Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

When assessing a patient with major depression, the nurse should particularly ask about what aspect related to mood?

1. Physical activity levels

2. Current stressors

3. History of feeling depressed

4. Support systems

The correct answer is: History of feeling depressed

In assessing a patient with major depression, focusing on the history of feeling depressed is crucial because it helps establish the timeline and severity of the mood disorder. Understanding the patient's past experiences with depression informs the current assessment, sheds light on potential triggers, and aids in recognizing patterns or recurrences. This history can also indicate how previous episodes were managed, what treatment options were effective or ineffective, and whether there have been any changes in the patient's mental health status over time. While the other aspects may indeed be relevant to the overall assessment, they serve a different purpose. For instance, physical activity levels can indicate motivation and energy, current stressors could identify possible exacerbating factors, and support systems are vital for evaluating the patient's resources for coping. However, the history of feeling depressed provides a foundational insight into the patient's psychological state and chronicity of mood disorders, which is essential for devising an effective treatment plan.