NCA 622 Test 1 Questions with Correct Answers 100% Verified By Experts|
2025/2026 Latest Update
What must be ruled out before a mental illness is diagnosed? Rule out underlying non-
psychological medical diseases (ex. thyroid disease, dementia)
What is the most consistent sign consistent with the diagnosis of depression? Diminished
cognitive ability
What is the most common mental health problem of late life? Depression
What are signs and symptoms of vegetative major depressive disorder? Insomnia
Anorexia
Weight loss
Constipation
What are some s/s of Major depression w seasonal onset/ seasonal affective disorder? -
Depression that occurs in Fall and winter d/t decreased exposure to sun
-Carbohydrate cravings
Lethargy
-Hyperphagia
-Hypersomnia
What does bipolar disorder have a higher incidence of? hypothyroidism
What is the difference between Bipolar I and bipolar II? -Bipolar I - pt has manic episodes
-Bipolar II - pt have hypomanic episodes w/o frank mania
,What is the difference between mania and schizophrenia? -Manic people have:
-more effective interpersonal skills
-More sensitive to social maneuvers of others
-More able to utilize weakness and vulnerability in others to their own advantage
An NP is doing an assessment on a 30 yo F w suspected depression. What is most important to
ask? Have you thought of harming yourself?
A pt w a history of bipolar depression is brought to the ER by his mother d/t change in behavior.
He has been very impulsive and not sleeping for the past two weeks. What is the most
appropriate question to ask?
-How much sleep is he getting?
-What kind of impulsive behavior is he exhibiting?
-Is he still taking his bipolar meds?
-How old was he when he was diagnosed? -Is he still taking his bipolar meds?
Which statement by the NP student shows a lack of understanding of the risk factors of suicide?
-Losing one's job is a risk factor for committing suicide in a pt with depression
-Someone who feels better after starting antidepressant is not a risk of committing suicide
-Women attempt suicide at higher rates than men
-Have a chronic medical condition is a risk factor for suicide -Someone who feels better after
starting antidepressant is not a risk of committing suicide
-Men attempt suicide more and are more successful
-Elderly ppl are most successful
When choosing an antidepressant to prescribe a 50yo M w BPH, which of these should be
avoided?
-Amitriptyline (Elavil)
,-Citalopram (Celexa)
-Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
-Escitalopram (Lexapro) Amitriptyline - TCAs have anticholinergic effects
-Citalopram, escitalopram - SSRIs
-Duloxetine (cymbalta) - SNRI
Which statement by starting an MAOI shows need for education regarding the medication?
-I should not stop taking the med without talking to my doctor.
-I should take the med as prescribed
-I should not expect the med to work immediately
-I can eat red meats I can eat red meats
-MAOIs require a tyramine free diet
Which of the following medications can be used in someone w depression and sleep problems?
-Mirtazapine (Remeron)
-Trazadone (Desyrel)
-Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
-A+B A+B
-Mirtazapine (Remeron) - has a sedative effect along with trazadone
All these statements are correct regarding depression in the geriatric population, except?
-When starting a med, choose a dose that you think is right for the patient
-Loss of independence is attributed to depression
-Elderly ppl w dementia may also have depression
, -Elderly individuals w depression are more successful at committing suicide -When starting a
med, choose a dose that you think is right for the patient
-Start low
When considering medication options for treating a 40yo patient w new diagnosis of
depression and no PMH, which of these medications would you consider first?
-Lorazepam (Ativan)
-Trazodone (Desyrel)
-Citalopram (Celexa)
-Quetiapine (Seroquel) Citalopram (Celexa) - SSRI
Which population are 10x more likely to attempt suicide and the greatest population to jump
off a bridge? Schizophrenic ppl
What is the treatment for mild depression? Time and psychotherapy first!
-Unless PMH of depression in first-degree relative
What two medications are started most often for depression? -Sertraline (Zoloft) 25mg daily
- SSRI
-Venlafaxine (Effexor) 37.5mg daily - SNRI
What is the treatment of major depression w atypical features or seasonal onset? Buspar or
an SSRI (sertraline)
-MAOI can be used if above not effective
What is the treatment for Melancholic depression? ECT, TCAs, SNRIs (Venlafaxine)
2025/2026 Latest Update
What must be ruled out before a mental illness is diagnosed? Rule out underlying non-
psychological medical diseases (ex. thyroid disease, dementia)
What is the most consistent sign consistent with the diagnosis of depression? Diminished
cognitive ability
What is the most common mental health problem of late life? Depression
What are signs and symptoms of vegetative major depressive disorder? Insomnia
Anorexia
Weight loss
Constipation
What are some s/s of Major depression w seasonal onset/ seasonal affective disorder? -
Depression that occurs in Fall and winter d/t decreased exposure to sun
-Carbohydrate cravings
Lethargy
-Hyperphagia
-Hypersomnia
What does bipolar disorder have a higher incidence of? hypothyroidism
What is the difference between Bipolar I and bipolar II? -Bipolar I - pt has manic episodes
-Bipolar II - pt have hypomanic episodes w/o frank mania
,What is the difference between mania and schizophrenia? -Manic people have:
-more effective interpersonal skills
-More sensitive to social maneuvers of others
-More able to utilize weakness and vulnerability in others to their own advantage
An NP is doing an assessment on a 30 yo F w suspected depression. What is most important to
ask? Have you thought of harming yourself?
A pt w a history of bipolar depression is brought to the ER by his mother d/t change in behavior.
He has been very impulsive and not sleeping for the past two weeks. What is the most
appropriate question to ask?
-How much sleep is he getting?
-What kind of impulsive behavior is he exhibiting?
-Is he still taking his bipolar meds?
-How old was he when he was diagnosed? -Is he still taking his bipolar meds?
Which statement by the NP student shows a lack of understanding of the risk factors of suicide?
-Losing one's job is a risk factor for committing suicide in a pt with depression
-Someone who feels better after starting antidepressant is not a risk of committing suicide
-Women attempt suicide at higher rates than men
-Have a chronic medical condition is a risk factor for suicide -Someone who feels better after
starting antidepressant is not a risk of committing suicide
-Men attempt suicide more and are more successful
-Elderly ppl are most successful
When choosing an antidepressant to prescribe a 50yo M w BPH, which of these should be
avoided?
-Amitriptyline (Elavil)
,-Citalopram (Celexa)
-Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
-Escitalopram (Lexapro) Amitriptyline - TCAs have anticholinergic effects
-Citalopram, escitalopram - SSRIs
-Duloxetine (cymbalta) - SNRI
Which statement by starting an MAOI shows need for education regarding the medication?
-I should not stop taking the med without talking to my doctor.
-I should take the med as prescribed
-I should not expect the med to work immediately
-I can eat red meats I can eat red meats
-MAOIs require a tyramine free diet
Which of the following medications can be used in someone w depression and sleep problems?
-Mirtazapine (Remeron)
-Trazadone (Desyrel)
-Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
-A+B A+B
-Mirtazapine (Remeron) - has a sedative effect along with trazadone
All these statements are correct regarding depression in the geriatric population, except?
-When starting a med, choose a dose that you think is right for the patient
-Loss of independence is attributed to depression
-Elderly ppl w dementia may also have depression
, -Elderly individuals w depression are more successful at committing suicide -When starting a
med, choose a dose that you think is right for the patient
-Start low
When considering medication options for treating a 40yo patient w new diagnosis of
depression and no PMH, which of these medications would you consider first?
-Lorazepam (Ativan)
-Trazodone (Desyrel)
-Citalopram (Celexa)
-Quetiapine (Seroquel) Citalopram (Celexa) - SSRI
Which population are 10x more likely to attempt suicide and the greatest population to jump
off a bridge? Schizophrenic ppl
What is the treatment for mild depression? Time and psychotherapy first!
-Unless PMH of depression in first-degree relative
What two medications are started most often for depression? -Sertraline (Zoloft) 25mg daily
- SSRI
-Venlafaxine (Effexor) 37.5mg daily - SNRI
What is the treatment of major depression w atypical features or seasonal onset? Buspar or
an SSRI (sertraline)
-MAOI can be used if above not effective
What is the treatment for Melancholic depression? ECT, TCAs, SNRIs (Venlafaxine)
