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Midterm Study Guide
Differntial Diagnosis (Chamberlain University)
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NR 547 MIDTERM STUDY GUIDE
The NR547 exam questions are taken from the Course Activities, lectures, linked resources and required readings.
Mid-Term Exam: The Mid-Term has 75 questions worth two points each. You will have one attempt to complete the
exam with a time limit of 75 minutes.
Week 1: Foundations in Differential Diagnosis Formulation
1. The differential diagnosis:
1. Importance of the differential diagnosis: critical step in providing safe, quality care. It helps discern
an accurate diagnosis; helps PMHNP gather useful responses to formulate and narrow the list of
potential diagnoses based on client’s presenting symptoms.
2. Analysis of:
a) presenting symptoms: identify symptoms; ask length of time and any fluctuations in severity;
determine presence of stressors included; identify factors that alleviate or exacerbate
symptoms;
b) clinical data such as physical exam: must decide if medical, surgical, or neurological condition
is the cause of mental disorder; once determined that no disease process can be held
accountable, then the diagnosis of a mental health disorder can be made; knowledge and
understanding of physical signs and symptoms enables providers to recognize signs and
symptoms that may indicate possible medical or surgical illness.
c) laboratory analysis: vital in achieving goals of arriving at accurate diagnoses, identifying
medical comorbidities, implementing appropriate treatment, and delivering cost effective care;
CBC, CMP (serum electrolytes, LFTs, BUN, Cr), thyroid function tests, serum B12, vitamin D,
toxicology screen, and urinalysis.
d) Medical history including medications: includes treatments both past and present; past
surgeries should also be reviewed; essential to understand patient’s reaction to illnesses and
coping skills employed; important when determining potential causes of mental illness as well
as comorbid or confounding factors and may dictate possible treatment options or limitations;
Medical illness can precipitate a psychiatric disorder (ex. Anxiety in an individual recently
diagnosed with cancer); Medical illnesses can mimic a psychiatric disorder (ex.
Hyperthyroidism resembling an anxiety disorder); Medical illness can be precipitated by a
psychiatric disorder or its treatment (ex. a metabolic syndrome in a patient on a
secondgeneration antipsychotic medication); Medical illnesses can influence the choice of
treatment of a psychiatric disorder (ex. renal disorder and the use of lithium carbonate); pay
special attention to neurologic issues (seizures, head injury, pain disorder); know any hx of
prenatal or birthing problems or issues with developmental milestones; reproductive and
mensgtrual history is essential as well as a careful assessment of the potential for current or
future pregnancy.
Medications: include all current psych meds and how long they have been used, compliance, effects,
and any side effects; non-psych meds, OTC meds, sleep aids, herbal, and alternative meds should also
be reviewed; it is wise to advise patient should be asked to bring all medications to interview; Allergies
to medications should also be assessed (including which medication and the nature of the extent of and
the treatment of the allergic response)
3. Evidence-based screening tools and psychiatric rating scales
a) Scoring
b) Advantages and disadvantages: key role is to standardize the info collected across time and by
various observers; This standardization ensures a consistent, comprehensive evaluation that
may aid treatment planning by establishing a diagnosis, ensuring a thorough description of
symptoms, identifying comorbid conditions, and characterizing other factors affecting
treatment response. Also, the use of a rating scale can establish a baseline for follow-up of the
progression of an illness over time or in response to specific interventions. helps to monitor
patients over time or for providing information that is more comprehensive that what is
Downloaded by Morris Dylan Steve ()
Midterm Study Guide
Differntial Diagnosis (Chamberlain University)
Scan to open on Studocu
,Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university
Downloaded by Morris Dylan Steve ()
, lOMoARcPSD|27916040
NR 547 MIDTERM STUDY GUIDE
The NR547 exam questions are taken from the Course Activities, lectures, linked resources and required readings.
Mid-Term Exam: The Mid-Term has 75 questions worth two points each. You will have one attempt to complete the
exam with a time limit of 75 minutes.
Week 1: Foundations in Differential Diagnosis Formulation
1. The differential diagnosis:
1. Importance of the differential diagnosis: critical step in providing safe, quality care. It helps discern
an accurate diagnosis; helps PMHNP gather useful responses to formulate and narrow the list of
potential diagnoses based on client’s presenting symptoms.
2. Analysis of:
a) presenting symptoms: identify symptoms; ask length of time and any fluctuations in severity;
determine presence of stressors included; identify factors that alleviate or exacerbate
symptoms;
b) clinical data such as physical exam: must decide if medical, surgical, or neurological condition
is the cause of mental disorder; once determined that no disease process can be held
accountable, then the diagnosis of a mental health disorder can be made; knowledge and
understanding of physical signs and symptoms enables providers to recognize signs and
symptoms that may indicate possible medical or surgical illness.
c) laboratory analysis: vital in achieving goals of arriving at accurate diagnoses, identifying
medical comorbidities, implementing appropriate treatment, and delivering cost effective care;
CBC, CMP (serum electrolytes, LFTs, BUN, Cr), thyroid function tests, serum B12, vitamin D,
toxicology screen, and urinalysis.
d) Medical history including medications: includes treatments both past and present; past
surgeries should also be reviewed; essential to understand patient’s reaction to illnesses and
coping skills employed; important when determining potential causes of mental illness as well
as comorbid or confounding factors and may dictate possible treatment options or limitations;
Medical illness can precipitate a psychiatric disorder (ex. Anxiety in an individual recently
diagnosed with cancer); Medical illnesses can mimic a psychiatric disorder (ex.
Hyperthyroidism resembling an anxiety disorder); Medical illness can be precipitated by a
psychiatric disorder or its treatment (ex. a metabolic syndrome in a patient on a
secondgeneration antipsychotic medication); Medical illnesses can influence the choice of
treatment of a psychiatric disorder (ex. renal disorder and the use of lithium carbonate); pay
special attention to neurologic issues (seizures, head injury, pain disorder); know any hx of
prenatal or birthing problems or issues with developmental milestones; reproductive and
mensgtrual history is essential as well as a careful assessment of the potential for current or
future pregnancy.
Medications: include all current psych meds and how long they have been used, compliance, effects,
and any side effects; non-psych meds, OTC meds, sleep aids, herbal, and alternative meds should also
be reviewed; it is wise to advise patient should be asked to bring all medications to interview; Allergies
to medications should also be assessed (including which medication and the nature of the extent of and
the treatment of the allergic response)
3. Evidence-based screening tools and psychiatric rating scales
a) Scoring
b) Advantages and disadvantages: key role is to standardize the info collected across time and by
various observers; This standardization ensures a consistent, comprehensive evaluation that
may aid treatment planning by establishing a diagnosis, ensuring a thorough description of
symptoms, identifying comorbid conditions, and characterizing other factors affecting
treatment response. Also, the use of a rating scale can establish a baseline for follow-up of the
progression of an illness over time or in response to specific interventions. helps to monitor
patients over time or for providing information that is more comprehensive that what is
Downloaded by Morris Dylan Steve ()
