NR547 Differential Diagnosis Midterm
Exam Quiz Study Guide with Correct
Answers 100% Pass | Graded A
differential diagnosis - Answer>> The provider's initial
hypothesis
-a working list of potential problems that can be associated with
the initial or chief complaint
-Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-
TR)
• provides guidance for identifying psychiatric diagnoses
Psychiatric assessment: History taking - Answer>> -History of
Present Illness
-How long have you been feeling this way?
-Did something happen in your life that may have triggered these
emotions?
-How is this current situation impacting your life?
The Psychiatric History
-Have you ever been hospitalized for any mental health issues?
-Have you ever had counseling or psychotherapy?
-Have you ever taken medications for your mental health in the
past?
-Are you currently on any medications for mental health or sleep?
Medical History/Screening for General Medical Conditions
-Do you have a primary care provider?
,-Do you have any medical illnesses?
-Are you currently taking any medications or herbal supplements?
-Do you have any allergies to medications?
-Have you ever been hospitalized for any reason?
-Have you ever had surgery?
,Family Psychiatric History
-Has any relative of yours ever been hospitalized for a mental
health issue?
-Has any blood relative of yours ever be
Screening and Psychiatric Rating Scales - Answer>> Evidence-
based screening tools and psychiatric rating scales
-can help the provider identify symptoms and assess their severity
and can assist with the evaluation of response to treatment
A 52-year-old client presents to the emergency department
following a car accident. The emergency department (ED)
physician is concerned that the client may have intentionally
crashed her car and requests a stat PMHNP consult. In speaking
with the PMHNP, the client describes persistent feelings of
sadness and hopelessness. She states that she often wonders if
her husband would be happier if she wasn't around anymore
since she's never happy and sometimes thinks about what it
would be like to just take a handful of sleeping pills and go to
sleep forever. The client reports a previous suicide attempt when
she was 16 but denies that she is considering killing herself right
now.
Based on the client's ASQ score, what is the most appropriate
response?
No action is necessary as the client is not currently considering
suicide.
Provide a brief suicide safety assessment.
Alert the client's primary care physician.
Provide a ST - Answer>> Provide a brief suicide safety
assessment.
Rationale: While the client's responses do not indicate a need for
a stat full safety and mental health evaluation, the client requires
a brief suicide safety assessment to determine whether a full
, mental health evaluation in necessary. It is also important to notify
the client's physician or the clinician responsible for the client's
care.
Diagnostic Testing when diagnosing mental health disorders -
Answer>> -Diagnostic tests and labs are most used to rule out
physical conditions that may cause psychiatric symptoms and to
evaluate the effects of treatment
Basic Laboratory Interpretation - Answer>> Complete Blood
Count
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Thyroid Function Tests
Vitamin B12 Level
Vitamin D Level
Toxicology Screen
Urinalysis (UA)
Basic Laboratory Interpretation: Complete Blood Count -
Answer>> -measures RBCs, WBCs, hemoglobin, hematocrit,
and platelets
-includes a differential of the WBCs
-In mental health, the CBC is used to rule out medical conditions
that may present with symptoms that can be attributed to both
medical and psychiatric diagnoses
• Ex: rule out anemia as a cause for depressive symptoms and
fatigue
• Ex: rule out infection as a cause of acute mental status changes
RBCs: 4.5-6.0 million/microliter
Hemoglobin: 12-18 grams/100 mL
Hematocrit: 38%-48%
Reticulocytes: 0%-1.5%
WBCs (total): 5000-10,000/microliter
Neutrophils: 55%-70%
Exam Quiz Study Guide with Correct
Answers 100% Pass | Graded A
differential diagnosis - Answer>> The provider's initial
hypothesis
-a working list of potential problems that can be associated with
the initial or chief complaint
-Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-
TR)
• provides guidance for identifying psychiatric diagnoses
Psychiatric assessment: History taking - Answer>> -History of
Present Illness
-How long have you been feeling this way?
-Did something happen in your life that may have triggered these
emotions?
-How is this current situation impacting your life?
The Psychiatric History
-Have you ever been hospitalized for any mental health issues?
-Have you ever had counseling or psychotherapy?
-Have you ever taken medications for your mental health in the
past?
-Are you currently on any medications for mental health or sleep?
Medical History/Screening for General Medical Conditions
-Do you have a primary care provider?
,-Do you have any medical illnesses?
-Are you currently taking any medications or herbal supplements?
-Do you have any allergies to medications?
-Have you ever been hospitalized for any reason?
-Have you ever had surgery?
,Family Psychiatric History
-Has any relative of yours ever been hospitalized for a mental
health issue?
-Has any blood relative of yours ever be
Screening and Psychiatric Rating Scales - Answer>> Evidence-
based screening tools and psychiatric rating scales
-can help the provider identify symptoms and assess their severity
and can assist with the evaluation of response to treatment
A 52-year-old client presents to the emergency department
following a car accident. The emergency department (ED)
physician is concerned that the client may have intentionally
crashed her car and requests a stat PMHNP consult. In speaking
with the PMHNP, the client describes persistent feelings of
sadness and hopelessness. She states that she often wonders if
her husband would be happier if she wasn't around anymore
since she's never happy and sometimes thinks about what it
would be like to just take a handful of sleeping pills and go to
sleep forever. The client reports a previous suicide attempt when
she was 16 but denies that she is considering killing herself right
now.
Based on the client's ASQ score, what is the most appropriate
response?
No action is necessary as the client is not currently considering
suicide.
Provide a brief suicide safety assessment.
Alert the client's primary care physician.
Provide a ST - Answer>> Provide a brief suicide safety
assessment.
Rationale: While the client's responses do not indicate a need for
a stat full safety and mental health evaluation, the client requires
a brief suicide safety assessment to determine whether a full
, mental health evaluation in necessary. It is also important to notify
the client's physician or the clinician responsible for the client's
care.
Diagnostic Testing when diagnosing mental health disorders -
Answer>> -Diagnostic tests and labs are most used to rule out
physical conditions that may cause psychiatric symptoms and to
evaluate the effects of treatment
Basic Laboratory Interpretation - Answer>> Complete Blood
Count
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Thyroid Function Tests
Vitamin B12 Level
Vitamin D Level
Toxicology Screen
Urinalysis (UA)
Basic Laboratory Interpretation: Complete Blood Count -
Answer>> -measures RBCs, WBCs, hemoglobin, hematocrit,
and platelets
-includes a differential of the WBCs
-In mental health, the CBC is used to rule out medical conditions
that may present with symptoms that can be attributed to both
medical and psychiatric diagnoses
• Ex: rule out anemia as a cause for depressive symptoms and
fatigue
• Ex: rule out infection as a cause of acute mental status changes
RBCs: 4.5-6.0 million/microliter
Hemoglobin: 12-18 grams/100 mL
Hematocrit: 38%-48%
Reticulocytes: 0%-1.5%
WBCs (total): 5000-10,000/microliter
Neutrophils: 55%-70%
