A 23-year-old woman presents to the PMHNP with a chief complaint of "nervous tension." After a full evaluation and the administration of the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), the PMHNP diagnoses her with generalized anxiety disorder. He plans to use today's HAM-A score as a baseline and then readminister the scale at every follow-up appointment to monitor treatment. Her score today is 20. What does this score indicate?
Mild anxiety
Minimal anxiety
Moderate anxiety
Severe anxiety
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Mild anxiety is characterized by tension or nervousness that is noticeable but does not significantly impair daily functioning. A HAM-A score of 20 exceeds the typical cutoff for mild anxiety, suggesting more pronounced symptom severity.
Choice B reason: Minimal anxiety refers to very low levels of anxious symptoms, often with minimal physiological or cognitive impact. A score of 20 indicates a higher level of distress than would be considered minimal.
Choice C reason: Moderate anxiety includes more obvious psychological and physical symptoms that interfere somewhat with daily life. A HAM-A score of 20 falls within this range, indicating the patient has significant but not severe anxiety.
Choice D reason: Severe anxiety involves intense distress and impairment in daily functioning. A HAM-A score of 20 is below the threshold for severe anxiety, which typically starts at higher scores.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: The left parietal lobe is more involved with language and calculation rather than visuospatial processing.
Choice B reason: The right parietal lobe is responsible for visuospatial processing, including tasks like clock drawing, which require integrating visual information and spatial orientation.
Choice C reason: The temporal lobe is primarily involved in memory, hearing, and language comprehension, not visuospatial construction.
Choice D reason: The occipital lobe processes basic visual input but does not integrate spatial and constructional aspects required for complex visuospatial tasks like clock drawing.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Bipolar I disorder requires at least one manic episode, not just hypomania, making this inconsistent with the presentation.
Choice B reason: Bipolar II disorder is characterized by at least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode without a history of full mania, matching the client’s symptoms.
Choice C reason: Cyclothymic disorder involves chronic, milder mood fluctuations but does not meet criteria for full hypomanic or major depressive episodes.
Choice D reason: Schizoaffective disorder includes mood episodes along with psychotic symptoms, which are not reported in this client’s history.
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