MARYVILLE NURS COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
2026 QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉What are the DSM-5 symptom criteria for a diagnosis of general
anxiety disorder? Answer: excessive anxiety and worry of variety of
things for at least 6 months
◉What are the DSM-5 symptom criteria for a major depressive
disorder? Answer: Five or more symptoms including at least one
depressed mood or loss of interest present in the same two weeks
and present nearly every day
◉differential diagnoses that would mimic the symptoms of
depression? Answer: *Anxiety
*PTSD
*Substance Abuse
◉What are the risk factors for major depression? Answer: *Age
*Gender
*Personal Hx (migrains, PUD, chronic pain)
*Fx Hx (depression, suicide, alcholism, substance abuse)
,◉What are the common presenting symptoms of depression in the
geriatric patient? Answer: Somatic (general pain)
Psychology (feeling of guilt/worry, suicidal, memory)
Psychomotor (anxiety/agitation)
Vegetative (poor appitite/sleep)
◉What are the NON-pharmacologic treatments for management for
major depressive disorder? Answer: Interpersonal and cognitive
behavior therapy
◉What are the pharmacologic treatments for management for major
depressive disorder? Answer: SSRI, SNRI, TCA, MAO
◉Names of common SSRIs Answer: Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Paroxetine (paxil)
Citalopram (celexa)
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
◉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
2026 QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉What are the DSM-5 symptom criteria for a diagnosis of general
anxiety disorder? Answer: excessive anxiety and worry of variety of
things for at least 6 months
◉What are the DSM-5 symptom criteria for a major depressive
disorder? Answer: Five or more symptoms including at least one
depressed mood or loss of interest present in the same two weeks
and present nearly every day
◉differential diagnoses that would mimic the symptoms of
depression? Answer: *Anxiety
*PTSD
*Substance Abuse
◉What are the risk factors for major depression? Answer: *Age
*Gender
*Personal Hx (migrains, PUD, chronic pain)
*Fx Hx (depression, suicide, alcholism, substance abuse)
,◉What are the common presenting symptoms of depression in the
geriatric patient? Answer: Somatic (general pain)
Psychology (feeling of guilt/worry, suicidal, memory)
Psychomotor (anxiety/agitation)
Vegetative (poor appitite/sleep)
◉What are the NON-pharmacologic treatments for management for
major depressive disorder? Answer: Interpersonal and cognitive
behavior therapy
◉What are the pharmacologic treatments for management for major
depressive disorder? Answer: SSRI, SNRI, TCA, MAO
◉Names of common SSRIs Answer: Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Paroxetine (paxil)
Citalopram (celexa)
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
◉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
