Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam

How is the severity of depression measured using the PHQ-9?

1. By the number of answers indicating anxiety

2. By the total score, where a higher score indicates more severe depression

3. By subjective interpretation of patient responses

4. By comparing with previous medical history

The correct answer is: By the total score, where a higher score indicates more severe depression

The PHQ-9, or Patient Health Questionnaire-9, is a widely used tool for assessing the severity of depression based on the total score derived from a series of standardized questions. Each of the nine items on the questionnaire corresponds to one of the criteria for diagnosing major depressive disorder, allowing for a systematic evaluation of the patient's symptoms over the past two weeks. A higher total score on the PHQ-9 directly correlates with more severe depressive symptoms. Specifically, scores range from 0 to 27, with predefined cut-off points that categorize the severity of depression: 0-4 indicates minimal depression, 5-9 suggests mild depression, 10-14 reflects moderate depression, 15-19 shows moderately severe depression, and 20 or more indicates severe depression. This scoring system provides a measurable and objective means to assess the patient's mental health status, facilitating appropriate treatment planning and monitoring of progress over time. Other methods, such as subjective interpretations or comparisons with medical history, do not offer the same level of standardized measurement. While patient history and responses to symptoms are invaluable, they do not quantitatively define the severity of depression in the same manner as the structured scoring of the PHQ-9.