Cory is a 23-year-old male recently incarcerated in the county correction facility for a 9-month sentence following his third conviction for battery. As part of an early release program he is required to participate in therapy. During his initial interview he is very pleasant and engaged, expressing no anxiety or distress with his current circumstances. His psychiatric history is significant for numerous adolescent episodes of running away, truancy, and substance abuse. As a young adult he reportedly has not held a steady job, but rather is constantly coming up with money making schemes that typically take advantage of someone vulnerable or unsuspecting. Given the likely diagnosis, evidence-based practice suggests that Cory may:

A. Have a family history of the same disorder

B. Respond well to dialectical behavioral therapy

C. Have impaired emotional defense mechanisms

D. Come from a small nuclear family
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAeH0K2ad30&list=PLf0PFEPBXfq5HGfNV-GbOlYHtDwd35OeG&index=24

Trudy L. is a 29-year-old female patient who initiated care because she feels like she has no energy. She just had her annual wellness exam and her primary care provider told her that she is in excellent health. Because she complained about this excessive fatigue, her PCP performed a CBC, CMP, UA and thyroid function tests and told her that, along with her physical examination, everything looks normal. Further discussion reveals that Trudy is having some relationship challenges with her boyfriend of two years and this seems to be “spilling over” at work where she is having persistent conflict with her supervisor. Ultimately the PMHNP diagnoses Trudy with major depressive disorder, mild, single episode. The PMHNP and Trudy discuss treatment options, and Trudy would really like to try non-pharmacologic interventions. Which of the following represents the best approach for Trudy?

A. Family therapy

B. Behavioral therapy

C. Psychoanalytic therapy

D. Interpersonal therapy
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJM5SjnOkkI&list=PLf0PFEPBXfq5HGfNV-GbOlYHtDwd35OeG&index=23

Anthony is a 41-year-old male patient who presents for evaluation. His wife made the appointment because she is worried about him, and she says he would never seek care on his own. Reportedly, Anthony has become progressively withdrawn over the last few months, and actually is in danger of losing his job because he misses so many days. He has been evaluated by his primary care provider and has no apparent medical conditions. His wife reports that he has been diagnosed with depression in the past and has even taken medication that seemed to help. This time he just refused to pursue care. After a comprehensive assessment the PMHNP diagnoses the patient with major depressive episode with psychotic features. Which of the following options would be the best choice of initial medication therapy for Anthony?

A. Venlafaxine and clozapine

B. Fluoxetine and olanzapine

C. Amitriptyline and haloperidol

D. Paroxetine and buspirone
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5Hkph0iX4s&list=PLf0PFEPBXfq5HGfNV-GbOlYHtDwd35OeG&index=22