Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Mrs. Bradley is showing symptoms of which type of depression after her son's death?

1. Psychotic depression

2. Dysthymia

3. Catatonic depression

4. Adjustment disorder

The correct answer is: Adjustment disorder

The correct choice indicates that Mrs. Bradley is experiencing an adjustment disorder following her son's death. Adjustment disorder is characterized by emotional or behavioral symptoms that occur in response to a significant stressor, such as the loss of a loved one. In this case, Mrs. Bradley's grief specifically related to her son's death fits the criteria for this type of disorder. Adjustment disorders can manifest within three months of the identifiable stressor, and they might include symptoms such as sadness, anxiety, or difficulty coping, which are expected responses to loss. The symptoms tend to resolve with the passage of time or with appropriate support and intervention. While the other options describe different types of depressive disorders, they do not align as closely with the situation presented. Psychotic depression involves severe depression accompanied by psychotic features, such as hallucinations or delusions; dysthymia (now termed persistent depressive disorder) is a chronic form of depression where symptoms last for two or more years but are less severe; and catatonic depression refers to a state of motor immobility or extreme agitation associated with major depressive episodes. None of these directly correlate to the situational context of grieving a significant loss, making adjustment disorder the most applicable diagnosis in this scenario.