,Maryville NURS 623 Exam 3 | Adult-Gerontology Health
Care II (2026) Q&A
1. Which anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about
multiple domains for at least six months?
A) Panic disorder
B) Generalized anxiety disorder
C) Social anxiety disorder
D) Separation anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: Generalized anxiety disorder
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder is defined by excessive, pervasive worry about
multiple areas of life that is difficult to control and persists for at least six months. Panic
disorder centers on recurrent unexpected panic attacks, social anxiety disorder involves
fear of scrutiny, and separation anxiety focuses on attachment figures.
2. What is the first-line pharmacologic treatment for generalized anxiety disorder in older
adults?
A) Benzodiazepines
B) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
C) Stimulants
D) Typical antipsychotics
Correct Answer: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Rationale: SSRIs are first-line for generalized anxiety disorder because they have a
favorable safety profile and are effective, especially in older adults who are sensitive to
,sedation and falls. Benzodiazepines carry risks of dependence, cognitive impairment, and
falls; stimulants and typical antipsychotics are not first-line for anxiety.
3. According to DSM-5 criteria, how many symptoms must be present for a diagnosis of
major depressive disorder?
A) At least three symptoms
B) At least five symptoms
C) At least seven symptoms
D) At least nine symptoms
Correct Answer: At least five symptoms
Rationale: Major depressive disorder requires five or more symptoms during the same
two-week period, including at least one of depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure.
Requiring three, seven, or nine symptoms does not match the DSM-5 threshold.
4. Which symptom is most characteristic of depression in an older adult?
A) Euphoria and grandiosity
B) Somatic complaints and memory difficulty
C) Flight of ideas and pressured speech
D) Compulsive rituals
Correct Answer: Somatic complaints and memory difficulty
Rationale: Older adults with depression often present with somatic complaints, memory
difficulty, and psychomotor changes rather than classic sadness. Euphoria and grandiosity
suggest mania, flight of ideas and pressured speech suggest mania, and compulsive rituals
suggest obsessive-compulsive disorder.
, 5. Which class of antidepressants is most likely to cause sexual dysfunction and weight
gain?
A) Bupropion
B) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
C) Mirtazapine
D) Trazodone
Correct Answer: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Rationale: SSRIs commonly cause sexual dysfunction and weight gain, which can affect
adherence. Bupropion is less likely to cause sexual dysfunction, mirtazapine causes weight
gain but is sedating, and trazodone is sedating and less likely to cause sexual dysfunction.
6. Which manic symptom is assessed using the DIGFAST mnemonic?
A) Delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech
B) Distractibility, indiscretion, grandiosity, flight of ideas, activity increase, sleep deficit, and
talkativeness
C) Depressed mood, anhedonia, guilt, and suicidal ideation
D) Obsessions, compulsions, and insight
Correct Answer: Distractibility, indiscretion, grandiosity, flight of ideas, activity increase,
sleep deficit, and talkativeness
Rationale: DIGFAST is a mnemonic for manic symptoms: Distractibility, Indiscretion,
Grandiosity, Flight of ideas, Activity increase, Sleep deficit, and Talkativeness. Delusions and
hallucinations are psychotic symptoms, depressed mood and anhedonia are depressive
symptoms, and obsessions and compulsions are OCD symptoms.
Care II (2026) Q&A
1. Which anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about
multiple domains for at least six months?
A) Panic disorder
B) Generalized anxiety disorder
C) Social anxiety disorder
D) Separation anxiety disorder
Correct Answer: Generalized anxiety disorder
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder is defined by excessive, pervasive worry about
multiple areas of life that is difficult to control and persists for at least six months. Panic
disorder centers on recurrent unexpected panic attacks, social anxiety disorder involves
fear of scrutiny, and separation anxiety focuses on attachment figures.
2. What is the first-line pharmacologic treatment for generalized anxiety disorder in older
adults?
A) Benzodiazepines
B) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
C) Stimulants
D) Typical antipsychotics
Correct Answer: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Rationale: SSRIs are first-line for generalized anxiety disorder because they have a
favorable safety profile and are effective, especially in older adults who are sensitive to
,sedation and falls. Benzodiazepines carry risks of dependence, cognitive impairment, and
falls; stimulants and typical antipsychotics are not first-line for anxiety.
3. According to DSM-5 criteria, how many symptoms must be present for a diagnosis of
major depressive disorder?
A) At least three symptoms
B) At least five symptoms
C) At least seven symptoms
D) At least nine symptoms
Correct Answer: At least five symptoms
Rationale: Major depressive disorder requires five or more symptoms during the same
two-week period, including at least one of depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure.
Requiring three, seven, or nine symptoms does not match the DSM-5 threshold.
4. Which symptom is most characteristic of depression in an older adult?
A) Euphoria and grandiosity
B) Somatic complaints and memory difficulty
C) Flight of ideas and pressured speech
D) Compulsive rituals
Correct Answer: Somatic complaints and memory difficulty
Rationale: Older adults with depression often present with somatic complaints, memory
difficulty, and psychomotor changes rather than classic sadness. Euphoria and grandiosity
suggest mania, flight of ideas and pressured speech suggest mania, and compulsive rituals
suggest obsessive-compulsive disorder.
, 5. Which class of antidepressants is most likely to cause sexual dysfunction and weight
gain?
A) Bupropion
B) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
C) Mirtazapine
D) Trazodone
Correct Answer: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Rationale: SSRIs commonly cause sexual dysfunction and weight gain, which can affect
adherence. Bupropion is less likely to cause sexual dysfunction, mirtazapine causes weight
gain but is sedating, and trazodone is sedating and less likely to cause sexual dysfunction.
6. Which manic symptom is assessed using the DIGFAST mnemonic?
A) Delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized speech
B) Distractibility, indiscretion, grandiosity, flight of ideas, activity increase, sleep deficit, and
talkativeness
C) Depressed mood, anhedonia, guilt, and suicidal ideation
D) Obsessions, compulsions, and insight
Correct Answer: Distractibility, indiscretion, grandiosity, flight of ideas, activity increase,
sleep deficit, and talkativeness
Rationale: DIGFAST is a mnemonic for manic symptoms: Distractibility, Indiscretion,
Grandiosity, Flight of ideas, Activity increase, Sleep deficit, and Talkativeness. Delusions and
hallucinations are psychotic symptoms, depressed mood and anhedonia are depressive
symptoms, and obsessions and compulsions are OCD symptoms.
