NR 547 FINAL PMHNP EXAM UPDATE
2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Scoring Instructions. Score 1
point for each bolded answer. A score of 5 or more suggests depression.
Self-reporting tool that may be used to diagnose and treat depression
Geriatric Depression Scale - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
is a self-report measure of depression in older adults. Users respond in a "Yes/No" format. The GDS was
originally developed as a 30-item instrument. Since this version proved both time-consuming and
difficult for some patients to complete, a 15-item version was developed. The shortened form (GDS-S) is
comprised of 15 items chosen from the Geriatric Depression Scale-Long Form (GDS-L). These 15 items
were chosen because of their high correlation with depressive symptoms in previous validation studies
Geriatric Depression Scale: Targeted Population - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔he GDS may be
used with healthy, medically ill and mild to moderately cognitively impaired older adults. It has been
extensively used in community, acute care, and long-term care settings.
Scores of 0-4 are considered normal, depending on age, education, and complaints; (No Treatment)
5-8 indicate mild depression; (Pharmacologic or psychotherapeutic treatment may be indicated
Base treatment on duration of symptoms and functional impairment
9-11 indicate moderate depression; (Pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, or combination treatment
indicated)
12-15 indicate severe depression.(Pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, or combination treatment
indicated
,Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Indication for Intervention - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔The
presence of depression warrants prompt intervention and treatment. The GDS may be used to monitor
depression over time in all clinical settings.
Any positive score above 5 on the GDS Short Form should prompt an in-depth psychological assessment
and evaluation for suicidality.
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Widely used to screen for
depression and to measure behavioral manifestations and severity of depression.
The BDI can be used for ages 13 to 80. The inventory contains 21 self-report items which individuals
complete using multiple choice response formats.
The BDI takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Validity and reliability of the BDI has been tested
across populations, worldwide.
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) - correct answer
<<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Designed for use in the general population and is now used as a screener for
depression in primary care settings.
It includes 20 self-report items, scored on a 4-point scale, which measure major dimensions of
depression experienced in the past week.
The CES-D can be used for children as young as 6 and through older adulthood. It has been tested across
gender and cultural populations and maintains consistent validity and reliability. The scale takes about
20 minutes to administer, including scoring.
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔
, Mood Disorders: Depression - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Sadness, lethargy, inactivity and
feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
Genetic link
Behavioral changes: slower motor reactions
Cognitive changes: cognitive distortions
Physical changes: alters immune functioning
PQ9 Scores - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Depression Severity
5 - 9Mild
10 - 14Moderate
15 - 19Moderately Severe
20 - 27Severe
scores current depression severity and to follow up treatment response.
Depression: Anxious distress Modifier - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Depression with unusual
restlessness or worry about possible events or loss of control
Depression: Mixed features - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Simultaneous depression and
mania, which includes elevated self-esteem, talking too much and increased energy
Depression: Melancholic features - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Severe depression with lack
of response to something that used to bring pleasure and associated with early morning awakening,
worsened mood in the morning, major changes in appetite, and feelings of guilt, agitation or
sluggishness
Depression: Psychotic Features - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Depression accompanied by
delusions or hallucinations, which may involve personal inadequacy or other negative themes
2025 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Scoring Instructions. Score 1
point for each bolded answer. A score of 5 or more suggests depression.
Self-reporting tool that may be used to diagnose and treat depression
Geriatric Depression Scale - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
is a self-report measure of depression in older adults. Users respond in a "Yes/No" format. The GDS was
originally developed as a 30-item instrument. Since this version proved both time-consuming and
difficult for some patients to complete, a 15-item version was developed. The shortened form (GDS-S) is
comprised of 15 items chosen from the Geriatric Depression Scale-Long Form (GDS-L). These 15 items
were chosen because of their high correlation with depressive symptoms in previous validation studies
Geriatric Depression Scale: Targeted Population - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔he GDS may be
used with healthy, medically ill and mild to moderately cognitively impaired older adults. It has been
extensively used in community, acute care, and long-term care settings.
Scores of 0-4 are considered normal, depending on age, education, and complaints; (No Treatment)
5-8 indicate mild depression; (Pharmacologic or psychotherapeutic treatment may be indicated
Base treatment on duration of symptoms and functional impairment
9-11 indicate moderate depression; (Pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, or combination treatment
indicated)
12-15 indicate severe depression.(Pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, or combination treatment
indicated
,Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Indication for Intervention - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔The
presence of depression warrants prompt intervention and treatment. The GDS may be used to monitor
depression over time in all clinical settings.
Any positive score above 5 on the GDS Short Form should prompt an in-depth psychological assessment
and evaluation for suicidality.
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Widely used to screen for
depression and to measure behavioral manifestations and severity of depression.
The BDI can be used for ages 13 to 80. The inventory contains 21 self-report items which individuals
complete using multiple choice response formats.
The BDI takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Validity and reliability of the BDI has been tested
across populations, worldwide.
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) - correct answer
<<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Designed for use in the general population and is now used as a screener for
depression in primary care settings.
It includes 20 self-report items, scored on a 4-point scale, which measure major dimensions of
depression experienced in the past week.
The CES-D can be used for children as young as 6 and through older adulthood. It has been tested across
gender and cultural populations and maintains consistent validity and reliability. The scale takes about
20 minutes to administer, including scoring.
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔
, Mood Disorders: Depression - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Sadness, lethargy, inactivity and
feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
Genetic link
Behavioral changes: slower motor reactions
Cognitive changes: cognitive distortions
Physical changes: alters immune functioning
PQ9 Scores - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Depression Severity
5 - 9Mild
10 - 14Moderate
15 - 19Moderately Severe
20 - 27Severe
scores current depression severity and to follow up treatment response.
Depression: Anxious distress Modifier - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Depression with unusual
restlessness or worry about possible events or loss of control
Depression: Mixed features - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Simultaneous depression and
mania, which includes elevated self-esteem, talking too much and increased energy
Depression: Melancholic features - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Severe depression with lack
of response to something that used to bring pleasure and associated with early morning awakening,
worsened mood in the morning, major changes in appetite, and feelings of guilt, agitation or
sluggishness
Depression: Psychotic Features - correct answer <<<<<💕💕💕✔✔Depression accompanied by
delusions or hallucinations, which may involve personal inadequacy or other negative themes
