Which statement accurately describes the scoring cutoffs and ranges for the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 screening tools?

Which statement accurately describes the scoring cutoffs and ranges for the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 screening tools?

• A. PHQ-9 Ranges 0-27; Cutoffs 5 Mild, 10 Moderate, 15 Moderately Severe, 20 Severe.
• B. GAD-7 Ranges 0-21; Cutoffs 4 Mild, 8 Moderate, 12 Severe.
• C. PHQ-9 Ranges 0-30; Cutoffs 5, 10, 15, 20.
• D. PHQ-9 Ranges 0-27; Cutoffs 0, 5, 10, 15.

Answer: (A)

Understanding how these screening tools are scored helps you interpret what the total means for a patient. The PHQ-9 sums 9 depressive symptoms with each item scored 0–3, giving a total range of 0–27. The standard interpretation uses cutoffs of 5 for mild, 10 for moderate, 15 for moderately severe, and 20 for severe. This matches the statement describing PHQ-9. For the GAD-7, the total ranges from 0–21, with cutoffs at 5 for mild, 10 for moderate, and 15 for severe. The other options mix up either the ranges or the cutoff points (for example, PHQ-9 isn’t 0–30, and GAD-7 isn’t 4, 8, 12). So the PHQ-9 description in the statement is correct, and a complete answer would also correctly state the GAD-7 ranges and cutoffs.

Understanding how these screening tools are scored helps you interpret what the total means for a patient. The PHQ-9 sums 9 depressive symptoms with each item scored 0–3, giving a total range of 0–27. The standard interpretation uses cutoffs of 5 for mild, 10 for moderate, 15 for moderately severe, and 20 for severe. This matches the statement describing PHQ-9.

For the GAD-7, the total ranges from 0–21, with cutoffs at 5 for mild, 10 for moderate, and 15 for severe. The other options mix up either the ranges or the cutoff points (for example, PHQ-9 isn’t 0–30, and GAD-7 isn’t 4, 8, 12). So the PHQ-9 description in the statement is correct, and a complete answer would also correctly state the GAD-7 ranges and cutoffs.