Assessment tools have two primary purposes: 1) to measure illness and diagnose clients, and 2) to measure a client’s response to treatment. Often, you will find that multiple assessment tools are designed to measure the same condition or response. Not all tools, however, are appropriate for use in all clinical situations. You must consider the strengths and weaknesses of each tool to select the appropriate assessment tool for your client. For this Discussion, as you examine the assessment tool assigned to you by the Course Instructor, consider its use in psychotherapy.

· Consider the elements of the psychiatric interview, history, and examination.

· Choose one of the assessment tool below.

· Mood Disorders Scales:

· Beck Depression Inventory, 2nd Revision (BDI-II)

· Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)

· Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

· Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS)

· Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)

Post a brief explanation of three important components of the psychiatric interview and why you consider these elements important. Explain the psychometric properties of the rating scale you choose. Explain when it is appropriate to use this rating scale with clients during the psychiatric interview and how the scale is helpful to a nurse practitioner’s psychiatric assessment. Support your approach with evidence-based literature.

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