CMN 548-805 Unit 1
Exam The Psychiatric
History Questions and
Complete Solutions
Graded A+
How long should it take to obtain history of present illness (HPI)? - Answer: about 10 minutes
Common questions to obtain HPI? - Answer: What has been happening over past week or two that
brought you into the clinic? Have there been any events that you think have caused your problem or
made it worse? Have you sought treatment for this problem?
What is the time a current psychiatric crisis usually has been ongoing? - Answer: 1-4 weeks
If one wants to focus HPI on the "history of the syndrome" approach instead of current crisis, what are
good questions? - Answer: When did you first begin having these kinds of problems? When was the last
time you remember feeling perfectly well? Now lets talk about the current episode, when did it start?
Most psychiatric episodes have something that precipitated the current episode such as a stressor. How
to find out what it is if patient doesn't know. - Answer: ask questions about common triggers such as
arguments, feelings of rejection or abandonment, death/illness of loved one, anniversary of negative
event (divorce, death), medical illness or age related problems, stressful events at work/school, mental
health clinician on vacation, noncompliance with meds, substance abuse.
What to do first when patient mentions depressed mood (or other problems)? - Answer: Immediately
check if patient meets diagnostic criteria for depression or other condition. For depression SIG E CAPS
Exam The Psychiatric
History Questions and
Complete Solutions
Graded A+
How long should it take to obtain history of present illness (HPI)? - Answer: about 10 minutes
Common questions to obtain HPI? - Answer: What has been happening over past week or two that
brought you into the clinic? Have there been any events that you think have caused your problem or
made it worse? Have you sought treatment for this problem?
What is the time a current psychiatric crisis usually has been ongoing? - Answer: 1-4 weeks
If one wants to focus HPI on the "history of the syndrome" approach instead of current crisis, what are
good questions? - Answer: When did you first begin having these kinds of problems? When was the last
time you remember feeling perfectly well? Now lets talk about the current episode, when did it start?
Most psychiatric episodes have something that precipitated the current episode such as a stressor. How
to find out what it is if patient doesn't know. - Answer: ask questions about common triggers such as
arguments, feelings of rejection or abandonment, death/illness of loved one, anniversary of negative
event (divorce, death), medical illness or age related problems, stressful events at work/school, mental
health clinician on vacation, noncompliance with meds, substance abuse.
What to do first when patient mentions depressed mood (or other problems)? - Answer: Immediately
check if patient meets diagnostic criteria for depression or other condition. For depression SIG E CAPS
