NR 547 Final Week 5: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Depression & Bipolar
Disorders Across the Lifespan | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified
Answers) – Champion Nursing Program
Subject: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) – Depression Screening, Bipolar
Disorder, Differential Diagnosis, Pharmacotherapy, Lab Monitoring
Source: NR 547 Final Week 5 / DSM-5-TR / Clinical Practice Guidelines (2026/2027 Update)
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationales | Grade A Guaranteed
1. Which populations should be screened for depression across the lifespan according to clinical
guidelines?
Correct Answer: 12-18 years old, adults 18 and older, pregnant and postpartum females (at 1, 2, and 4
months), and adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems
1. The USPSTF recommends depression screening for adolescents aged 12-18 and all adults 18+,
including pregnant and postpartum women. The AAP specifically recommends screening at 1, 2,
and 4-month well-child visits.
2. Early identification improves outcomes, especially in perinatal populations where untreated
depression affects both mother and infant.
2. What is the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and how are its scores interpreted?
Correct Answer: Clinician-administered, 24 items rated 0-4 or 0-2 assessing guilt, suicidal thoughts,
and sleep habits. Scores: 10-13 Mild, 14-17 Mild-Moderate, >17 Moderate to Severe
1. The HAM-D is the most commonly used clinician-rated scale in depression research. It takes
15-20 minutes to administer.
2. A score of ≥18 is typically required for clinical trial enrollment for major depression. The scale
focuses more on somatic and melancholic features.
3. What is the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale and how is it interpreted?
Correct Answer: 20 items. <34 normal, >50 depressed. Provides a global index of intensity of patient's
symptoms including affect.
1. The Zung scale is a self-report measure that assesses cognitive, affective, and somatic
symptoms of depression.
2. Scores between 34-50 indicate mild to moderate depression. It is useful for tracking symptom
changes over time.
4. What is the Raskin Depression Scale and how is it interpreted?
Correct Answer: Clinician-rated, measures severity using a 5-point scale across 3 dimensions (verbal,
behaviors, and secondary symptoms). <3 normal, >7 is depressed.
1. The Raskin Scale assesses verbal reports of depression, observed depressed behavior, and
secondary symptoms (sleep, appetite, energy).
2. It is brief and useful for rapid clinical assessment, often used in combination with other scales.
, 5. What is the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and how are its scores interpreted?
Correct Answer: Self-report inventory, 9 items rated over the last 2 weeks. 1-4 minimal, 5-9 mild, 10-
14 moderate, 15-19 moderately severe, 20-27 severe depression.
1. The PHQ-9 is the most widely used depression screening tool in primary care. It also includes
a functional impairment question and a suicide risk item.
2. A score of 10+ has 88% sensitivity and specificity for major depression.
6. What is the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and when should treatment be
initiated?
Correct Answer: Self-administered, 10 items rated 0-3. Scores above 12 should be treated for
depression.
1. The EPDS is validated for pregnancy and postpartum use. It includes a question about self-
harm that requires immediate follow-up.
2. A score of ≥10 warrants further assessment; ≥12 is the typical threshold for treatment initiation.
7. What is the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and who is it for?
Correct Answer: Self-reported screen, 27 items scored 0-2 for symptoms from the last 2 weeks,
screens severity of depression in children and adolescents ages 7-17.
1. The CDI is one of the most widely used self-report measures for childhood depression. It
assesses five factors: negative mood, interpersonal problems, ineffectiveness, anhedonia, and
negative self-esteem.
8. When should you consider Bipolar disorder versus Unipolar depression?
Correct Answer: Bipolar indications: early age onset, psychotic depression before 25, postpartum
depression with psychosis, rapid onset and offset (within 3 months), recurrent episodes, psychomotor
retardation, atypical features, seasonal pattern, family history of hypomania, poor response to
antidepressants, mixed states.
1. These "red flags" should trigger screening for bipolar disorder before initiating antidepressant
monotherapy, which can induce mania in susceptible individuals.
2. The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is a validated screening tool for bipolar spectrum
disorders.
9. What are the indications for using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)?
Correct Answer: Short questionnaire for those who are easily fatigued or have limited concentration,
age 55 and older. Depression symptoms may not meet full criteria for MDD.
1. The GDS avoids somatic symptoms common in aging (fatigue, sleep changes) that could
falsely elevate scores on other scales.
2. It is available in 15-item and 30-item versions. The yes/no format is easier for older adults.
10. How is the Geriatric Depression Scale scored?
Correct Answer: 15 questions, scored 0 or 1. >5 suggests depression; 5-8 mild, 9-11 moderate, 12-15
severe.
1. A score of 5 or higher warrants further evaluation. The GDS-15 is preferred in clinical settings
due to brevity.
Disorders Across the Lifespan | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified
Answers) – Champion Nursing Program
Subject: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) – Depression Screening, Bipolar
Disorder, Differential Diagnosis, Pharmacotherapy, Lab Monitoring
Source: NR 547 Final Week 5 / DSM-5-TR / Clinical Practice Guidelines (2026/2027 Update)
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationales | Grade A Guaranteed
1. Which populations should be screened for depression across the lifespan according to clinical
guidelines?
Correct Answer: 12-18 years old, adults 18 and older, pregnant and postpartum females (at 1, 2, and 4
months), and adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems
1. The USPSTF recommends depression screening for adolescents aged 12-18 and all adults 18+,
including pregnant and postpartum women. The AAP specifically recommends screening at 1, 2,
and 4-month well-child visits.
2. Early identification improves outcomes, especially in perinatal populations where untreated
depression affects both mother and infant.
2. What is the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and how are its scores interpreted?
Correct Answer: Clinician-administered, 24 items rated 0-4 or 0-2 assessing guilt, suicidal thoughts,
and sleep habits. Scores: 10-13 Mild, 14-17 Mild-Moderate, >17 Moderate to Severe
1. The HAM-D is the most commonly used clinician-rated scale in depression research. It takes
15-20 minutes to administer.
2. A score of ≥18 is typically required for clinical trial enrollment for major depression. The scale
focuses more on somatic and melancholic features.
3. What is the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale and how is it interpreted?
Correct Answer: 20 items. <34 normal, >50 depressed. Provides a global index of intensity of patient's
symptoms including affect.
1. The Zung scale is a self-report measure that assesses cognitive, affective, and somatic
symptoms of depression.
2. Scores between 34-50 indicate mild to moderate depression. It is useful for tracking symptom
changes over time.
4. What is the Raskin Depression Scale and how is it interpreted?
Correct Answer: Clinician-rated, measures severity using a 5-point scale across 3 dimensions (verbal,
behaviors, and secondary symptoms). <3 normal, >7 is depressed.
1. The Raskin Scale assesses verbal reports of depression, observed depressed behavior, and
secondary symptoms (sleep, appetite, energy).
2. It is brief and useful for rapid clinical assessment, often used in combination with other scales.
, 5. What is the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and how are its scores interpreted?
Correct Answer: Self-report inventory, 9 items rated over the last 2 weeks. 1-4 minimal, 5-9 mild, 10-
14 moderate, 15-19 moderately severe, 20-27 severe depression.
1. The PHQ-9 is the most widely used depression screening tool in primary care. It also includes
a functional impairment question and a suicide risk item.
2. A score of 10+ has 88% sensitivity and specificity for major depression.
6. What is the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and when should treatment be
initiated?
Correct Answer: Self-administered, 10 items rated 0-3. Scores above 12 should be treated for
depression.
1. The EPDS is validated for pregnancy and postpartum use. It includes a question about self-
harm that requires immediate follow-up.
2. A score of ≥10 warrants further assessment; ≥12 is the typical threshold for treatment initiation.
7. What is the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and who is it for?
Correct Answer: Self-reported screen, 27 items scored 0-2 for symptoms from the last 2 weeks,
screens severity of depression in children and adolescents ages 7-17.
1. The CDI is one of the most widely used self-report measures for childhood depression. It
assesses five factors: negative mood, interpersonal problems, ineffectiveness, anhedonia, and
negative self-esteem.
8. When should you consider Bipolar disorder versus Unipolar depression?
Correct Answer: Bipolar indications: early age onset, psychotic depression before 25, postpartum
depression with psychosis, rapid onset and offset (within 3 months), recurrent episodes, psychomotor
retardation, atypical features, seasonal pattern, family history of hypomania, poor response to
antidepressants, mixed states.
1. These "red flags" should trigger screening for bipolar disorder before initiating antidepressant
monotherapy, which can induce mania in susceptible individuals.
2. The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is a validated screening tool for bipolar spectrum
disorders.
9. What are the indications for using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)?
Correct Answer: Short questionnaire for those who are easily fatigued or have limited concentration,
age 55 and older. Depression symptoms may not meet full criteria for MDD.
1. The GDS avoids somatic symptoms common in aging (fatigue, sleep changes) that could
falsely elevate scores on other scales.
2. It is available in 15-item and 30-item versions. The yes/no format is easier for older adults.
10. How is the Geriatric Depression Scale scored?
Correct Answer: 15 questions, scored 0 or 1. >5 suggests depression; 5-8 mild, 9-11 moderate, 12-15
severe.
1. A score of 5 or higher warrants further evaluation. The GDS-15 is preferred in clinical settings
due to brevity.
