From Textbook (Diagnostic Test Vocabulary) - Unit 14: Psychiatry

drug level

Blood test to determine the level of an antipsychotic drug in patients who are noncompliant with taking their medicines.

urine test for drugs

Urine test to detect illegal drugs

CT scan or MRI scan

Procedure used to document loss of brain tissue or structural abnormalities of the brain that might be related to a psychiatric disorder

PET scan

Procedure that shows areas of abnormal metabolism in the brain related to dementia and Alzheimer's disease

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

Screening tool that is filled out by the patient to assess the degree of depression. Each item offers four answers that show progressively more depressed emotions: I do not feel sad (0 points), I feel sad (1 point), I am sad all the time (2 points), and I am so sad I can't stand it (3 points). The patient selects the statement that most closely matches his/her feelings.

Holmes Social Readjustment Rating Scale

Test that rates and assigns point values to various stressors (negative and positive life events) to measure the amount of stress in a patient's life: death of spouse (100 points), divorce (73 points), death of family member (63 points), personal illness (53 points), marriage (50 points), retirement (45 points), pregnancy (40 points), change in finances (38 points), change in jobs (36 points), change in schools (25 points), vacation (13 points), and Christmas (12 points)

intelligence testing

Intelligence tests are administered if the patient is suspected of having any degree of mental impairment or retardation

psychiatric diagnosis

Diagnosis of any mental or psychiatric illnesses. It is stated in a specific way, as required by the American Psychiatric Association's publication Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5).

psychiatric interview

Technique that provides insights into the patient's mental illness. It can be done in a psychiatrist's office or clinic or during admission to an acute care hospital or psychiatric hospital. The patient (or other person if the patient is unable to answer) is asked why he/she came for care, who brought him/her for care, what stressors are going on in his/her life, and about any previous psychiatric illness. The psychiatrist notes the patient's general appearance and behavior and listens to the patient's answers to analyze speech, content of thoughts, abstract reasoning, insight, and judgment.

Rorschach test

Test that uses a set of cards with black-and-white abstract shapes on them. Patients are asked to describe what the shape of the inkblot represents to them. It is also known as the inkblot test.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

Test that assesses personality, emotions, attitudes, motivation, and conflicts. The patient is shown 31 different pictures of social or interpersonal situations. The patient describes what is happening in the picture or what the theme of the picture is.