Question

A nurse is assessing a client for risk factors for the development of depression. The nurse should identify which of the following factors places the client at an increased risk for depression?

a.The client is married.The nurse should identify that clients who are single, not clients who are married, are at an increased risk for the development of depression.
b.The client recently received a promotion at work.The nurse should identify that the presence of a negative life event, rather than a positive one, is a risk factor for the development of depression.
c.The client has COPD.MY ANSWERThe nurse should identify that clients who have a chronic medical illness are at an increased risk for the development of depression.
d.The client is a male.The nurse should identify that clients who are female, not male, are at an increased risk for the development of depression.

Answer 1

Individuals with a chronic medical illness like COPD are at higher risk for depression, and there is significant evidence of a relationship between depression and heart disease, leading to higher mortality rates. Depression should be a consideration in health risk assessments.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should identify that clients who have a chronic medical illness, such as COPD, are at an increased risk for the development of depression. The presence of COPD and other chronic conditions can contribute to a higher risk of depression due to the ongoing physical and psychological strain associated with managing a chronic disease. Additionally, depression itself may lead to a less healthy lifestyle, which can predispose individuals to an unfavorable cardiovascular disease risk profile. The American Heart Association has recognized depression as a risk factor and recommends routine depression screening for all heart disease patients.

Research has indicated that there is a strong relationship between depression and heart disease. Depressed individuals have been shown to have an increased likelihood of developing heart disease and experience higher mortality rates than those without depression. The relationship between the two conditions is complex and involves behavioral and physiological links that increase cardiovascular risks, such as poor lifestyle choices, increased inflammation, and alterations to the autonomic nervous system.

Based on historical and recent research, it is clear that not only does depression impact heart disease, but it also should be considered when assessing an individual's overall health and potential risk factors for various conditions, including heart disease.