NR 547 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | 100%
CORRECT.
What does a score of 0-7 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) indicate? -
ANS Normal (no depression)
What does a score of 8-16 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) indicate? -
ANS Mild depression
What does a score of 17-23 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) indicate? -
ANS Moderate depression
What does a score of 24 or higher on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) indicate? -
ANS Severe depression
How are items on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) scored? - ANS Each item is
scored 0-2 or 0-4, depending on severity.
What type of tool is the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)? - ANS 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? -
ANS Psychological and physical aspects of depression.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 88
,HAM-D 17 Components - ANS 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 - ANS More focused on somatic symptoms which can over
estimate depression in medically ill patients
Alternative to HAM-D Scale - ANS Montgomery-Ashberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
which is better for tracking and treatment response
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) - ANS 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 - ANS Mood and Enjoyment
Energy Levels
Social Withdrawal
Feelings of Hopelessness
Memory Concerns
Anxiety and Worry
Suicidal Thoughts
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 88
,Scoring GDS - ANS 1 point of each depressed response
Yes to negative statements and no to positive statements
Scoring Interpretation of GDS-30 - ANS 0-30
0-9 Normal (no depression)
10-19 Mild Depression
20-30 Moderate to Severe Depression
Scoring Interpretation GDS-15 - ANS 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) - ANS 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 - ANS Nine Symptom Domains
1. Anhedonia
2. Depressed Mood
3. Sleep Problems
4. Fatigue
5. Appetite Changes
6. Low Self Worth
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 88
, 7. Concentration Issues
8. Psychomotor Changes
9. Suicidal Thoughts
PHQ-9 Scoring Interpretation - ANS Each question is scored:
0=Not at all
1= Several Days
2= More than half the days
3= Nearly Every Day
Total Score: 0-27
PHQ-9 Depression Severity Levels - ANS 0-4: Minimal or No depression
5-9: Mild Depression
10-14: Moderate Depression
15-19: Moderately Severe Depression
20-27: Severe Depression
Clinica Use of the PHQ-9 - ANS Score >= 10: Possible clinical depression, further evaluation
needed
Score >=15: Likely MDD, consider therapy and/or medication
Score >=20: Severe Depression, requires urgent intervention
Mood Disorder Questionnaire - ANS screening tool used for Bipolar Disorder, and helps
differentiate bipolar disorder from unipolar depression and other mood disorders
Consists of three parts, assessing lifetime history of manic or hypomanic symptoms
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 4 OF 88
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | 100%
CORRECT.
What does a score of 0-7 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) indicate? -
ANS Normal (no depression)
What does a score of 8-16 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) indicate? -
ANS Mild depression
What does a score of 17-23 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) indicate? -
ANS Moderate depression
What does a score of 24 or higher on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) indicate? -
ANS Severe depression
How are items on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) scored? - ANS Each item is
scored 0-2 or 0-4, depending on severity.
What type of tool is the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)? - ANS 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? -
ANS Psychological and physical aspects of depression.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 88
,HAM-D 17 Components - ANS 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 - ANS More focused on somatic symptoms which can over
estimate depression in medically ill patients
Alternative to HAM-D Scale - ANS Montgomery-Ashberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
which is better for tracking and treatment response
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) - ANS 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 - ANS Mood and Enjoyment
Energy Levels
Social Withdrawal
Feelings of Hopelessness
Memory Concerns
Anxiety and Worry
Suicidal Thoughts
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 88
,Scoring GDS - ANS 1 point of each depressed response
Yes to negative statements and no to positive statements
Scoring Interpretation of GDS-30 - ANS 0-30
0-9 Normal (no depression)
10-19 Mild Depression
20-30 Moderate to Severe Depression
Scoring Interpretation GDS-15 - ANS 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) - ANS 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 - ANS Nine Symptom Domains
1. Anhedonia
2. Depressed Mood
3. Sleep Problems
4. Fatigue
5. Appetite Changes
6. Low Self Worth
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 88
, 7. Concentration Issues
8. Psychomotor Changes
9. Suicidal Thoughts
PHQ-9 Scoring Interpretation - ANS Each question is scored:
0=Not at all
1= Several Days
2= More than half the days
3= Nearly Every Day
Total Score: 0-27
PHQ-9 Depression Severity Levels - ANS 0-4: Minimal or No depression
5-9: Mild Depression
10-14: Moderate Depression
15-19: Moderately Severe Depression
20-27: Severe Depression
Clinica Use of the PHQ-9 - ANS Score >= 10: Possible clinical depression, further evaluation
needed
Score >=15: Likely MDD, consider therapy and/or medication
Score >=20: Severe Depression, requires urgent intervention
Mood Disorder Questionnaire - ANS screening tool used for Bipolar Disorder, and helps
differentiate bipolar disorder from unipolar depression and other mood disorders
Consists of three parts, assessing lifetime history of manic or hypomanic symptoms
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 4 OF 88
