Differential Diagnosis in Psychiatric -Mental
Health Across the Lifespan Practicum Exam
Review (NR547-NR 547) with Correct
Questions and Verified Answers Graded
100%
This tool contains 24 categories that score 1-7. The clinician uses this tool to rate
the patients symptoms over days to grade psychosis. It rates over symptoms
such as hostility, suspiciousness, hallucinations and grandiosity. It helps to rate
treatment efficacy over days. - ANS✔✔--The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
The _____ tool focuses on measuring clinical symptoms associated with the disorder.
This one is often used within research to identify the difference between positive and
negative symptoms. - ANS✔✔--The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale
Name the 6 of a differential diagnosis - ANS✔✔--1.) RULE OUT Malingering or
Factitous disorder
2.)Ruling out substance etiology
3.) ruling out a medical etiology
4.) Determining the specific primary disorder
5.) Differentiating adjustment disorder from the residual "other specified" and
"unspecified" conditions
6.) Establishing the boundary with no mental disorder
Remember with step 5, the PMHNP can use "other specified" in the diagnosis when
they want to indicate the specific reason for a diagnosis.
They use "unspecified" if:
the information doesnt conform to DSM5
there is insufficient info to make a specific diagnosis
there is more info the be revealed with time OR they want to help the patient avoid
stigmas - ANS✔✔--
What are some s/s that patients may complain of when having a panic attack or if they
are diagnosed with panic disorder? - ANS✔✔--Palpitations, feeling of choking,
smothering sensation, nausea, abd stress, derealization, dizziness, paresthesia,
trembling
What is the first line treatment for Panic disorder? - ANS✔✔--SSRI plus CBT therapy
, Tell me about agoraphobia - ANS✔✔--This is the fear of or anxiety regarding places
from which escape might be difficult. For DSM-5 Criteria, the patient must have fear of
2+ out of the 5 place for 6 months or more.
A patient presents with brain fog, lack of focus, insomnia & mood swing, lack of mental
alertness. What lab should the PMHNP order? - ANS✔✔--THYROID FUNCTION
TEST
TSH: 0.4-4.5
T3: 100-200
T4: 5-11
The patient has a b12 level of 126 picograms/mL. what symptoms may the patient
experience? - ANS✔✔--normal B12: 190-950 picograms/mL
but borderline is 200-300 & will need additional testing.
depression, mania, psychotic symptoms, cognitive impairment
Name the normal vitamin D levels: - ANS✔✔--20-50 ng/ML
Tell me about the HAM-A - ANS✔✔--This is the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, creates to
assess somatic/cognitive anxiety symptoms. MAINLY TO ASSESS ANXIETY. It does
not help to assess the worry aspect usually found with GAD.
less than 17- mild
18-23- mod
25-30 mod-severe
_____ shows there is an INCREASE activation of the amygdala which is an increase in
the fear response. There is a decreased activation of the pre-frontal cortex which results
in lessened reasoning. - ANS✔✔--Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Explain GAD - ANS✔✔--This is characterized when a person WORRY about
ORDINARY, everyday situations. These patients have a hard time getting over the what
ifs and hyperfixate. Due to this they are unable to get more of their pressing tasks done
What is the DSM criteria for GAD? - ANS✔✔--WORRY about everyday tasks, sleep
disturbance, restlessness, fatigue and immanent fear, muscle tension or difficulty
concentrating has to be persistent for six months or GREATER
Name the first line treatment for GAD. - ANS✔✔--SSRIs
What are some s/e of SSRIS? - ANS✔✔--hyponatremia, weight loss, weight gain,
anxiety in the initial stages.
Health Across the Lifespan Practicum Exam
Review (NR547-NR 547) with Correct
Questions and Verified Answers Graded
100%
This tool contains 24 categories that score 1-7. The clinician uses this tool to rate
the patients symptoms over days to grade psychosis. It rates over symptoms
such as hostility, suspiciousness, hallucinations and grandiosity. It helps to rate
treatment efficacy over days. - ANS✔✔--The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
The _____ tool focuses on measuring clinical symptoms associated with the disorder.
This one is often used within research to identify the difference between positive and
negative symptoms. - ANS✔✔--The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale
Name the 6 of a differential diagnosis - ANS✔✔--1.) RULE OUT Malingering or
Factitous disorder
2.)Ruling out substance etiology
3.) ruling out a medical etiology
4.) Determining the specific primary disorder
5.) Differentiating adjustment disorder from the residual "other specified" and
"unspecified" conditions
6.) Establishing the boundary with no mental disorder
Remember with step 5, the PMHNP can use "other specified" in the diagnosis when
they want to indicate the specific reason for a diagnosis.
They use "unspecified" if:
the information doesnt conform to DSM5
there is insufficient info to make a specific diagnosis
there is more info the be revealed with time OR they want to help the patient avoid
stigmas - ANS✔✔--
What are some s/s that patients may complain of when having a panic attack or if they
are diagnosed with panic disorder? - ANS✔✔--Palpitations, feeling of choking,
smothering sensation, nausea, abd stress, derealization, dizziness, paresthesia,
trembling
What is the first line treatment for Panic disorder? - ANS✔✔--SSRI plus CBT therapy
, Tell me about agoraphobia - ANS✔✔--This is the fear of or anxiety regarding places
from which escape might be difficult. For DSM-5 Criteria, the patient must have fear of
2+ out of the 5 place for 6 months or more.
A patient presents with brain fog, lack of focus, insomnia & mood swing, lack of mental
alertness. What lab should the PMHNP order? - ANS✔✔--THYROID FUNCTION
TEST
TSH: 0.4-4.5
T3: 100-200
T4: 5-11
The patient has a b12 level of 126 picograms/mL. what symptoms may the patient
experience? - ANS✔✔--normal B12: 190-950 picograms/mL
but borderline is 200-300 & will need additional testing.
depression, mania, psychotic symptoms, cognitive impairment
Name the normal vitamin D levels: - ANS✔✔--20-50 ng/ML
Tell me about the HAM-A - ANS✔✔--This is the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, creates to
assess somatic/cognitive anxiety symptoms. MAINLY TO ASSESS ANXIETY. It does
not help to assess the worry aspect usually found with GAD.
less than 17- mild
18-23- mod
25-30 mod-severe
_____ shows there is an INCREASE activation of the amygdala which is an increase in
the fear response. There is a decreased activation of the pre-frontal cortex which results
in lessened reasoning. - ANS✔✔--Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Explain GAD - ANS✔✔--This is characterized when a person WORRY about
ORDINARY, everyday situations. These patients have a hard time getting over the what
ifs and hyperfixate. Due to this they are unable to get more of their pressing tasks done
What is the DSM criteria for GAD? - ANS✔✔--WORRY about everyday tasks, sleep
disturbance, restlessness, fatigue and immanent fear, muscle tension or difficulty
concentrating has to be persistent for six months or GREATER
Name the first line treatment for GAD. - ANS✔✔--SSRIs
What are some s/e of SSRIS? - ANS✔✔--hyponatremia, weight loss, weight gain,
anxiety in the initial stages.
