CMN 552 Final Exam Study Guide: Modules 1-
5 Advanced PMHNP Diagnostic Q&As
QUESTION 1
Which mnemonic is used to remember the diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive
Disorder?
A. DIGFAST
B. SIGECAPS
C. FASTSIG
D. SIGGEMAP
Correct Answer: B. SIGECAPS
Rationale: SIGECAPS is the standard mnemonic for the DSM-5-TR criteria of Major
Depressive Disorder. It stands for: Sleep disturbance, Interest deficit (anhedonia),
Guilt/worthlessness, Energy deficit, Concentration deficit, Appetite disorder,
Psychomotor changes, and Suicidality. A diagnosis requires at least five symptoms,
including depressed mood or anhedonia, present for at least two weeks .
QUESTION 2
The mnemonic DIGFAST is used to remember the symptoms of which condition?
A. Major Depressive Disorder
B. Manic Episode
C. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
D. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Correct Answer: B. Manic Episode
Rationale: DIGFAST is the standard mnemonic for the symptoms of a manic episode,
as seen in Bipolar I Disorder. It stands for: Distractibility, Indiscretion (risky behavior),
,Grandiosity, Flight of ideas, Activity increase, Sleep deficit, and Talkativeness (pressured
speech) .
QUESTION 3
In children and adolescents with depression, which symptom is more commonly seen
than sadness?
A. Hyperactivity
B. Irritable mood
C. Increased appetite
D. Excessive sleep
Correct Answer: B. Irritable mood
Rationale: In children and adolescents, depressive symptoms often manifest as
irritable mood rather than the sadness more commonly seen in adults. The DSM-5-TR
specifically notes that for children and adolescents, the mood can be irritable rather
than depressed .
QUESTION 4
Which statement is correct regarding postpartum depressive episodes?
A. They always begin after delivery
B. Fifty percent actually begin prior to delivery and are called peripartum episodes
C. They never include anxiety
D. Panic attacks are rare
Correct Answer: B. Fifty percent actually begin prior to delivery and are called
peripartum episodes
,Rationale: Approximately 50% of "postpartum" major depressive episodes actually
begin prior to delivery, which is why they are referred to collectively as peripartum
episodes. These episodes often include severe anxiety and even panic attacks .
QUESTION 5
What is the prevalence of a major depressive episode between birth and 12 months
postpartum?
A. Less than 1%
B. Approximately 5%
C. Just below 7%
D. Approximately 12%
Correct Answer: C. Just below 7%
Rationale: The best estimate for the prevalence of a major depressive episode between
birth and 12 months postpartum is just below 7%. Between conception and birth, about
9% of women will experience a major depressive episode .
QUESTION 6
What is the incidence of postpartum mood episodes with psychotic features?
A. 1 in 10 deliveries
B. 1 in 100 deliveries
C. 1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000 deliveries
D. 1 in 10,000 deliveries
Correct Answer: C. 1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000 deliveries
Rationale: Postpartum mood episodes with psychotic features occur in approximately
1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000 deliveries and may be more common in primiparous women .
, QUESTION 7
What is the risk of recurrence with each subsequent delivery after a postpartum
episode with psychotic features?
A. 5-10%
B. 30-50%
C. 60-70%
D. 80-90%
Correct Answer: B. 30-50%
Rationale: Once a woman has had a postpartum episode with psychotic features, the
risk of recurrence with each subsequent delivery is between 30% and 50%. The risk is
particularly increased for women with prior postpartum psychotic episodes or bipolar I
disorder .
QUESTION 8
Infanticide is most often associated with which postpartum condition?
A. "Baby blues"
B. Postpartum anxiety
C. Postpartum psychotic episodes with command hallucinations or delusions
D. Postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder
Correct Answer: C. Postpartum psychotic episodes with command hallucinations
or delusions
Rationale: Infanticide is most often associated with postpartum psychotic episodes
characterized by command hallucinations to kill the infant or delusions that the infant
is possessed. This is a rare but serious complication of postpartum psychosis .
5 Advanced PMHNP Diagnostic Q&As
QUESTION 1
Which mnemonic is used to remember the diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive
Disorder?
A. DIGFAST
B. SIGECAPS
C. FASTSIG
D. SIGGEMAP
Correct Answer: B. SIGECAPS
Rationale: SIGECAPS is the standard mnemonic for the DSM-5-TR criteria of Major
Depressive Disorder. It stands for: Sleep disturbance, Interest deficit (anhedonia),
Guilt/worthlessness, Energy deficit, Concentration deficit, Appetite disorder,
Psychomotor changes, and Suicidality. A diagnosis requires at least five symptoms,
including depressed mood or anhedonia, present for at least two weeks .
QUESTION 2
The mnemonic DIGFAST is used to remember the symptoms of which condition?
A. Major Depressive Disorder
B. Manic Episode
C. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
D. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Correct Answer: B. Manic Episode
Rationale: DIGFAST is the standard mnemonic for the symptoms of a manic episode,
as seen in Bipolar I Disorder. It stands for: Distractibility, Indiscretion (risky behavior),
,Grandiosity, Flight of ideas, Activity increase, Sleep deficit, and Talkativeness (pressured
speech) .
QUESTION 3
In children and adolescents with depression, which symptom is more commonly seen
than sadness?
A. Hyperactivity
B. Irritable mood
C. Increased appetite
D. Excessive sleep
Correct Answer: B. Irritable mood
Rationale: In children and adolescents, depressive symptoms often manifest as
irritable mood rather than the sadness more commonly seen in adults. The DSM-5-TR
specifically notes that for children and adolescents, the mood can be irritable rather
than depressed .
QUESTION 4
Which statement is correct regarding postpartum depressive episodes?
A. They always begin after delivery
B. Fifty percent actually begin prior to delivery and are called peripartum episodes
C. They never include anxiety
D. Panic attacks are rare
Correct Answer: B. Fifty percent actually begin prior to delivery and are called
peripartum episodes
,Rationale: Approximately 50% of "postpartum" major depressive episodes actually
begin prior to delivery, which is why they are referred to collectively as peripartum
episodes. These episodes often include severe anxiety and even panic attacks .
QUESTION 5
What is the prevalence of a major depressive episode between birth and 12 months
postpartum?
A. Less than 1%
B. Approximately 5%
C. Just below 7%
D. Approximately 12%
Correct Answer: C. Just below 7%
Rationale: The best estimate for the prevalence of a major depressive episode between
birth and 12 months postpartum is just below 7%. Between conception and birth, about
9% of women will experience a major depressive episode .
QUESTION 6
What is the incidence of postpartum mood episodes with psychotic features?
A. 1 in 10 deliveries
B. 1 in 100 deliveries
C. 1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000 deliveries
D. 1 in 10,000 deliveries
Correct Answer: C. 1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000 deliveries
Rationale: Postpartum mood episodes with psychotic features occur in approximately
1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000 deliveries and may be more common in primiparous women .
, QUESTION 7
What is the risk of recurrence with each subsequent delivery after a postpartum
episode with psychotic features?
A. 5-10%
B. 30-50%
C. 60-70%
D. 80-90%
Correct Answer: B. 30-50%
Rationale: Once a woman has had a postpartum episode with psychotic features, the
risk of recurrence with each subsequent delivery is between 30% and 50%. The risk is
particularly increased for women with prior postpartum psychotic episodes or bipolar I
disorder .
QUESTION 8
Infanticide is most often associated with which postpartum condition?
A. "Baby blues"
B. Postpartum anxiety
C. Postpartum psychotic episodes with command hallucinations or delusions
D. Postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder
Correct Answer: C. Postpartum psychotic episodes with command hallucinations
or delusions
Rationale: Infanticide is most often associated with postpartum psychotic episodes
characterized by command hallucinations to kill the infant or delusions that the infant
is possessed. This is a rare but serious complication of postpartum psychosis .
