Psychological Disorders (Anxiety, Depression) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
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Outline
Psychological Disorders (Anxiety, Depression)
Definition/Etiology:
- Anxiety/Depression Definitions
- Depression:
- Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and/or loss of interest
- Anxiety:
- Feelings of intense, excessive, and persistent worry
- Depression:
- Will discuss causes in dialogue (physical, mental, relates to past experiences)
Pathophysiology:
- Signs/Symptoms
- Depression
- Sad
- Hopeless
- Loss of interest
- Changes to sleep (too much or too little)
- Changes to appetite (too much or too little)
- Anxiety/restlessness
- Thoughts of death/suicide
- Anxiety
- Feeling nervous/panic
- Increased heart rate
- Weak/tired/not sleeping
- Avoid things that trigger
- Depression
Noticing: Assessment & Recognizing Cues:
- Nurse’s Role
- Stay calm
- Supportive
- Decrease symptoms/triggers
- Suicide prevention
Interpreting: Analyzing & Planning:
- Safety measures: Prevent Injury
- Suicide prevention
- Ask every patient
- Identify those at risk
- Implement safety measures
Responding: Patient Interventions & Taking Action:
- Medications & Considerations
- Depression
- SSRIs
- SNRIs
- Atypical antidepressants
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- MAOIs
- Mood stabilizers
- Antipsychotics
- Anxiety
- Anti-anxiolytics
- Antidepressants
- Beta-blockers
- Considerations
- General wellness
- Pregnancy
- Sleep needs
- Avoid alcohol/drugs
- Don’t stop antidepressants abruptly
Reflecting: Evaluating Patient Outcomes:
- N/A
Linchpins (Key Points):
- Highs and Lows can be separate or intermixed
- Depression = s/s typically low
- Anxiety= a/a typically high
- Support & Safety= nurse’s role
Transcript
References
- Education Development Center. (2022). Zero suicide toolkit. https://zerosuicide.edc.org/toolkit/zero-suicide-toolkitsm.
- Mayo Clinic. (2022a). Diagnosis & treatment. Anxiety disorders. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350967.
- Mayo Clinic. (2022b). Diagnosis & treatment. Depression (major depressive disorder). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356013.
- Mayo Clinic. (2022c). Symptoms & causes. Anxiety disorders. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961.
- Mayo Clinic. (2022d). Symptoms & causes.
Adaptive Brain SIMCLEX Study Plan – 1 Feb 2026
Concepts Covered:
- Cardiac Disorders
- Emergency Care of the Cardiac Patient
- Intraoperative Nursing
- Microbiology
- Delegation
- Perioperative Nursing Roles
- Communication
- Postoperative Nursing
- Fundamentals of Emergency Nursing
- Basics of NCLEX
- Anxiety Disorders
Study Plan Lessons
Ventricular Dysrhythmias for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Atrial Dysrhythmias for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Biohazard Material Handling and Disposition (Blood, Microbiology, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Hazardous Material Handling and Disposition (Chemo, Radioactive) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Accountability and Assistance for Personal Limitations for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
HCIR Management (Healthcare Industry Representative) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Patient Status Communication for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Patient Communication Techniques for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Delegation and Personnel Management for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Wound Dressing Maintenance for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Wound Classification for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Conflict Management (Patient, Perioperative Team, Family) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Caring Practices for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Psychological Disorders (Anxiety, Depression) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Healthcare-Acquired Infections: Central-Line-Associated Infections (CLABSI) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)