Which of the following is a psychological contraindication?

• A. Depression and on suppressants
• B. Anxiety and on stimulants
• C. Bipolar disorder and on suppressants
• D. Depression and on antibiotics

Answer: (A)

A psychological contraindication is a mental or emotional state that could compromise the client’s ability to understand, consent, cooperate, or cope with the procedure and aftercare. Depression fits this because it can affect judgment, motivation, and how well someone handles discomfort or follows aftercare instructions. When the client is also on CNS depressants, the combination raises safety concerns—excessive sedation, slower responses, and communication difficulties during the procedure, plus potential effects on healing and aftercare compliance. This makes the pairing a clear psychological contraindication.

The other scenarios involve factors that are less directly tied to mental state and consent. Anxiety with stimulants is manageably different in many cases and doesn’t inherently block safe treatment. Bipolar disorder with depressants isn’t a standard contraindication in the same way, and depression with antibiotics is more a medical consideration than a psychological one.