NR 547 Differential Diagnosis in Psychiatric-Mental Health
across the Lifespan Practicum - Chamberlain
NR 547 Midterm Study Guide
1. what is the first step in creating a differential dx: R/O malingering or factitious
disorder
2. what is the second step in creating a DDx: r/o substance etiology
3. DSM 5 criteria for substance and medication induced presentation: psych
symptoms can be attributed to substance abuse use if they stop within one month
of stopping the substance
is psych symptoms persist without substances, then psych disorder is primary
if symptoms improve when substance is gone, then substance is primary
4. what is the 3rd step in creating a DDx: R/O disorder d/t a medical condition
5. rule of thumb for knowing that psych symptoms are caused by a medical
condition: -if the psych symptoms begin following onset of medical condition
1/8
-if they vary in severity with the severity of the med condition
-if they disappear when the med condition resolves
6. when does a general medical condition need to be considered in the DDx: if
the psych presentation is atypical in symptom pattern, age at onset, or course
ex: severe memory loss accompanies depression- this does not go together- could
be due to a medical issue
, 7. What is the 4th step in creating a DDx: determine the specific primary disor-
der- use the DSM 5
8. what is the 5th step in creating a DDx: differentiate adjustment disorders from
the residual other specified or unspecific disorders
9. how do you know if something is an adjustment disorder?: if symptoms
have developed as a result of maladaptive response to a psych stressor
10. how do you know if a psych dx falls under the "other specific/ unspecified"
category?: is a stressor is not responsible for the development of clinically signifi-
cant symptoms
11. what is step 6 of creating a DDx: establish a boundary with no mental disorder-
not everyone qualifies for mental dx
12. Define: DDx: choosing a single dx from among a group of competing, mutually
exclusive Dxs to best explain a given symptom presentation
13. how long should meds be continued for anxiety after remission?: 6-12
months
14. what are good characteristics of screening tools?: brief
2/8
have negative predictive value= is they screen negative, high level of confidence that
they don't have it
good sensitivity
patient administered
15. top 3 residual problems of MDD: cognitive problems, lack of energy, sleep
problems
across the Lifespan Practicum - Chamberlain
NR 547 Midterm Study Guide
1. what is the first step in creating a differential dx: R/O malingering or factitious
disorder
2. what is the second step in creating a DDx: r/o substance etiology
3. DSM 5 criteria for substance and medication induced presentation: psych
symptoms can be attributed to substance abuse use if they stop within one month
of stopping the substance
is psych symptoms persist without substances, then psych disorder is primary
if symptoms improve when substance is gone, then substance is primary
4. what is the 3rd step in creating a DDx: R/O disorder d/t a medical condition
5. rule of thumb for knowing that psych symptoms are caused by a medical
condition: -if the psych symptoms begin following onset of medical condition
1/8
-if they vary in severity with the severity of the med condition
-if they disappear when the med condition resolves
6. when does a general medical condition need to be considered in the DDx: if
the psych presentation is atypical in symptom pattern, age at onset, or course
ex: severe memory loss accompanies depression- this does not go together- could
be due to a medical issue
, 7. What is the 4th step in creating a DDx: determine the specific primary disor-
der- use the DSM 5
8. what is the 5th step in creating a DDx: differentiate adjustment disorders from
the residual other specified or unspecific disorders
9. how do you know if something is an adjustment disorder?: if symptoms
have developed as a result of maladaptive response to a psych stressor
10. how do you know if a psych dx falls under the "other specific/ unspecified"
category?: is a stressor is not responsible for the development of clinically signifi-
cant symptoms
11. what is step 6 of creating a DDx: establish a boundary with no mental disorder-
not everyone qualifies for mental dx
12. Define: DDx: choosing a single dx from among a group of competing, mutually
exclusive Dxs to best explain a given symptom presentation
13. how long should meds be continued for anxiety after remission?: 6-12
months
14. what are good characteristics of screening tools?: brief
2/8
have negative predictive value= is they screen negative, high level of confidence that
they don't have it
good sensitivity
patient administered
15. top 3 residual problems of MDD: cognitive problems, lack of energy, sleep
problems
