression? - Answers deficiency of norepinephrine,
serotonin, and dopamine has been implicated; excessive cholinergic transmission may also be a
factor
What are neuroendocrine disturbances for depression? - Answers possible failure within the
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis; possibl ediminished release of thyroid-stimulating
hormone
What are biological theories for depression? - Answers genetics; hereditary factor may be
involved
What is learning theory for depression? - Answers learned helplessness, the individual who
experiences numerous failures learns to give up trying
What are physiological influences for depression? - Answers medication side effects,
neurological disorders, electrolyte disturbances,
hormonal disorders, nutritional deficiencies (ex: vit D), other physiological conditions, the role of
inflammation
What are s/sx of MDD? - Answers significant changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances
(either insomnia or hypersomnia), fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, difficulty
concentrating or making decisions, recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation & aches or
pains without a clear physcial cause
,What is the Dx processes of MDD? - Answers - at least 5 of symptoms must be present most of
the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks
- they must cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important
areas of functioning
What are depressive disorder specifiers? - Answers with anxious distress, with mixed features
(signifies the presence of at least 3 manic symptoms), with melancholic features (characterized
by profound anhedonia or lack of reactivity to positive stimuli; along with other symptoms such
as early morning awakening or significant weight loss), with atypical features (includes mood
reactivity)
What is persistent depressive disorder? - Answers a milder, but longer lasting form of
depression; characterized by a steady, low-grade depressive mood that lasts for at least two
years
What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)? - Answers a type of depression that occurs
that week before the onset of menstruation, and is marked by mood swings, irritability, and
anxiety, among other symptoms
What is perinatal mood disorder (PMD)? - Answers Encompasses both the prenatal &
postpartum period & it involves a significant depressive episode with symptoms, such as
feelings of sadness, issues bonding with the baby, appetite & sleep pattern alterations &
thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby
- really impacts the baby so we need to focus on aiding mom's health
What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)? - Answers this disorder is seen more frequently
during the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight; people with sad may experience
symptoms, such as low mood, lack of energy, increased sleep, and weight gain, which subside
during the spring and summer (small portion is flipped with sadness in the summer and relief in
the winter)
How does depression present and diagnose in children and adolescents? - Answers - May not
exhibit classic symptoms but may exhibit irritability, academic difficulties, or behavioral
problems (Cleveland Clinic, 2018); really want to look at behavioral changes and moodiness
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or conduct disorders
How does depression present and diagnose in adults? - Answers - Classic symptoms, such as
persistent sadness, anhedonia, changes in sleep and appetite, and feelings of guilt or
hopelessness (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
- Bipolar disorder and other mood-related conditions (American Psychiatric Association, 2022)
, How does depression present and diagnose in older adults? - Answers - Somatic complaints,
cognitive disturbances, or a decreased ability to function, rather than typical depressive
symptoms (Devita et al., 2022).
- Age-associated memory impairment or other neurocognitive disorders (Devita et al., 2022). In
older adults, mood disorders, such as depression, can sometimes mimic symptoms of
neurocognitive disorders.
What are some treatment approaches for depression? - Answers medications, therapy, lifestyle
treatments (nutrition, physical activity, sleep, mindfulness), light therapy (helps if you do it first
thing in the morning; happy lamps), ECT or trans-cranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
What medications can be used to treat depression? - Answers - antidepressants: SNRIs, SSRIs,
wellbutrin, miratazapine, tricyclics
- Antipsychotics (adjunctive)
- Ketamine infusion/Esketamine
What SSRIs are used for depression? - Answers fluoxetine, paroxtine, sertraline, citalopram
What SNRIs are used for depression? - Answers venlafaxine, duloxetine, desvenlafaxine
What tricyclic is used for depression? - Answers amitriptyline
What types of therapy can be used to treat depression? - Answers CBT, interpersonal therapy,
family focused therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
(MBCT), group therapy
What is the first line medication treatment for depression? - Answers SSRI; used a lot with PMD
and PMDD
What medication is good to use for depression with those who have chronic pain? - Answers
SNRI
When do you not used wellbutrin? - Answers when anxiety is a big component
What black-box warning is on all antidepressants? - Answers black-box warning for increased
risk of suicidality in children and adolescents
What is the spectrum model of mood disorders? - Answers captures individuals with atypical or
mixed features; for example an individual might exhibit symptoms of both depression and
mania but not meet the full criteria for bipolar disorder
What are some major side effects of ECT? - Answers memory loss (less when it is done
unilaterally) and headaches
