NURS 6501 Final Exam Questions and
Correct Answers 2025-2026 Latest Update
Guaranteed PASS
What is the role of the primary care provider in mental health? -
ANSWERS-- Screen for
mental health issues
- Improve outcomes and reduce health care costs
- Assess and give care to mild-moderate disorders or patients with
stable severe mental
disorders
- From strong links with mental health specialty care for complex
cases
Sharing patient info (ex: meds used)
about PHQ2
what does it screen for, what are the questions, scoring -
ANSWERS-- Screens for
MDD
- It is the first two questions of the PHQ9
- In the last two week, have you been feeling these (not at all,
several days, more than half the day, nearly everyday):
- Little interest or pleasure in doing things?
- Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?
,Scoring:
A single yes or score >3 (out of 0-6) = possible clinical depression
due the PHQ9
If the pt screens (+) continue to eval with the PHQ9
about PHQ9
what its used for, questions, scoring - ANSWERS-Used for
screening, diagnosing, and treating
- It asks about functioning impairments which is needed for the
DSM-based diagnosis
Includes asking about suicide or hurting self
Scoring:
0-27 available
0-4: Minimal/none
Monitor; may not require treatment
5-9: Mild
Use clinical judgment; follow-up in one month
10-14: Moderate
Use clinical judgment; may need meds if functionally impaired
15-19: Moderately Severe
Warrants active treatment with psychotherapy, meds, or combo
20-27: Severe
Warrants active treatment with psychotherapy, meds, or combo
What is the appropriate initiation dose for fluoxetine for adults and
geriatric adults? -
ANSWERS-20mg PO once daily in the AM
- May ↑ daily dose after several weeks if inadequate response
- Full therapeutic effect may be delayed 4 weeks or longer
, - Max dose: 80mg/day
What labs would be appropriate to draw if you initiate fluoxetine in
a geriatric patient? -
ANSWERS-Sodium levels
- Baseline screening & after 3-4 weeks in high-risk patients (>
65yrs, previous hx of antidepressant-induced hyponatremia, low
body weight, concomitant use of thiazides or other hyponatremia-
inducing agents)
- monitor regularly in the elderly
What are potential side effects of SSRI medications?
- what are the common SSRIs, LEAP of them, and zoloft AE -
ANSWERS-Common SSRIs:
Lexapro, celexa, paxil, zoloft, prozac
L = decreased libido and sleep
E = Neutral effect on energy
A = neural effect on addiction
P = celexa may stop working after awhile (increase or switch)
Zoloft AE:
Insomnia, somnolence, fatigue, abnormal ejaculation, suicidal
thoughts
What are characteristics of major depressive disorder or MDD? 9
- ANSWERSDiagnostics need 5 or more of the following:
- SS occur more days than not in a 2 week period
- SS cause significant impairment in any realm of functioning
- Depressed mood
- Loss of interest
- Significant unintended ▲ in weight or appetite
Correct Answers 2025-2026 Latest Update
Guaranteed PASS
What is the role of the primary care provider in mental health? -
ANSWERS-- Screen for
mental health issues
- Improve outcomes and reduce health care costs
- Assess and give care to mild-moderate disorders or patients with
stable severe mental
disorders
- From strong links with mental health specialty care for complex
cases
Sharing patient info (ex: meds used)
about PHQ2
what does it screen for, what are the questions, scoring -
ANSWERS-- Screens for
MDD
- It is the first two questions of the PHQ9
- In the last two week, have you been feeling these (not at all,
several days, more than half the day, nearly everyday):
- Little interest or pleasure in doing things?
- Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?
,Scoring:
A single yes or score >3 (out of 0-6) = possible clinical depression
due the PHQ9
If the pt screens (+) continue to eval with the PHQ9
about PHQ9
what its used for, questions, scoring - ANSWERS-Used for
screening, diagnosing, and treating
- It asks about functioning impairments which is needed for the
DSM-based diagnosis
Includes asking about suicide or hurting self
Scoring:
0-27 available
0-4: Minimal/none
Monitor; may not require treatment
5-9: Mild
Use clinical judgment; follow-up in one month
10-14: Moderate
Use clinical judgment; may need meds if functionally impaired
15-19: Moderately Severe
Warrants active treatment with psychotherapy, meds, or combo
20-27: Severe
Warrants active treatment with psychotherapy, meds, or combo
What is the appropriate initiation dose for fluoxetine for adults and
geriatric adults? -
ANSWERS-20mg PO once daily in the AM
- May ↑ daily dose after several weeks if inadequate response
- Full therapeutic effect may be delayed 4 weeks or longer
, - Max dose: 80mg/day
What labs would be appropriate to draw if you initiate fluoxetine in
a geriatric patient? -
ANSWERS-Sodium levels
- Baseline screening & after 3-4 weeks in high-risk patients (>
65yrs, previous hx of antidepressant-induced hyponatremia, low
body weight, concomitant use of thiazides or other hyponatremia-
inducing agents)
- monitor regularly in the elderly
What are potential side effects of SSRI medications?
- what are the common SSRIs, LEAP of them, and zoloft AE -
ANSWERS-Common SSRIs:
Lexapro, celexa, paxil, zoloft, prozac
L = decreased libido and sleep
E = Neutral effect on energy
A = neural effect on addiction
P = celexa may stop working after awhile (increase or switch)
Zoloft AE:
Insomnia, somnolence, fatigue, abnormal ejaculation, suicidal
thoughts
What are characteristics of major depressive disorder or MDD? 9
- ANSWERSDiagnostics need 5 or more of the following:
- SS occur more days than not in a 2 week period
- SS cause significant impairment in any realm of functioning
- Depressed mood
- Loss of interest
- Significant unintended ▲ in weight or appetite
