NURS 623 PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS 2026
▶ Names of common SNRIs Answer: Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Venlafaxine (Effexor)
Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
▶ What are concerns in elderly taking medication for major depression?
Answer: a slower metabolism requires lower dosing; greater risk of falls,
osteoporosis, fractures
▶ What are the pharmacologic versus nonpharmacologic treatment for
management for general anxiety disorder? Answer: non-pharmacological
interventions of cognitive behavioral therapy has proven equal results to
SSRI pharmacologic therapy
▶ DIGFAST for bipolar because your digging yourself into hole Answer:
Distractibility
Indiscretion/Insomnia
Grandiosity
Flight of ideas
Activities ↑
Sleep Deficit
Talkativeness
,▶ What is the symptom criteria for BD I ? Answer: identification of at least
one-lifetime mania episode must have occurred
▶ What is the symptom criteria for BD II ? Answer: identification of at least
one hypomania episode and one major depressive episode must have
occurred
▶ What is the symptom criteria for diagnosing unipolar (depression)
Answer: persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities,
causing significant impairment in daily life (no mania/hypomania)
▶ How do you assess suicide risk (consider mnemonic SAD PERSONS)
Answer: S-ex
A-ge
D-epression
P-revious attempt
E-thanol abuse
R-ational thinking loss
S-ocial support loss
O-rganized plan
N-o spouse
S-ickness
, ▶ How would you identify intimate partner violence? Answer: *reluctant to
speak in front of partner
*gives evasive answers
*Overly protective or controlling partner
▶ What are the stages of grieving? (DABDA) Answer: Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
▶ What are the phases of grief? (Aca) Answer: Avoid
Confront
Accomadate
Acknowledge the loss
Reacting to the separation
Recollecting and Re-experiencing the Relationship w/deceased
▶ How would you identify intimate partner violence? Answer: 1) a patient
who is reluctant to speak in front of her partner and gives evasive answers
2) Overly protective or controlling partner
AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS 2026
▶ Names of common SNRIs Answer: Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Venlafaxine (Effexor)
Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
▶ What are concerns in elderly taking medication for major depression?
Answer: a slower metabolism requires lower dosing; greater risk of falls,
osteoporosis, fractures
▶ What are the pharmacologic versus nonpharmacologic treatment for
management for general anxiety disorder? Answer: non-pharmacological
interventions of cognitive behavioral therapy has proven equal results to
SSRI pharmacologic therapy
▶ DIGFAST for bipolar because your digging yourself into hole Answer:
Distractibility
Indiscretion/Insomnia
Grandiosity
Flight of ideas
Activities ↑
Sleep Deficit
Talkativeness
,▶ What is the symptom criteria for BD I ? Answer: identification of at least
one-lifetime mania episode must have occurred
▶ What is the symptom criteria for BD II ? Answer: identification of at least
one hypomania episode and one major depressive episode must have
occurred
▶ What is the symptom criteria for diagnosing unipolar (depression)
Answer: persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities,
causing significant impairment in daily life (no mania/hypomania)
▶ How do you assess suicide risk (consider mnemonic SAD PERSONS)
Answer: S-ex
A-ge
D-epression
P-revious attempt
E-thanol abuse
R-ational thinking loss
S-ocial support loss
O-rganized plan
N-o spouse
S-ickness
, ▶ How would you identify intimate partner violence? Answer: *reluctant to
speak in front of partner
*gives evasive answers
*Overly protective or controlling partner
▶ What are the stages of grieving? (DABDA) Answer: Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
▶ What are the phases of grief? (Aca) Answer: Avoid
Confront
Accomadate
Acknowledge the loss
Reacting to the separation
Recollecting and Re-experiencing the Relationship w/deceased
▶ How would you identify intimate partner violence? Answer: 1) a patient
who is reluctant to speak in front of her partner and gives evasive answers
2) Overly protective or controlling partner
