Mental Health Flashcards
6 cards from real AANP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Mental Health flashcards as text
A patient who survived a serious car accident 2 months ago now has nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance of driving, and emotional numbing. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is diagnosed when trauma-related symptoms including intrusion, avoidance, negative cognitions, and hyperarousal persist for more than 1 month after a traumatic event.
Which medication is FDA-approved as a first-line pharmacological treatment for PTSD?
Answer: Sertraline
Sertraline and paroxetine are the only FDA-approved medications for PTSD; benzodiazepines are not recommended due to risk of dependence and potential worsening of PTSD.
A patient presents with a 2-week history of depressed mood, anhedonia, hypersomnia, psychomotor retardation, and suicidal ideation. What is the minimum duration criterion for major depressive disorder?
Answer: 2 weeks
DSM-5 requires symptoms of major depressive disorder to be present for at least 2 weeks and represent a change from previous functioning for the diagnosis.
A patient on lithium for bipolar disorder develops coarse tremor, confusion, and vomiting after starting a new NSAID. What is the most likely cause?
Answer: Lithium toxicity due to reduced renal clearance
NSAIDs decrease renal prostaglandin synthesis and reduce renal lithium excretion, leading to lithium accumulation and toxicity.
Which screening tool is validated for detecting depression in the primary care setting?
Answer: PHQ-9
The PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) is a validated, widely used screening and severity assessment tool for major depressive disorder in primary care.
What is the most appropriate initial intervention for a patient who discloses active suicidal ideation with a plan and access to a firearm?
Answer: Initiate an emergency psychiatric evaluation or involuntary hold
Active suicidal ideation with a specific plan and means (firearm access) represents an acute psychiatric emergency requiring immediate intervention and safety evaluation.