Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam

In the PHQ-9, what score indicates minimal depression?

1. 1-4

2. 5-9

3. 10-14

4. 15-19

The correct answer is: 1-4

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a widely used tool for screening and measuring the severity of depression based on the frequency of depressive symptoms experienced over the past two weeks. A score in the range of 1 to 4 indicates minimal depression, reflecting the absence of significant impairment in daily functioning due to depressive symptoms. Scores in this range suggest that the individual may experience occasional symptoms, but they are likely not severe or persistent enough to warrant a diagnosis of depression or necessary intervention. This scoring system allows clinicians to quickly assess the severity of depression and to monitor changes over time, clinical responses to treatments, or the need for further assessment. The other score ranges correspond to increasing levels of depression severity, with corresponding implications for treatment and management.