NR 546 / NR546 Final Exam Guide
2025/2026: Chamberlain’s Verified
Q&A for Psychopharmacology
(New!!!)
When do you consider Unipolar versus Bipolar depression - answer-Unipolar major
depression (major depressive disorder) is characterized by a history of one or more
major depressive episodes (table 3) and no history of mania (table 1) or hypomania
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) - answer-Scoring Instructions. Score 1 point for each
bolded answer. A score of 5 or more suggests depression.
Self-reporting tool that may be used to diagnose and treat depression
Geriatric Depression Scale - answer-The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a self-
report measure of depression in older adults. Users respond in a "Yes/No" format. The
GDS was originally developed as a 30-item instrument. Since this version proved both
time-consuming and difficult for some patients to complete, a 15-item version was
developed. The shortened form (GDS-S) is comprised of 15 items chosen from the
Geriatric Depression Scale-Long Form (GDS-L). These 15 items were chosen because
of their high correlation with depressive symptoms in previous validation studies
Geriatric Depression Scale: Targeted Population - answer-he GDS may be used with
healthy, medically ill and mild to moderately cognitively impaired older adults. It has
been extensively used in community, acute care, and long-term care settings.
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Score - answer-Pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic,
or combination treatment indicated of the 15 items, 10 indicated the presence of
depression when answered positively, while the rest (question numbers 1, 5, 7, 11, 13)
indicated depression when answered negatively.
Scores of 0-4 are considered normal, depending on age, education, and complaints;
(No Treatment)
5-8 indicate mild depression; (Pharmacologic or psychotherapeutic treatment may be
indicated
Base treatment on duration of symptoms and functional impairment
9-11 indicate moderate depression; (Pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, or combination
treatment indicated)
,12-15 indicate severe depression.(Pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, or combination
treatment indicated
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Indication for Intervention - answer-The presence of
depression warrants prompt intervention and treatment. The GDS may be used to
monitor depression over time in all clinical settings.
Any positive score above 5 on the GDS Short Form should prompt an in-depth
psychological assessment and evaluation for suicidality.
Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9] - answer-A brief 9-item self-report questionnaire
used as a screening tool to assess severity of depression; widely used by health care
providers, in validity is well established, particularly for identifying severe depression.
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) - answer-Widely used to screen for depression
and to measure behavioral manifestations and severity of depression.
The BDI can be used for ages 13 to 80. The inventory contains 21 self-report items
which individuals complete using multiple choice response formats.
The BDI takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Validity and reliability of the BDI
has been tested across populations, worldwide.
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) - answer-Designed for use
in the general population and is now used as a screener for depression in primary care
settings.
It includes 20 self-report items, scored on a 4-point scale, which measure major
dimensions of depression experienced in the past week.
The CES-D can be used for children as young as 6 and through older adulthood. It has
been tested across gender and cultural populations and maintains consistent validity
and reliability. The scale takes about 20 minutes to administer, including scoring.
EQ-5D - answer-The EQ-5D is a standardized, non-disease specific instrument for
describing and evaluating health-related quality of life. The instrument measures quality
of life in five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and
anxiety/depression.
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) - answer-
Mood Disorders: Depression - answer-Sadness, lethargy, inactivity and feelings of
helplessness and hopelessness
Genetic link
Behavioral changes: slower motor reactions
, Cognitive changes: cognitive distortions
Physical changes: alters immune functioning
PQ9 Scores - answer-Depression Severity
5 - 9Mild
10 - 14Moderate
15 - 19Moderately Severe
20 - 27Severe
scores current depression severity and to follow up treatment response.
Depression: Anxious distress Modifier - answer-Depression with unusual restlessness
or worry about possible events or loss of control
Depression: Mixed features - answer-Simultaneous depression and mania, which
includes elevated self-esteem, talking too much and increased energy
Depression: Melancholic features - answer-Severe depression with lack of response to
something that used to bring pleasure and associated with early morning awakening,
worsened mood in the morning, major changes in appetite, and feelings of guilt,
agitation or sluggishness
Depression: Atypical features - answer-Depression that includes the ability to
temporarily be cheered by happy events, increased appetite, excessive need for sleep,
sensitivity to rejection, and a heavy feeling in the arms or legs
Depression: Psychotic Features - answer-Depression accompanied by delusions or
hallucinations, which may involve personal inadequacy or other negative themes
Depression: Catatonic Features - answer-Depression that includes motor activity that
involves either uncontrollable and purposeless movement or fixed and inflexible posture
Bipolar I and II disorders - answer-These mood disorders include mood swings that
range from highs (mania) to lows (depression). It's sometimes difficult to distinguish
between bipolar disorder and depression.
Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia) - answer-Involves highs and lows that are milder
than those of bipolar disorder.
mood disorders - answer-Psychological disorders characterized by emotional extremes
that occur across a spectrum from depression to mania.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) - answer-This mood disorder in
children includes chronic and severe irritability and anger with frequent extreme temper
outbursts. This disorder typically develops into depressive disorder or anxiety disorder
during the teen years or adulthood.
2025/2026: Chamberlain’s Verified
Q&A for Psychopharmacology
(New!!!)
When do you consider Unipolar versus Bipolar depression - answer-Unipolar major
depression (major depressive disorder) is characterized by a history of one or more
major depressive episodes (table 3) and no history of mania (table 1) or hypomania
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) - answer-Scoring Instructions. Score 1 point for each
bolded answer. A score of 5 or more suggests depression.
Self-reporting tool that may be used to diagnose and treat depression
Geriatric Depression Scale - answer-The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a self-
report measure of depression in older adults. Users respond in a "Yes/No" format. The
GDS was originally developed as a 30-item instrument. Since this version proved both
time-consuming and difficult for some patients to complete, a 15-item version was
developed. The shortened form (GDS-S) is comprised of 15 items chosen from the
Geriatric Depression Scale-Long Form (GDS-L). These 15 items were chosen because
of their high correlation with depressive symptoms in previous validation studies
Geriatric Depression Scale: Targeted Population - answer-he GDS may be used with
healthy, medically ill and mild to moderately cognitively impaired older adults. It has
been extensively used in community, acute care, and long-term care settings.
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Score - answer-Pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic,
or combination treatment indicated of the 15 items, 10 indicated the presence of
depression when answered positively, while the rest (question numbers 1, 5, 7, 11, 13)
indicated depression when answered negatively.
Scores of 0-4 are considered normal, depending on age, education, and complaints;
(No Treatment)
5-8 indicate mild depression; (Pharmacologic or psychotherapeutic treatment may be
indicated
Base treatment on duration of symptoms and functional impairment
9-11 indicate moderate depression; (Pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, or combination
treatment indicated)
,12-15 indicate severe depression.(Pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, or combination
treatment indicated
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Indication for Intervention - answer-The presence of
depression warrants prompt intervention and treatment. The GDS may be used to
monitor depression over time in all clinical settings.
Any positive score above 5 on the GDS Short Form should prompt an in-depth
psychological assessment and evaluation for suicidality.
Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9] - answer-A brief 9-item self-report questionnaire
used as a screening tool to assess severity of depression; widely used by health care
providers, in validity is well established, particularly for identifying severe depression.
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) - answer-Widely used to screen for depression
and to measure behavioral manifestations and severity of depression.
The BDI can be used for ages 13 to 80. The inventory contains 21 self-report items
which individuals complete using multiple choice response formats.
The BDI takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Validity and reliability of the BDI
has been tested across populations, worldwide.
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) - answer-Designed for use
in the general population and is now used as a screener for depression in primary care
settings.
It includes 20 self-report items, scored on a 4-point scale, which measure major
dimensions of depression experienced in the past week.
The CES-D can be used for children as young as 6 and through older adulthood. It has
been tested across gender and cultural populations and maintains consistent validity
and reliability. The scale takes about 20 minutes to administer, including scoring.
EQ-5D - answer-The EQ-5D is a standardized, non-disease specific instrument for
describing and evaluating health-related quality of life. The instrument measures quality
of life in five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and
anxiety/depression.
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) - answer-
Mood Disorders: Depression - answer-Sadness, lethargy, inactivity and feelings of
helplessness and hopelessness
Genetic link
Behavioral changes: slower motor reactions
, Cognitive changes: cognitive distortions
Physical changes: alters immune functioning
PQ9 Scores - answer-Depression Severity
5 - 9Mild
10 - 14Moderate
15 - 19Moderately Severe
20 - 27Severe
scores current depression severity and to follow up treatment response.
Depression: Anxious distress Modifier - answer-Depression with unusual restlessness
or worry about possible events or loss of control
Depression: Mixed features - answer-Simultaneous depression and mania, which
includes elevated self-esteem, talking too much and increased energy
Depression: Melancholic features - answer-Severe depression with lack of response to
something that used to bring pleasure and associated with early morning awakening,
worsened mood in the morning, major changes in appetite, and feelings of guilt,
agitation or sluggishness
Depression: Atypical features - answer-Depression that includes the ability to
temporarily be cheered by happy events, increased appetite, excessive need for sleep,
sensitivity to rejection, and a heavy feeling in the arms or legs
Depression: Psychotic Features - answer-Depression accompanied by delusions or
hallucinations, which may involve personal inadequacy or other negative themes
Depression: Catatonic Features - answer-Depression that includes motor activity that
involves either uncontrollable and purposeless movement or fixed and inflexible posture
Bipolar I and II disorders - answer-These mood disorders include mood swings that
range from highs (mania) to lows (depression). It's sometimes difficult to distinguish
between bipolar disorder and depression.
Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia) - answer-Involves highs and lows that are milder
than those of bipolar disorder.
mood disorders - answer-Psychological disorders characterized by emotional extremes
that occur across a spectrum from depression to mania.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) - answer-This mood disorder in
children includes chronic and severe irritability and anger with frequent extreme temper
outbursts. This disorder typically develops into depressive disorder or anxiety disorder
during the teen years or adulthood.
