Practice Question
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a group of adolescents regarding identifying behavioral indicators of depression. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Irritability
Rationale:
Irritability
🟢 Adolescent presentation – Unlike adults, adolescents often exhibit irritability rather than overt sadness as a primary mood change in depression.
🟢 Emotional dysregulation – Persistent irritability reflects frustration and difficulty managing emotions, common in depressive disorders.
🟢 Behavioral changes – This can lead to anger outbursts, conflicts with family or peers, and declining academic performance.
Decreased energy
🟢 Fatigue and psychomotor slowing – Low energy levels are classic symptoms of depression due to altered neurotransmitter activity.
🟢 Impaired functioning – Adolescents may withdraw from physical activities, sports, or hobbies they previously enjoyed.
🟢 Cognitive impact – Fatigue often contributes to poor concentration and decreased school performance.
Isolation from peers
🟢 Social withdrawal – Depressed adolescents often avoid social interactions due to feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness.
🟢 Loss of interest – Reduced participation in peer activities reflects anhedonia (loss of pleasure in previously enjoyed activities).
🟢 Risk factor – Isolation can worsen depressive symptoms and is a red flag for possible suicidal ideation.
Loneliness
🟢 Emotional symptom – Persistent feelings of loneliness indicate a lack of emotional connection, which is common in depression.
🟢 Low self-esteem – Loneliness often arises from negative self-perception and fear of rejection by peers.
🟢 Increased vulnerability – Loneliness is linked to hopelessness and may increase the risk for self-harm or suicidal behaviors if untreated.
Want to practice more questions like this?
This question is from ATI LPN Mental Health Quiz Chapter 19-24 which contains 25 questions.
More Questions from This Exam
A client continually reports physical symptoms in the absence of objective clinical findings. The nurse should suspect which of the following disorders?
Answer Choices:
The client has recently started antidepressant drug therapy. He approaches the nurse complaining of a headache, palpitations, and stiffness in the neck. What is the nurse's priority action?
Answer Choices:
Depression in adolescence usually is related to loneliness, family strengths, self-esteem, and which of the following?
Answer Choices:
The death rate from anorexia is higher than any other mental illness. Death usually results from which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
Answer Choices:
What is the main issue for adolescents with anorexia?
Answer Choices:
Question Details
- Category: LPN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: LPN ATI Exams
- Domain: Mental Health
- Answer Choices: 6