PRIMARY CARE MANAGEMENT OF
ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS GUIDE FINAL
2026 COMPREHENSIVE TEST PAPER
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWER
◉ What does a score of 8-16 on the Hamilton Depression Rating
Scale (HAM-D) indicate? Answer: Mild depression
◉ What does a score of 17-23 on the Hamilton Depression Rating
Scale (HAM-D) indicate? Answer: Moderate depression
◉ What does a score of 24 or higher on the Hamilton Depression
Rating Scale (HAM-D) indicate? Answer: Severe depression
◉ How are items on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)
scored? Answer: Each item is scored 0-2 or 0-4, depending on
severity.
◉ What type of tool is the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-
D)? Answer: A clinician administered tool used to assess the severity
of depression symptoms.
,◉ What aspects of depression does the Hamilton Depression Rating
Scale (HAM-D) evaluate? Answer: Psychological and physical aspects
of depression.
◉ HAM-D 17 Components Answer: Mood
Guilt Feelings
SI
Insomnia
Work and Activities
Psychomotor Agitation or retardation
Anxiety (psychological and somatic symptoms)
Somatic symptoms
Hypochondriasis
Loss of weight
Insight
◉ Limitation of HAM-D rating scale Answer: More focused on
somatic symptoms which can over estimate depression in medically
ill patients
◉ Alternative to HAM-D Scale Answer: Montgomery-Ashberg
Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) which is better for tracking and
treatment response
,◉ Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) Answer: Consists of yes/no
questions that assess emotional, cognitive, and behavioral
symptoms of depresion in older adults. It avoids somatic symptoms
that may overlap with medical conditions
◉ Key Areas assessed in GDS Answer: Mood and Enjoyment
Energy Levels
Social Withdrawal
Feelings of Hopelessness
Memory Concerns
Anxiety and Worry
Suicidal Thoughts
◉ Scoring GDS Answer: 1 point of each depressed response
Yes to negative statements and no to positive statements
◉ Scoring Interpretation of GDS-30 Answer: 0-30
0-9 Normal (no depression)
10-19 Mild Depression
20-30 Moderate to Severe Depression
, ◉ Scoring Interpretation GDS-15 Answer: 0-15
Shorter version
0-4: Normal (No depression)
5-8: Mild Depression
9-11: Moderate Depression
12-15: Severe Depression
◉ Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) Answer: self report tool
for screening, diagnosing, and monitoring depression. Based on the
DSM-5 criteria for MDD and evaluates symptom severity over the
past two weeks
◉ Components of the PHQ-9 Answer: Nine Symptom Domains
1. Anhedonia
2. Depressed Mood
3. Sleep Problems
4. Fatigue
5. Appetite Changes
6. Low Self Worth
ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS GUIDE FINAL
2026 COMPREHENSIVE TEST PAPER
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWER
◉ What does a score of 8-16 on the Hamilton Depression Rating
Scale (HAM-D) indicate? Answer: Mild depression
◉ What does a score of 17-23 on the Hamilton Depression Rating
Scale (HAM-D) indicate? Answer: Moderate depression
◉ What does a score of 24 or higher on the Hamilton Depression
Rating Scale (HAM-D) indicate? Answer: Severe depression
◉ How are items on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)
scored? Answer: Each item is scored 0-2 or 0-4, depending on
severity.
◉ What type of tool is the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-
D)? Answer: A clinician administered tool used to assess the severity
of depression symptoms.
,◉ What aspects of depression does the Hamilton Depression Rating
Scale (HAM-D) evaluate? Answer: Psychological and physical aspects
of depression.
◉ HAM-D 17 Components Answer: Mood
Guilt Feelings
SI
Insomnia
Work and Activities
Psychomotor Agitation or retardation
Anxiety (psychological and somatic symptoms)
Somatic symptoms
Hypochondriasis
Loss of weight
Insight
◉ Limitation of HAM-D rating scale Answer: More focused on
somatic symptoms which can over estimate depression in medically
ill patients
◉ Alternative to HAM-D Scale Answer: Montgomery-Ashberg
Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) which is better for tracking and
treatment response
,◉ Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) Answer: Consists of yes/no
questions that assess emotional, cognitive, and behavioral
symptoms of depresion in older adults. It avoids somatic symptoms
that may overlap with medical conditions
◉ Key Areas assessed in GDS Answer: Mood and Enjoyment
Energy Levels
Social Withdrawal
Feelings of Hopelessness
Memory Concerns
Anxiety and Worry
Suicidal Thoughts
◉ Scoring GDS Answer: 1 point of each depressed response
Yes to negative statements and no to positive statements
◉ Scoring Interpretation of GDS-30 Answer: 0-30
0-9 Normal (no depression)
10-19 Mild Depression
20-30 Moderate to Severe Depression
, ◉ Scoring Interpretation GDS-15 Answer: 0-15
Shorter version
0-4: Normal (No depression)
5-8: Mild Depression
9-11: Moderate Depression
12-15: Severe Depression
◉ Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) Answer: self report tool
for screening, diagnosing, and monitoring depression. Based on the
DSM-5 criteria for MDD and evaluates symptom severity over the
past two weeks
◉ Components of the PHQ-9 Answer: Nine Symptom Domains
1. Anhedonia
2. Depressed Mood
3. Sleep Problems
4. Fatigue
5. Appetite Changes
6. Low Self Worth
