Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam

What are the standard cut-offs for the Beck Depression Inventory scale?

1. 0-9= mild, 10-18= moderate, 19-29= severe, 30-63= very severe

2. 0-9= not depressed, 10-18= mild to moderate, 19-29= moderate to severe, 30-63= severe depression

3. 0-9= depressed, 10-18= no depression, 19-29= mild depression, 30-63= chronic depression

4. 0-9= normal, 10-18= mildly anxious, 19-29= moderately anxious, 30-63= severely anxious

The correct answer is: 0-9= not depressed, 10-18= mild to moderate, 19-29= moderate to severe, 30-63= severe depression

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a widely used self-report tool that assesses the presence and severity of depressive symptoms. The standard cut-offs for the BDI scale categorize the results into different levels of depression, which helps in interpreting the severity of an individual's condition. The correct cut-off values indicate that scores from 0 to 9 suggest the individual is not experiencing significant depressive symptoms, with 10 to 18 representing mild to moderate depression, 19 to 29 indicating moderate to severe depression, and scores from 30 to 63 reflecting severe depression. This categorization is based on research and clinical practice, making it a reliable framework for understanding the range of depressive symptoms. By accurately classifying the severity of depression, this information is essential for guiding treatment decisions and assessing the efficacy of interventions over time. Using these established cut-offs allows mental health professionals to communicate clearly about a patient's level of depression, which is critical for both diagnosis and treatment planning.