PSYCH Exam Questions (100+ Qs) – Geriatric Delirium, Dementia Types, Depression, SSRIs | Arizona State University

This PSYCH: Spear Geriatrics exam document from Arizona State University (2025/2026 edition) contains over 100 expertly verified questions and answers focused on geriatric psychiatry, with a strong emphasis on delirium, dementia, and depression in older adults. It is structured for advanced learners in healthcare, psychology, and clinical settings, emphasizing both diagnostic accuracy and safe pharmacologic intervention in elderly populations. Key topics include: 4 M’s of Age-Friendly Healthcare: Mentation, Mobility, Medications, and what Matters Delirium: Common causes (polypharmacy, infection, sensory loss, surgery), symptoms (hallucinations, acute confusion), diagnostic criteria via CAM, and prevention strategies through the HELP program Beers List Medications: Benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and anticholinergics to avoid in older adults Dementia: Diagnostic tools: MiniCog, MoCA, SLUMS, MMSE, Neuropsychiatric testing Types and features: Alzheimer’s (plaques, tangles) Frontotemporal dementia (language and behavioral changes) Lewy Body Dementia (UE rigidity, hallucinations) Vascular dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob, Huntington’s, and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Functional staging using ADLs/iADLs First-line treatment options: AChE inhibitors (donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine), NMDA antagonist (memantine), SSRIs, and stimulants for symptom support Depression in Aging: Use of PHQ-2/9 and GDS, along with clear comparisons to grief for diagnostic clarity SSRIs in Elderly: Pharmacokinetics (half-lives of sertraline, fluoxetine, paroxetine, etc.), and considerations for treatment safety Dementia vs. Parkinson’s vs. Lewy Body Dementia: Differentiation based on symptom timeline and anatomical progression This document is essential for: Students and professionals in geriatric psychiatry, nursing, clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and internal medicine Learners preparing for exams, OSCEs, licensing tests, or geriatrics rotations Healthcare providers managing cognitive, behavioral, and pharmacological care in aging populations Each question is designed for high-impact learning, combining clinical precision with memory-enhancing explanations. Keywords: PSYCH, geriatrics, delirium, dementia types, Alzheimer’s, Lewy body dementia, depression in elderly, SSRIs, CAM screening, Beers list, AChE inhibitors, NMDA antagonist, PHQ-9, age-friendly care, Arizona State University