NR547 / NR 547 FINAL STUDY GUIDE –
PMHNP EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | 100%
CORRECT.
When do you consider Unipolar versus Bipolar depression - ANS Unipolar major depression
(major depressive disorder) is characterized by a history of one or more major depressive
episodes (table 3) and no history of mania (table 1) or hypomania
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) - ANS Scoring Instructions. Score 1 point for each bolded
answer. A score of 5 or more suggests depression.
Self-reporting tool that may be used to diagnose and treat depression
Geriatric Depression Scale - ANS The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a self-report
measure of depression in older adults. Users respond in a "Yes/No" format. The GDS was
originally developed as a 30-item instrument. Since this version proved both time-consuming
and difficult for some patients to complete, a 15-item version was developed. The shortened
form (GDS-S) is comprised of 15 items chosen from the Geriatric Depression Scale-Long Form
(GDS-L). These 15 items were chosen because of their high correlation with depressive
symptoms in previous validation studies
Geriatric Depression Scale: Targeted Population - ANS he GDS may be used with healthy,
medically ill and mild to moderately cognitively impaired older adults. It has been extensively
used in community, acute care, and long-term care settings.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 24
,Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Score - ANS Pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, or
combination treatment indicated of the 15 items, 10 indicated the presence of depression when
answered positively, while the rest (question numbers 1, 5, 7, 11, 13) indicated depression when
answered negatively.
Scores of 0-4 are considered normal, depending on age, education, and complaints; (No
Treatment)
5-8 indicate mild depression; (Pharmacologic or psychotherapeutic treatment may be indicated
Base treatment on duration of symptoms and functional impairment
9-11 indicate moderate depression; (Pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, or combination
treatment indicated)
12-15 indicate severe depression.(Pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, or combination treatment
indicated
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Indication for Intervention - ANS The presence of
depression warrants prompt intervention and treatment. The GDS may be used to monitor
depression over time in all clinical settings.
Any positive score above 5 on the GDS Short Form should prompt an in-depth psychological
assessment and evaluation for suicidality.
Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9] - ANS A brief 9-item self-report questionnaire used as a
screening tool to assess severity of depression; widely used by health care providers, in validity
is well established, particularly for identifying severe depression.
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) - ANS Widely used to screen for depression and to
measure behavioral manifestations and severity of depression.
The BDI can be used for ages 13 to 80. The inventory contains 21 self-report items which
individuals complete using multiple choice response formats.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 24
, The BDI takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Validity and reliability of the BDI has been
tested across populations, worldwide.
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) - ANS Designed for use in the
general population and is now used as a screener for depression in primary care settings.
It includes 20 self-report items, scored on a 4-point scale, which measure major dimensions of
depression experienced in the past week.
The CES-D can be used for children as young as 6 and through older adulthood. It has been
tested across gender and cultural populations and maintains consistent validity and reliability.
The scale takes about 20 minutes to administer, including scoring.
EQ-5D - ANS The EQ-5D is a standardized, non-disease specific instrument for describing and
evaluating health-related quality of life. The instrument measures quality of life in five
dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression.
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) - ANS
Mood Disorders: Depression - ANS Sadness, lethargy, inactivity and feelings of helplessness
and hopelessness
Genetic link
Behavioral changes: slower motor reactions
Cognitive changes: cognitive distortions
Physical changes: alters immune functioning
PQ9 Scores - ANS Depression Severity
5 - 9Mild
10 - 14Moderate
15 - 19Moderately Severe
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 24
PMHNP EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | 100%
CORRECT.
When do you consider Unipolar versus Bipolar depression - ANS Unipolar major depression
(major depressive disorder) is characterized by a history of one or more major depressive
episodes (table 3) and no history of mania (table 1) or hypomania
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) - ANS Scoring Instructions. Score 1 point for each bolded
answer. A score of 5 or more suggests depression.
Self-reporting tool that may be used to diagnose and treat depression
Geriatric Depression Scale - ANS The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a self-report
measure of depression in older adults. Users respond in a "Yes/No" format. The GDS was
originally developed as a 30-item instrument. Since this version proved both time-consuming
and difficult for some patients to complete, a 15-item version was developed. The shortened
form (GDS-S) is comprised of 15 items chosen from the Geriatric Depression Scale-Long Form
(GDS-L). These 15 items were chosen because of their high correlation with depressive
symptoms in previous validation studies
Geriatric Depression Scale: Targeted Population - ANS he GDS may be used with healthy,
medically ill and mild to moderately cognitively impaired older adults. It has been extensively
used in community, acute care, and long-term care settings.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 24
,Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Score - ANS Pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, or
combination treatment indicated of the 15 items, 10 indicated the presence of depression when
answered positively, while the rest (question numbers 1, 5, 7, 11, 13) indicated depression when
answered negatively.
Scores of 0-4 are considered normal, depending on age, education, and complaints; (No
Treatment)
5-8 indicate mild depression; (Pharmacologic or psychotherapeutic treatment may be indicated
Base treatment on duration of symptoms and functional impairment
9-11 indicate moderate depression; (Pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, or combination
treatment indicated)
12-15 indicate severe depression.(Pharmacologic, psychotherapeutic, or combination treatment
indicated
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Indication for Intervention - ANS The presence of
depression warrants prompt intervention and treatment. The GDS may be used to monitor
depression over time in all clinical settings.
Any positive score above 5 on the GDS Short Form should prompt an in-depth psychological
assessment and evaluation for suicidality.
Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9] - ANS A brief 9-item self-report questionnaire used as a
screening tool to assess severity of depression; widely used by health care providers, in validity
is well established, particularly for identifying severe depression.
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) - ANS Widely used to screen for depression and to
measure behavioral manifestations and severity of depression.
The BDI can be used for ages 13 to 80. The inventory contains 21 self-report items which
individuals complete using multiple choice response formats.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 24
, The BDI takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Validity and reliability of the BDI has been
tested across populations, worldwide.
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) - ANS Designed for use in the
general population and is now used as a screener for depression in primary care settings.
It includes 20 self-report items, scored on a 4-point scale, which measure major dimensions of
depression experienced in the past week.
The CES-D can be used for children as young as 6 and through older adulthood. It has been
tested across gender and cultural populations and maintains consistent validity and reliability.
The scale takes about 20 minutes to administer, including scoring.
EQ-5D - ANS The EQ-5D is a standardized, non-disease specific instrument for describing and
evaluating health-related quality of life. The instrument measures quality of life in five
dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression.
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) - ANS
Mood Disorders: Depression - ANS Sadness, lethargy, inactivity and feelings of helplessness
and hopelessness
Genetic link
Behavioral changes: slower motor reactions
Cognitive changes: cognitive distortions
Physical changes: alters immune functioning
PQ9 Scores - ANS Depression Severity
5 - 9Mild
10 - 14Moderate
15 - 19Moderately Severe
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 24
