{"id":8108,"date":"2025-10-29T00:01:50","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T08:01:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?p=8108"},"modified":"2026-03-20T13:49:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T21:49:51","slug":"nclex-question-of-the-day-depressive-disorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-depressive-disorder","title":{"rendered":"NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question of the Day: Depressive disorder"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In This Article<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-depressive-disorder\/#The_correct_answer_to_todays_NCLEX-RN%C2%AE_Question_is%E2%80%A6\" >The correct answer to today&#8217;s NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question is&#8230;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-depressive-disorder\/#Main_Takeaway\" >Main Takeaway<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-depressive-disorder\/#Incorrect_Answer_Explanations\" >Incorrect Answer Explanations<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-depressive-disorder\/#Want_to_learn_more_about_this_topic\" >Want to learn more about this topic?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Today&#8217;s NCLEX-RN\u00ae question of the day focuses on diagnosing depression. Do you know the answer? Let&#8217;s find out!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the review of the electronic health record (EHR), the nurse notes that the patient is reporting anhedonia, among other depressive symptoms. The healthcare provider writes in the progress note that they suspect the patient has depressive disorder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders fifth edition (DSM-5) criteria, which additional finding supports this diagnosis?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A. At least one depressive episode that lasted for at least two weeks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>B. A hypomanic episode that lasted for several months<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>C. Stable mood fluctuations between episodes of depression<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>D. A hypomanic episode which lasted for several weeks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Scroll down for the correct answer!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Nurses Learn by Osmosis.org\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kGJCkPfFypA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/ultimate-guide\/nclex-rn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><u>Check out our&nbsp;NCLEX-RN Study Plan Guide!<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_correct_answer_to_todays_NCLEX-RN%C2%AE_Question_is%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>The correct answer to today&#8217;s NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question is&#8230;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A. At least one depressive episode that lasted for at least two weeks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale:<\/strong> To be diagnosed with a depressive disorder, patients must have at least one depressive episode that lasts for at least two weeks as well as five depressive symptoms, one of which should be either depressed mood or anhedonia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Main_Takeaway\"><\/span>Main Takeaway<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The diagnosis of mood disorders is based on detailed history and physical assessment. Particular attention should be given to the evaluation of suicidal thoughts. Diagnosis is confirmed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders fifth edition (DSM-5) criteria, which is a set of diagnostic criteria indicating the symptoms that must be present to diagnose a mental health condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Based on the DSM-5 criteria, mood disorders can be categorized into two broad groups, which include depressive disorders and bipolar disorders. To diagnose a depressive disorder, the patient must experience at least one depressive episode that lasts for at least two weeks and includes five depressive symptoms, one of which should be either depressed mood or anhedonia. Depressive disorders include major depressive disorder, a major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern; major depressive disorder with psychotic features; major depressive disorder with peripartum onset; depression with atypical features, and persistent depressive disorder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the patient must present at least one manic or hypomanic episode, which tends to last for several weeks or months. Typically, these episodes fluctuate with depressive episodes, and in between, the patient may even have periods of remission and stable mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Incorrect_Answer_Explanations\"><\/span>Incorrect Answer Explanations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>B. A hypomanic episode that lasted for several months<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale:<\/strong> Patients with at least one manic or hypomanic episode lasting for several months meet the DSM-5 criteria for the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, not depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>C. Stable mood fluctuations between episodes of depression<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale:<\/strong> Stable mood fluctuations between episodes of depression are not associated with a depressive disorder. However, for patients with bipolar disorder, manic episodes fluctuate with depressive episodes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>D. A hypomanic episode which lasted for several weeks<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale:<\/strong> A hypomanic episode that lasts for several weeks or months is a diagnostic criterion for bipolar disorder, not depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Want_to_learn_more_about_this_topic\"><\/span>Want to learn more about this topic?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Watch the Osmosis video:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Major_depressive_disorder\">Major depressive disorder<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/Blog_Display_Ads_RN3_2023.png?w=700\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5064\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/Blog_Display_Ads_RN3_2023.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/Blog_Display_Ads_RN3_2023.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Want more NCLEX\u00ae-style practice questions? Try Osmosis from Elsevier today! Access your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/create\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free trial<\/a>&nbsp;and find out why millions of current and future clinicians and caregivers love learning with us.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore the diagnostic criteria for depressive disorders, emphasizing episode duration and symptom patterns essential for accurate diagnosis.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":279,"featured_media":8110,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,28,29,1367,1366,32],"tags":[1677,1398,1673,1672,1679,1675,1676,1674,1609,244,1678],"class_list":["post-8108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exam-prep","category-mental-health","category-nclex","category-nclex-rn","category-questions","category-nursing","tag-anhedonia","tag-bipolar-disorder","tag-depressive-disorder","tag-dsm-5","tag-dsm-v","tag-hypomanic-episode","tag-major-depressive-disorder","tag-mental-health-nursing","tag-mood-disorders","tag-nclex-rn","tag-psychiatric-assessment"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - 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