Page 1 of 96
PRIMARY CARE PSYCHIATRY, 2ND EDITION EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST
2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
PRIMARY CARE PSYCHIATRY, 2ND EDITION
By Robert M. McCarron, Glen L. Xiong, Shannon Suo, Paul Summergrad, Philip R.
Muskin, Sarah Rivelli
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
SECTION 1: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IN THE PRIMARY CARE SETTING
Questions 1–40
1. According to the textbook, what is a reported statistic about treatment for severe
mental illness?
• A) About one-quarter of all persons with severe mental illness have received no
treatment
• B) About one-half of all persons with severe mental illness have received no
treatment in the past year
• C) About three-quarters of all persons with severe mental illness receive
adequate treatment
• D) Most persons with severe mental illness receive treatment in specialty mental
health settings
Answer: B) About one-half of all persons with severe mental illness have received
no treatment in the past year
Rationale: Approximately one-half of individuals with severe mental illness receive no
treatment in the past year, highlighting the critical role of primary care in identifying and
managing psychiatric conditions.
2. The primary care psychiatric interview should begin with:
• A) A complete review of systems
• B) Establishing rapport and setting the agenda
• C) Ordering laboratory tests
, Page 2 of 96
• D) Administering a psychiatric rating scale
Answer: B) Establishing rapport and setting the agenda
Rationale: The primary care psychiatric interview begins with establishing rapport and
setting the agenda, which helps build trust and allows the patient to feel heard before
proceeding with the clinical assessment.
3. Which of the following is a key component of the collaborative care model in
primary care psychiatry?
• A) Independent practice by psychiatrists only
• B) Integrated behavioral health care with a team-based approach
• C) Exclusive use of pharmacotherapy
• D) Referral to specialty mental health for all patients
Answer: B) Integrated behavioral health care with a team-based approach
Rationale: The collaborative care model integrates behavioral health into primary care
using a team-based approach that includes primary care providers, behavioral health
care managers, and psychiatric consultants.
4. According to the textbook, the Healthy People 2020 objective regarding
depression screening aims to:
• A) Eliminate all depression in the population
• B) Increase depression screening by primary care providers
• C) Reduce the prevalence of depression by 50%
• D) Mandate depression screening for all patients
Answer: B) Increase depression screening by primary care providers
Rationale: The Healthy People 2020 objective focuses on increasing depression
screening by primary care providers to improve identification and treatment of
depression.
5. When conducting a primary care psychiatric interview, which question is most
appropriate for clarifying a patient's comment?
• A) "Why do you think you dreamed that?"
, Page 3 of 96
• B) "Can you tell me more about what you mean by 'stoned'?"
• C) "That sounds like a strange dream."
• D) "Have you used drugs in the past?"
Answer: B) "Can you tell me more about what you mean by 'stoned'?"
Rationale: Clarifying questions help the clinician understand the patient's subjective
experience without making assumptions. This open-ended approach encourages the
patient to elaborate on their meaning.
6. The collaborative care model has been shown to improve outcomes in primary
care settings for which conditions?
• A) Only depression
• B) Only anxiety disorders
• C) Depression and anxiety disorders
• D) All psychiatric disorders
Answer: C) Depression and anxiety disorders
Rationale: The collaborative care model has strong evidence for improving outcomes in
depression and anxiety disorders, which are among the most common mental health
conditions seen in primary care.
7. Which of the following is a barrier to effective mental health treatment in primary
care?
• A) Stigma associated with mental illness
• B) Lack of screening tools
• C) Over-identification of mental health conditions
• D) Excessive reimbursement for behavioral health services
Answer: A) Stigma associated with mental illness
Rationale: Stigma remains a significant barrier to mental health treatment, preventing
many patients from seeking care or disclosing symptoms.
8. Psychological and cultural considerations in primary care psychiatry include:
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• A) Only biological factors
• B) Cultural beliefs, health literacy, and patient preferences
• C) Solely the patient's symptoms
• D) Only medication adherence
Answer: B) Cultural beliefs, health literacy, and patient preferences
Rationale: Understanding psychological and cultural factors, including cultural beliefs,
health literacy, and patient preferences, is essential for providing patient-centered care
in primary care psychiatry.
9. The first step in preventive medicine and behavioral health in primary care is:
• A) Prescribing psychotropic medication
• B) Screening and risk assessment
• C) Referring to a psychiatrist
• D) Initiating psychotherapy
Answer: B) Screening and risk assessment
Rationale: Preventive medicine in behavioral health begins with screening and risk
assessment to identify patients who may benefit from early intervention.
10. In the collaborative care model, the psychiatric consultant typically:
• A) Provides direct patient care exclusively
• B) Serves as a consultant to the primary care team
• C) Replaces the primary care provider
• D) Only manages medication
Answer: B) Serves as a consultant to the primary care team
Rationale: In the collaborative care model, the psychiatric consultant provides
recommendations to the primary care team rather than providing direct patient care,
allowing for population-based management.
11. The primary care psychiatric interview should include an assessment of:
PRIMARY CARE PSYCHIATRY, 2ND EDITION EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST
2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
PRIMARY CARE PSYCHIATRY, 2ND EDITION
By Robert M. McCarron, Glen L. Xiong, Shannon Suo, Paul Summergrad, Philip R.
Muskin, Sarah Rivelli
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
SECTION 1: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IN THE PRIMARY CARE SETTING
Questions 1–40
1. According to the textbook, what is a reported statistic about treatment for severe
mental illness?
• A) About one-quarter of all persons with severe mental illness have received no
treatment
• B) About one-half of all persons with severe mental illness have received no
treatment in the past year
• C) About three-quarters of all persons with severe mental illness receive
adequate treatment
• D) Most persons with severe mental illness receive treatment in specialty mental
health settings
Answer: B) About one-half of all persons with severe mental illness have received
no treatment in the past year
Rationale: Approximately one-half of individuals with severe mental illness receive no
treatment in the past year, highlighting the critical role of primary care in identifying and
managing psychiatric conditions.
2. The primary care psychiatric interview should begin with:
• A) A complete review of systems
• B) Establishing rapport and setting the agenda
• C) Ordering laboratory tests
, Page 2 of 96
• D) Administering a psychiatric rating scale
Answer: B) Establishing rapport and setting the agenda
Rationale: The primary care psychiatric interview begins with establishing rapport and
setting the agenda, which helps build trust and allows the patient to feel heard before
proceeding with the clinical assessment.
3. Which of the following is a key component of the collaborative care model in
primary care psychiatry?
• A) Independent practice by psychiatrists only
• B) Integrated behavioral health care with a team-based approach
• C) Exclusive use of pharmacotherapy
• D) Referral to specialty mental health for all patients
Answer: B) Integrated behavioral health care with a team-based approach
Rationale: The collaborative care model integrates behavioral health into primary care
using a team-based approach that includes primary care providers, behavioral health
care managers, and psychiatric consultants.
4. According to the textbook, the Healthy People 2020 objective regarding
depression screening aims to:
• A) Eliminate all depression in the population
• B) Increase depression screening by primary care providers
• C) Reduce the prevalence of depression by 50%
• D) Mandate depression screening for all patients
Answer: B) Increase depression screening by primary care providers
Rationale: The Healthy People 2020 objective focuses on increasing depression
screening by primary care providers to improve identification and treatment of
depression.
5. When conducting a primary care psychiatric interview, which question is most
appropriate for clarifying a patient's comment?
• A) "Why do you think you dreamed that?"
, Page 3 of 96
• B) "Can you tell me more about what you mean by 'stoned'?"
• C) "That sounds like a strange dream."
• D) "Have you used drugs in the past?"
Answer: B) "Can you tell me more about what you mean by 'stoned'?"
Rationale: Clarifying questions help the clinician understand the patient's subjective
experience without making assumptions. This open-ended approach encourages the
patient to elaborate on their meaning.
6. The collaborative care model has been shown to improve outcomes in primary
care settings for which conditions?
• A) Only depression
• B) Only anxiety disorders
• C) Depression and anxiety disorders
• D) All psychiatric disorders
Answer: C) Depression and anxiety disorders
Rationale: The collaborative care model has strong evidence for improving outcomes in
depression and anxiety disorders, which are among the most common mental health
conditions seen in primary care.
7. Which of the following is a barrier to effective mental health treatment in primary
care?
• A) Stigma associated with mental illness
• B) Lack of screening tools
• C) Over-identification of mental health conditions
• D) Excessive reimbursement for behavioral health services
Answer: A) Stigma associated with mental illness
Rationale: Stigma remains a significant barrier to mental health treatment, preventing
many patients from seeking care or disclosing symptoms.
8. Psychological and cultural considerations in primary care psychiatry include:
, Page 4 of 96
• A) Only biological factors
• B) Cultural beliefs, health literacy, and patient preferences
• C) Solely the patient's symptoms
• D) Only medication adherence
Answer: B) Cultural beliefs, health literacy, and patient preferences
Rationale: Understanding psychological and cultural factors, including cultural beliefs,
health literacy, and patient preferences, is essential for providing patient-centered care
in primary care psychiatry.
9. The first step in preventive medicine and behavioral health in primary care is:
• A) Prescribing psychotropic medication
• B) Screening and risk assessment
• C) Referring to a psychiatrist
• D) Initiating psychotherapy
Answer: B) Screening and risk assessment
Rationale: Preventive medicine in behavioral health begins with screening and risk
assessment to identify patients who may benefit from early intervention.
10. In the collaborative care model, the psychiatric consultant typically:
• A) Provides direct patient care exclusively
• B) Serves as a consultant to the primary care team
• C) Replaces the primary care provider
• D) Only manages medication
Answer: B) Serves as a consultant to the primary care team
Rationale: In the collaborative care model, the psychiatric consultant provides
recommendations to the primary care team rather than providing direct patient care,
allowing for population-based management.
11. The primary care psychiatric interview should include an assessment of:
