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 – 2 Feb 2026
Concepts Covered:
- Psychological Emergencies
- Trauma-Stress Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Trauma
- Medication Administration
- Anxiety Disorders
- Developmental Considerations
- Disorders of Pancreas
- Upper GI Disorders
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Brain
- Neurological Emergencies
- Vascular Disorders
- Emergency Care of the Cardiac Patient
Study Plan Lessons
Grief and Loss
Nursing Care Plan for Compartment Syndrome
Nursing Care Plan for Amputation
Labeling (Medications, Solutions, Containers) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Medication Reconciliation Review for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)
Psychological Disorders (Anxiety, Depression) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Palliative Care for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Pancreatitis For PCCN for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
End of Life for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Seizure Disorder for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Vascular Disease for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Hypertension (Uncontrolled) and Hypertensive Crisis for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Hypertension for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
End-of-Life and Palliative Care (Organ and Tissue Donation, Advance Directives, Care Withholding, Family Presence) for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Amputation for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)