Pysch questions
44. Which patient presentation is most consistent with the diagnosis of depression?
A. recurrent diarrhea and cramping
B. difficulty initiating sleep
C. diminished cognitive ability
D. consistent early morning wakening
45. According to DSM-5, a diagnosis of depression must include either depressed mood or
which of the following?
A. loss of interest or pleasure
B. recurrent thoughts of death
C. feelings of worthlessness
D. weight change (either increase or decrease)
49. Which of the following statements is false regarding patients with depression and
hypochondriasis?
A. About 30% of patients with depression also have hypochondriasis.
B. A person with this condition is less likely to see a healthcare provider compared with those
with depression alone.
C. A person with this condition is unable to process objective information that he/she has no
particular health problem.
D. The person with hypochondriasis perceives that an existing health problem is far more
serious than it is in reality.
50. Of the following individuals in need of an antidepressant, who is the best candidate for
fluoxetine (Prozac®) therapy?
A. an 80-year-old woman with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and osteoarthritis and with
persistent depressed mood 1 year after the death of her husband
B. a 45-year-old man with mild hepatic dysfunction
C. a 28-year-old man who occasionally “skips a dose” of his prescribed medication
D. a 44-year-old woman with decreased appetite
51. In caring for elderly patients, the NP considers that all of the following is true except:
A. many older patients with dementia have a component of depression.
B. dementia signs and symptoms usually evolve over months, but depression usually has a more
rapid onset.
C. with dementia, a patient is aware of difficulties with cognitive ability.
D. treating concurrent depression can help improve symptoms of dementia.
52. Persistent depressive disorder (formerly known as dysthymia) is characterized by:
A. suicidal thoughts.
B. multiple incidents of harming oneself.
C. social isolation.
, D. low level depression.
53. Which of the following is most consistent with the diagnosis of persistent depressive
disorder?
A. a 23-year-old man with a 2-month episode of depressed mood after a job loss
B. a 45-year-old woman with “jitteriness” and difficulty initiating sleep for the past 6 months
C. a 38-year-old woman with fatigue and anhedonia for the past 2 years
D. a 15-year-old boy with a school adjustment problem and weekend marijuana use for the past
year
54. Successful treatment of persistent depressive disorder typically involves:
A. psychotherapy alone.
B. a psychotropic agent alone.
C. psychotherapy plus a psychotropic agent.
D. electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
55. John is a 47-year-old man who reports constant sadness following the death of his wife in a
motor vehicle accident 3 weeks ago. He has not been able to function at work and avoids
socializing with friends and family. You recommend:
A. giving him time and support during this period of acute grief.
B. weekly psychotherapy sessions.
C. prescribing an anxiolytic to help with grief symptoms.
D. psychotherapy plus a prescription for an antidepressant.
56. Successful treatment of a patient with reactive depression associated with a loss (e.g., death
of a loved one) would expect all of the following results except:
A. elevated mood.
B. restored function.
C. improved decision-making ability.
D. elimination of sadness.
57. Drug treatment options for a patient with bipolar disorder often include all of the following
except:
A. atomoxetine (Strattera®).
B. lithium carbonate.
C. risperidone (Risperdal®).
D. valproic acid (Depakote®).
58. Which of the following drugs is likely to be the most dangerous when taken in an intentional
overdose equivalent to a standard adult therapeutic dose?
A. a 4-week supply of paroxetine
B. a 2-week supply of amitriptyline
C. a 3-week supply of duloxetine
D. a 5-day supply of alprazolam
44. Which patient presentation is most consistent with the diagnosis of depression?
A. recurrent diarrhea and cramping
B. difficulty initiating sleep
C. diminished cognitive ability
D. consistent early morning wakening
45. According to DSM-5, a diagnosis of depression must include either depressed mood or
which of the following?
A. loss of interest or pleasure
B. recurrent thoughts of death
C. feelings of worthlessness
D. weight change (either increase or decrease)
49. Which of the following statements is false regarding patients with depression and
hypochondriasis?
A. About 30% of patients with depression also have hypochondriasis.
B. A person with this condition is less likely to see a healthcare provider compared with those
with depression alone.
C. A person with this condition is unable to process objective information that he/she has no
particular health problem.
D. The person with hypochondriasis perceives that an existing health problem is far more
serious than it is in reality.
50. Of the following individuals in need of an antidepressant, who is the best candidate for
fluoxetine (Prozac®) therapy?
A. an 80-year-old woman with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and osteoarthritis and with
persistent depressed mood 1 year after the death of her husband
B. a 45-year-old man with mild hepatic dysfunction
C. a 28-year-old man who occasionally “skips a dose” of his prescribed medication
D. a 44-year-old woman with decreased appetite
51. In caring for elderly patients, the NP considers that all of the following is true except:
A. many older patients with dementia have a component of depression.
B. dementia signs and symptoms usually evolve over months, but depression usually has a more
rapid onset.
C. with dementia, a patient is aware of difficulties with cognitive ability.
D. treating concurrent depression can help improve symptoms of dementia.
52. Persistent depressive disorder (formerly known as dysthymia) is characterized by:
A. suicidal thoughts.
B. multiple incidents of harming oneself.
C. social isolation.
, D. low level depression.
53. Which of the following is most consistent with the diagnosis of persistent depressive
disorder?
A. a 23-year-old man with a 2-month episode of depressed mood after a job loss
B. a 45-year-old woman with “jitteriness” and difficulty initiating sleep for the past 6 months
C. a 38-year-old woman with fatigue and anhedonia for the past 2 years
D. a 15-year-old boy with a school adjustment problem and weekend marijuana use for the past
year
54. Successful treatment of persistent depressive disorder typically involves:
A. psychotherapy alone.
B. a psychotropic agent alone.
C. psychotherapy plus a psychotropic agent.
D. electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
55. John is a 47-year-old man who reports constant sadness following the death of his wife in a
motor vehicle accident 3 weeks ago. He has not been able to function at work and avoids
socializing with friends and family. You recommend:
A. giving him time and support during this period of acute grief.
B. weekly psychotherapy sessions.
C. prescribing an anxiolytic to help with grief symptoms.
D. psychotherapy plus a prescription for an antidepressant.
56. Successful treatment of a patient with reactive depression associated with a loss (e.g., death
of a loved one) would expect all of the following results except:
A. elevated mood.
B. restored function.
C. improved decision-making ability.
D. elimination of sadness.
57. Drug treatment options for a patient with bipolar disorder often include all of the following
except:
A. atomoxetine (Strattera®).
B. lithium carbonate.
C. risperidone (Risperdal®).
D. valproic acid (Depakote®).
58. Which of the following drugs is likely to be the most dangerous when taken in an intentional
overdose equivalent to a standard adult therapeutic dose?
A. a 4-week supply of paroxetine
B. a 2-week supply of amitriptyline
C. a 3-week supply of duloxetine
D. a 5-day supply of alprazolam
