Primary Care Mental Health and NURS 6501 Examination: PHQ-2 Depression
Screening, PHQ-9 Diagnostic Evaluation, Major Depressive Disorder Criteria,
Fluoxetine Pharmacotherapy, SSRI Adverse Effects, Serotonin Syndrome
Recognition, Discontinuation Syndrome Identification, Bupropion Mechanism of
Action, Alcohol Use Disorder Risk Factors, Substance Withdrawal
Manifestations, Benzodiazepine Sedative Pharmacology, Antidepressant
Initiation Strategies, Grief Versus Major Depression Differentiation, Preoperative
Risk Assessment, ASA Anesthesia Classification, Surgical Cardiac Risk
Stratification, Duke Activity Status Index Functional Capacity Evaluation, STOP-
BANG Obstructive Sleep Apnea Screening, Sexual Assault Clinical Management,
Coronary Artery Disease Decision Rule Assessment, Anaphylaxis Emergency
Treatment Protocol, Neuropsychological Testing for Cognitive Decline,
Concussion Symptom Recognition, Bell’s Palsy Diagnosis and Management,
Vertigo Differential Evaluation, Dix-Hallpike Maneuver Interpretation, Tension
Headache Clinical Features, Migraine Pathophysiology and Treatment Exam
Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest
Updated 2026
What is the role of the primary care provider in mental health?
- Screen for mental health issues
- Improve outcomes and reduce health care costs
- Assess and give care to mild-moderate disorders or patients with stable severe mental
disorders
- From strong links with mental health specialty care for complex cases
Sharing patient info (ex: meds used)
about PHQ2
,- what does it screen for, what are the questions, scoring
- Screens for MDD
- It is the first two questions of the PHQ9
- In the last two week, have you been feeling these (not at all, several days, more than half the
day, nearly everyday):
- Little interest or pleasure in doing things?
- Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?
Scoring:
A single yes or score >3 (out of 0-6) = possible clinical depression ⇒ due the PHQ9
If the pt screens (+) ⇒ continue to eval with the PHQ9
about PHQ9
- what its used for, questions, scoring
Used for screening, diagnosing, and treating
- It asks about functioning impairments which is needed for the DSM-based diagnosis
Includes asking about suicide or hurting self
Scoring:
0-27 available
0-4: Minimal/none
Monitor; may not require treatment
5-9: Mild
, Use clinical judgment; follow-up in one month
10-14: Moderate
Use clinical judgment; may need meds if functionally impaired
15-19: Moderately Severe
Warrants active treatment with psychotherapy, meds, or combo
20-27: Severe
Warrants active treatment with psychotherapy, meds, or combo
What is the appropriate initiation dose for fluoxetine for adults and geriatric adults?
20mg PO once daily in the AM
- May ↑ daily dose after several weeks if inadequate response
- Full therapeutic effect may be delayed 4 weeks or longer
- Max dose: 80mg/day
What labs would be appropriate to draw if you initiate fluoxetine in a geriatric patient?
Sodium levels
- Baseline screening & after 3-4 weeks in high-risk patients (> 65yrs, previous hx of
antidepressant-induced hyponatremia, low body weight, concomitant use of thiazides or other
hyponatremia-inducing agents)
- monitor regularly in the elderly
What are potential side effects of SSRI medications?
- what are the common SSRIs, LEAP of them, and zoloft AE
Common SSRIs:
Screening, PHQ-9 Diagnostic Evaluation, Major Depressive Disorder Criteria,
Fluoxetine Pharmacotherapy, SSRI Adverse Effects, Serotonin Syndrome
Recognition, Discontinuation Syndrome Identification, Bupropion Mechanism of
Action, Alcohol Use Disorder Risk Factors, Substance Withdrawal
Manifestations, Benzodiazepine Sedative Pharmacology, Antidepressant
Initiation Strategies, Grief Versus Major Depression Differentiation, Preoperative
Risk Assessment, ASA Anesthesia Classification, Surgical Cardiac Risk
Stratification, Duke Activity Status Index Functional Capacity Evaluation, STOP-
BANG Obstructive Sleep Apnea Screening, Sexual Assault Clinical Management,
Coronary Artery Disease Decision Rule Assessment, Anaphylaxis Emergency
Treatment Protocol, Neuropsychological Testing for Cognitive Decline,
Concussion Symptom Recognition, Bell’s Palsy Diagnosis and Management,
Vertigo Differential Evaluation, Dix-Hallpike Maneuver Interpretation, Tension
Headache Clinical Features, Migraine Pathophysiology and Treatment Exam
Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest
Updated 2026
What is the role of the primary care provider in mental health?
- Screen for mental health issues
- Improve outcomes and reduce health care costs
- Assess and give care to mild-moderate disorders or patients with stable severe mental
disorders
- From strong links with mental health specialty care for complex cases
Sharing patient info (ex: meds used)
about PHQ2
,- what does it screen for, what are the questions, scoring
- Screens for MDD
- It is the first two questions of the PHQ9
- In the last two week, have you been feeling these (not at all, several days, more than half the
day, nearly everyday):
- Little interest or pleasure in doing things?
- Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?
Scoring:
A single yes or score >3 (out of 0-6) = possible clinical depression ⇒ due the PHQ9
If the pt screens (+) ⇒ continue to eval with the PHQ9
about PHQ9
- what its used for, questions, scoring
Used for screening, diagnosing, and treating
- It asks about functioning impairments which is needed for the DSM-based diagnosis
Includes asking about suicide or hurting self
Scoring:
0-27 available
0-4: Minimal/none
Monitor; may not require treatment
5-9: Mild
, Use clinical judgment; follow-up in one month
10-14: Moderate
Use clinical judgment; may need meds if functionally impaired
15-19: Moderately Severe
Warrants active treatment with psychotherapy, meds, or combo
20-27: Severe
Warrants active treatment with psychotherapy, meds, or combo
What is the appropriate initiation dose for fluoxetine for adults and geriatric adults?
20mg PO once daily in the AM
- May ↑ daily dose after several weeks if inadequate response
- Full therapeutic effect may be delayed 4 weeks or longer
- Max dose: 80mg/day
What labs would be appropriate to draw if you initiate fluoxetine in a geriatric patient?
Sodium levels
- Baseline screening & after 3-4 weeks in high-risk patients (> 65yrs, previous hx of
antidepressant-induced hyponatremia, low body weight, concomitant use of thiazides or other
hyponatremia-inducing agents)
- monitor regularly in the elderly
What are potential side effects of SSRI medications?
- what are the common SSRIs, LEAP of them, and zoloft AE
Common SSRIs:
