MSN 675 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2026
Mood Disorders - Answers Conditions marked by clinically significant disturbances in mood, energy,
sleep, cognition, and functioning.
Depressive Episodes - Answers Periods lasting at least two weeks with depressed mood, anhedonia,
sleep or appetite changes, and suicidal thoughts.
Manic vs. Hypomanic Episodes - Answers Elevated or irritable mood with increased energy. Mania
causes marked impairment/hospitalization; hypomania is less severe.
Sleep Disorders (Mood Context) - Answers Conditions like insomnia, hypersomnolence, narcolepsy,
and sleep apnea that disrupt rest and worsen mood symptoms.
Depression Pharmacotherapy - Answers Includes SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, or MAOIs; requires gradual
titration and monitoring due to delayed therapeutic onset.
Bipolar Disorder Management - Answers Involves mood stabilizers (lithium, anticonvulsants) and
antipsychotics, monitoring for mood switching and toxicity.
Sleep Hygiene and Circadian Management - Answers Consistent sleep/wake times, reduced
stimulants/screens, relaxation routines, and behavioral or medical interventions.
Lifestyle Modifications for Mood - Answers Diet, physical activity, structured routines, and social
support paired with psychotherapy and medication.
Pediatric Mood Disorder Presentation - Answers Depression in youth often appears as irritability,
school decline, withdrawal, or somatic complaints rather than sadness.
Medication Management Principles - Answers Selection based on diagnosis and severity; ongoing
monitoring of side effects, adherence, and therapeutic response.
Suicide Risk Assessment Elements - Answers Evaluates intent, plan, lethal means, previous attempts,
protective factors, and uses tools like C-SSRS, PHQ-9, ASQ.
Depression vs. Manic Symptoms - Answers Depression involves low mood and fatigue; mania involves
elevated mood, grandiosity, impulsivity, and increased activity.
Mood Symptom Patterns - Answers Interactions between mood symptoms and sleep disruption,
stress, substance use, and medication adherence.
Medical Mimics of Depression - Answers Vitamin D deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, and chronic
illness that can mimic or worsen depressive symptoms.
Sleep Diary Use - Answers Tracking bedtime, wake time, naps, caffeine, screens, and mood to identify
patterns worsening insomnia.
Patient Education in Mood Disorders - Answers Teaching warning signs, side effects, and sleep
disruption to support timely intervention and shared decision-making.
Safety Planning for Suicidal Ideation - Answers Crisis contacts, lethal means restriction, identification
of support people, and emergency instructions.
Lithium Monitoring Requirements - Answers Serum levels, kidney/thyroid function, hydration, drug
interactions, and toxicity symptoms like tremor or confusion.
Benzodiazepine Precautions - Answers Use cautiously short-term due to sedation, falls, tolerance,
dependence, and interaction with alcohol or opioids.
Suicide Prevention & Lethal Means - Answers Assessing and reducing access to firearms or lethal
means while maintaining rapport and dignity.
Evidence-Based Tools in Mood Practice - Answers C-SSRS, PHQ-9, and ASQ standardize screening,
guide safety planning, and direct levels of care.
Anxiety Definition - Answers A normal response to stress that becomes clinically significant when
worry, fear, or avoidance impairs daily functioning.
Social Anxiety Disorder - Answers Persistent fear of social or performance situations due to concern
over scrutiny, embarrassment, or negative evaluation.
Agoraphobia - Answers Anxiety about situations where escape might be difficult, such as public
transit, crowds, or open spaces, leading to avoidance.
Telehealth in Mental Health - Answers Remote care improving access for transportation barriers or
agoraphobia, requiring privacy and emergency procedures.
DSM-5 Purpose - Answers Diagnostic framework classifying mental conditions, clarifying criteria, and
distinguishing anxiety from medical or substance causes.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety - Answers First-line treatment helping patients
identify distorted thoughts, reduce avoidance, and practice coping skills.
, Exposure Therapy for Anxiety - Answers Gradually exposing patients to feared situations so anxiety
decreases over time and avoidance is unlearned.
Nonpharmacological Anxiety Options - Answers Mindfulness, exercise, sleep routines, reduced
caffeine, relaxation, and Mediterranean or DASH diets.
First-Line Anxiety Medications - Answers SSRIs and SNRIs; other options include buspirone,
hydroxyzine, TCAs, MAOIs, or short-term benzodiazepines.
Anxiety Medication Considerations - Answers Account for sedation, cognitive effects, fall risk,
dependence, interactions, pregnancy status, and comorbidities.
CBT vs. Medication for Anxiety - Answers CBT targets thought patterns and behaviors; medications
reduce symptom intensity and physiologic arousal.
Telehealth vs. In-Person Care - Answers Telehealth reduces barriers for social anxiety/agoraphobia;
in-person is preferred for complex assessment or safety concerns.
Lifestyle Factors in Anxiety - Answers Sleep disruption, stimulants, high stress, and poor nutrition
worsen anxiety; healthy routines reinforce treatment.
Telehealth for Social Anxiety/Agoraphobia - Answers Remote sessions help patients begin treatment
safely before working toward in-person exposure goals.
CBT Journaling - Answers Tracking anxious thoughts, triggers, body sensations, and coping responses
to identify patterns.
Cyberbullying and Child Anxiety - Answers Online harassment contributing to anxiety and depression;
assessment requires evaluating screen use and peer relations.
Telehealth Access and Safety - Answers Verifying privacy, emergency contacts, location, and crisis
procedures during remote sessions.
Functional Assessment in Anxiety - Answers Evaluating how anxiety affects sleep, work, relationships,
and quality of life rather than just symptom counts.
Benzodiazepine Safety Risks - Answers Risk of sedation, dependence, cognitive impairment, and falls;
requires patient education and follow-up.
Whole-Person Anxiety Treatment - Answers Combining journaling, CBT, exposure, sleep, nutrition,
exercise, and meds for long-term functioning.
GAD-7 Screen - Answers Validated self-report tool to screen for generalized anxiety and track severity
over time.
GAD-2 Screen - Answers Brief two-item screen; positive results prompt full evaluation with GAD-7
and clinical interview.
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) - Answers Clinician-administered scale evaluating psychic and
somatic anxiety symptoms.
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) - Answers Self-report measure focused on anxiety intensity, particularly
physical and cognitive symptoms.
PHQ-4 Screening Tool - Answers Brief combined anxiety and depression screening tool for initial
assessment.
HADS-A Scale - Answers Emphasizes psychological anxiety symptoms to reduce confounding from
physical illness in medical populations.
OASIS and STAI Scales - Answers Assess anxiety severity, impairment, and state-versus-trait anxiety
patterns.
Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) - Answers Measures frequency and intensity of excessive
worry for GAD assessment and CBT monitoring.
Fear Questionnaire and ASI - Answers Assess phobic avoidance and fear of anxiety-related sensations
to guide exposure targets.
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) - Answers Screens perinatal patients for depression and
anxiety-related distress.
Geriatric Anxiety Scales (GAS, GAI) - Answers Anxiety tools designed for older adults, accounting for
medical illness and aging concerns.
Pediatric Anxiety Tools (SCARED, SCAS) - Answers Age-appropriate tools using parent, teacher, and
child reports to clarify impairment.
Structured Diagnostic Interviews - Answers Systematic assessment of anxiety disorders and
differential diagnoses when symptoms overlap.
Psychiatric Diagnosis Challenges - Answers Requires clinical judgment due to overlapping symptoms,
medical conditions, trauma, and substance use.
Mood Disorders - Answers Conditions marked by clinically significant disturbances in mood, energy,
sleep, cognition, and functioning.
Depressive Episodes - Answers Periods lasting at least two weeks with depressed mood, anhedonia,
sleep or appetite changes, and suicidal thoughts.
Manic vs. Hypomanic Episodes - Answers Elevated or irritable mood with increased energy. Mania
causes marked impairment/hospitalization; hypomania is less severe.
Sleep Disorders (Mood Context) - Answers Conditions like insomnia, hypersomnolence, narcolepsy,
and sleep apnea that disrupt rest and worsen mood symptoms.
Depression Pharmacotherapy - Answers Includes SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, or MAOIs; requires gradual
titration and monitoring due to delayed therapeutic onset.
Bipolar Disorder Management - Answers Involves mood stabilizers (lithium, anticonvulsants) and
antipsychotics, monitoring for mood switching and toxicity.
Sleep Hygiene and Circadian Management - Answers Consistent sleep/wake times, reduced
stimulants/screens, relaxation routines, and behavioral or medical interventions.
Lifestyle Modifications for Mood - Answers Diet, physical activity, structured routines, and social
support paired with psychotherapy and medication.
Pediatric Mood Disorder Presentation - Answers Depression in youth often appears as irritability,
school decline, withdrawal, or somatic complaints rather than sadness.
Medication Management Principles - Answers Selection based on diagnosis and severity; ongoing
monitoring of side effects, adherence, and therapeutic response.
Suicide Risk Assessment Elements - Answers Evaluates intent, plan, lethal means, previous attempts,
protective factors, and uses tools like C-SSRS, PHQ-9, ASQ.
Depression vs. Manic Symptoms - Answers Depression involves low mood and fatigue; mania involves
elevated mood, grandiosity, impulsivity, and increased activity.
Mood Symptom Patterns - Answers Interactions between mood symptoms and sleep disruption,
stress, substance use, and medication adherence.
Medical Mimics of Depression - Answers Vitamin D deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, and chronic
illness that can mimic or worsen depressive symptoms.
Sleep Diary Use - Answers Tracking bedtime, wake time, naps, caffeine, screens, and mood to identify
patterns worsening insomnia.
Patient Education in Mood Disorders - Answers Teaching warning signs, side effects, and sleep
disruption to support timely intervention and shared decision-making.
Safety Planning for Suicidal Ideation - Answers Crisis contacts, lethal means restriction, identification
of support people, and emergency instructions.
Lithium Monitoring Requirements - Answers Serum levels, kidney/thyroid function, hydration, drug
interactions, and toxicity symptoms like tremor or confusion.
Benzodiazepine Precautions - Answers Use cautiously short-term due to sedation, falls, tolerance,
dependence, and interaction with alcohol or opioids.
Suicide Prevention & Lethal Means - Answers Assessing and reducing access to firearms or lethal
means while maintaining rapport and dignity.
Evidence-Based Tools in Mood Practice - Answers C-SSRS, PHQ-9, and ASQ standardize screening,
guide safety planning, and direct levels of care.
Anxiety Definition - Answers A normal response to stress that becomes clinically significant when
worry, fear, or avoidance impairs daily functioning.
Social Anxiety Disorder - Answers Persistent fear of social or performance situations due to concern
over scrutiny, embarrassment, or negative evaluation.
Agoraphobia - Answers Anxiety about situations where escape might be difficult, such as public
transit, crowds, or open spaces, leading to avoidance.
Telehealth in Mental Health - Answers Remote care improving access for transportation barriers or
agoraphobia, requiring privacy and emergency procedures.
DSM-5 Purpose - Answers Diagnostic framework classifying mental conditions, clarifying criteria, and
distinguishing anxiety from medical or substance causes.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety - Answers First-line treatment helping patients
identify distorted thoughts, reduce avoidance, and practice coping skills.
, Exposure Therapy for Anxiety - Answers Gradually exposing patients to feared situations so anxiety
decreases over time and avoidance is unlearned.
Nonpharmacological Anxiety Options - Answers Mindfulness, exercise, sleep routines, reduced
caffeine, relaxation, and Mediterranean or DASH diets.
First-Line Anxiety Medications - Answers SSRIs and SNRIs; other options include buspirone,
hydroxyzine, TCAs, MAOIs, or short-term benzodiazepines.
Anxiety Medication Considerations - Answers Account for sedation, cognitive effects, fall risk,
dependence, interactions, pregnancy status, and comorbidities.
CBT vs. Medication for Anxiety - Answers CBT targets thought patterns and behaviors; medications
reduce symptom intensity and physiologic arousal.
Telehealth vs. In-Person Care - Answers Telehealth reduces barriers for social anxiety/agoraphobia;
in-person is preferred for complex assessment or safety concerns.
Lifestyle Factors in Anxiety - Answers Sleep disruption, stimulants, high stress, and poor nutrition
worsen anxiety; healthy routines reinforce treatment.
Telehealth for Social Anxiety/Agoraphobia - Answers Remote sessions help patients begin treatment
safely before working toward in-person exposure goals.
CBT Journaling - Answers Tracking anxious thoughts, triggers, body sensations, and coping responses
to identify patterns.
Cyberbullying and Child Anxiety - Answers Online harassment contributing to anxiety and depression;
assessment requires evaluating screen use and peer relations.
Telehealth Access and Safety - Answers Verifying privacy, emergency contacts, location, and crisis
procedures during remote sessions.
Functional Assessment in Anxiety - Answers Evaluating how anxiety affects sleep, work, relationships,
and quality of life rather than just symptom counts.
Benzodiazepine Safety Risks - Answers Risk of sedation, dependence, cognitive impairment, and falls;
requires patient education and follow-up.
Whole-Person Anxiety Treatment - Answers Combining journaling, CBT, exposure, sleep, nutrition,
exercise, and meds for long-term functioning.
GAD-7 Screen - Answers Validated self-report tool to screen for generalized anxiety and track severity
over time.
GAD-2 Screen - Answers Brief two-item screen; positive results prompt full evaluation with GAD-7
and clinical interview.
Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) - Answers Clinician-administered scale evaluating psychic and
somatic anxiety symptoms.
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) - Answers Self-report measure focused on anxiety intensity, particularly
physical and cognitive symptoms.
PHQ-4 Screening Tool - Answers Brief combined anxiety and depression screening tool for initial
assessment.
HADS-A Scale - Answers Emphasizes psychological anxiety symptoms to reduce confounding from
physical illness in medical populations.
OASIS and STAI Scales - Answers Assess anxiety severity, impairment, and state-versus-trait anxiety
patterns.
Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) - Answers Measures frequency and intensity of excessive
worry for GAD assessment and CBT monitoring.
Fear Questionnaire and ASI - Answers Assess phobic avoidance and fear of anxiety-related sensations
to guide exposure targets.
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) - Answers Screens perinatal patients for depression and
anxiety-related distress.
Geriatric Anxiety Scales (GAS, GAI) - Answers Anxiety tools designed for older adults, accounting for
medical illness and aging concerns.
Pediatric Anxiety Tools (SCARED, SCAS) - Answers Age-appropriate tools using parent, teacher, and
child reports to clarify impairment.
Structured Diagnostic Interviews - Answers Systematic assessment of anxiety disorders and
differential diagnoses when symptoms overlap.
Psychiatric Diagnosis Challenges - Answers Requires clinical judgment due to overlapping symptoms,
medical conditions, trauma, and substance use.
